St Ives is a market town on the River Great Ouse in Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, located 8 miles east of Huntingdon and 12 miles north-west of Cambridge. The town is directly served by the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway — a dedicated bus rapid transit route to Cambridge city centre (Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge North, and the Biomedical Campus) in approximately 40 minutes, making St Ives one of the most well-connected Cambridge commuter towns in the county. Entry prices for semi-detached and detached properties range from £200,000–£380,000 with gross yields of 5–8%. Huntingdonshire District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (in force 1 May 2026) applies to all private rented properties in England including St Ives, abolishing Section 21, converting all new lets to periodic tenancies from day one, and requiring mandatory Property Portal registration and PRS Ombudsman membership.
Huntingdonshire District Council landlord licensing
Licensing requirements for St Ives landlords:
- Huntingdonshire District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme — always verify the current position with the council before letting
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households — apply to Huntingdonshire District Council
- HMO licence conditions include minimum room sizes, fire detection, annual gas safety certificate, 5-yearly EICR, and deposit protection
- The Renters' Rights Act 2025 Property Portal and PRS Ombudsman registration (mandatory from 1 May 2026) are additional to any local licensing
- Selective licensing can be introduced by any council with 10 weeks' consultation notice — check Huntingdonshire District Council's website before letting
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — key obligations for St Ives landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including St Ives operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025:
- Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished — all possessions must use a statutory ground from the new Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988
- Fixed-term tenancies cannot be granted for new lets from 1 May 2026 — all tenancies are periodic from the first day
- Tenants can end any tenancy with two months' written notice at any time
- Property Portal registration is mandatory before any property can be let — the Portal opens 1 May 2026
- PRS Ombudsman membership is mandatory from 1 May 2026 for all private landlords in England
- Rent increases must use the statutory Section 13 notice — contractual rent review clauses have no effect
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
EPC compliance for St Ives landlords:
- Current minimum: EPC Band E — properties below Band E cannot be let without a valid PRS Exemptions Register entry
- EPC Band C is confirmed government policy for 2030 — new lets from 2028 are likely to require Band C
- St Ives has a mix of Victorian town centre properties, inter-war semis, and newer developments — commission a fresh RdSAP 10 assessment to identify the most cost-effective Band C route
- If improvement costs exceed the proposed £15,000 cost cap without reaching Band C, register a cost cap exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register
- Newer 1980s and 1990s developments in St Ives are more likely to already meet Band C — check your EPC before commissioning unnecessary improvements
Gas and electrical safety
Safety certificate requirements for St Ives rental properties:
- Annual gas safety check (CP12) by a Gas Safe registered engineer — mandatory under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
- CP12 must be provided to new tenants before occupation and to existing tenants within 28 days of each annual check
- Five-yearly EICR — mandatory for all private rented properties in England; code C1/C2 defects must be fixed within 28 days
- Smoke alarms required on every storey; carbon monoxide alarms in every room with a gas appliance
- Victorian and older town-centre properties in St Ives should be prioritised for EICR if no certificate has been obtained within the past 5 years
Deposit protection
Tenancy deposit obligations for St Ives landlords:
- All deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme — DPS, myDeposits or TDS — within 30 days of receipt
- Prescribed Information must be served on the tenant within 30 days of receiving the deposit
- Maximum deposit: 5 weeks' rent for annual rents under £50,000; 6 weeks' rent for annual rents over £50,000
- At St Ives's higher rent levels, carefully compute 5 weeks' rent before collecting the deposit
- Failure to protect on time prevents valid Section 8 service and exposes the landlord to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit
St Ives Cambridgeshire investment case
Buy-to-let fundamentals for St Ives investors:
- Gross yields of 5–8% on entry prices of £200,000–£380,000 — moderate yields reflecting the premium Cambridge commuter location and Guided Busway connectivity
- Cambridgeshire Guided Busway provides dedicated rapid transit to Cambridge city centre in approximately 40 minutes — covering the Biomedical Campus, Addenbrooke's, Cambridge North tech cluster, and Cambridge University
- Huntingdon (8 miles west, mainline rail to London King's Cross in 50 minutes) provides an additional London commuter option
- River Great Ouse setting, market town character, excellent schools, and Cambridge connectivity attract professional and academic tenants willing to pay premium rents
- No selective licensing simplifies compliance — low void rates in this tightly supplied Cambridge commuter market support consistent rental income
Frequently asked questions
Does St Ives Cambridgeshire have selective licensing?+
No. Huntingdonshire District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households. Always verify with Huntingdonshire District Council before letting.
When does the Renters' Rights Act apply to St Ives Cambridgeshire landlords?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and applies to all private rented properties in England, including St Ives. Section 21 is abolished, all new lets are periodic, and landlords must register on the Property Portal and join the PRS Ombudsman.
What EPC band does my St Ives Cambridgeshire rental property need?+
Currently Band E is the minimum. The Government has confirmed Band C as the target by 2030. St Ives has a mix of property ages — commission an RdSAP 10 assessment to identify the most cost-effective improvement route. Register a cost cap exemption if improvement costs exceed £15,000.
Is St Ives Cambridgeshire a good buy-to-let location?+
St Ives offers 5–8% gross yields on entry prices of £200,000–£380,000. The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway to Cambridge (40 min), Huntingdon rail to London (50 min), and a premium market town setting support consistent professional and academic tenant demand with low voids.