Software
Choosing MTD software for landlords.
There are well over a hundred products on HMRC's list. Most 'best MTD software' lists are written by one of them. Here's a plainer way to choose: work out which kind of product fits how you run your lets, then check five things.
Checked against HMRC guidance on
We make Quartax, so we're one of the options below. We've tried to describe every kind fairly, including where we're not the right fit.
The five kinds of MTD software
| Kind | Examples | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landlord accounting | Hammock, Landlord Studio, Landlord Vision | Several properties, per-property profit, bank feeds | Monthly fees; more to learn |
| Free landlord platforms | Latch, LandlordOS, RentalBux | Small portfolios happy to try newer tools | Limits, early-access terms, how long free lasts |
| General bookkeeping | Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent | Sole traders with invoices, or an accountant who uses it | Overkill for a couple of lets |
| Spreadsheet bridges | 123 Sheets and others | People who already keep good spreadsheets | You still type every line |
| Bank statement in, update out | Quartax | Simple lets, no bookkeeping wanted, no bank feed | Not built for invoicing or large portfolios |
Which suits you
- One to three lets, rent through one account, no appetite for bookkeeping: a bank-statement tool or a simple landlord app.
- Four or more properties, and you want profit per property: landlord accounting software with bank feeds.
- You already keep a tidy spreadsheet: a bridge is the smallest change.
- You bank with NatWest, RBS, Ulster or Mettle: check FreeAgent, which is free with those accounts.
- You have an accountant: ask what they use, and whether they want read-only access to your figures.
Five checks before you sign up
- Is it on HMRC's list for Income Tax, for UK property (and self-employment if you need it)?
- Can it file the final declaration, not just quarterly updates? About a third can't yet.
- Does it handle joint ownership, so you report your share, not 100% of a joint account? How joint ownership works.
- What does it cost after the free period, per year, including VAT?
- Can you leave easily? Look for a data export, and remember updates are cumulative, so switching mid-year is possible.
Where Quartax fits. You upload a CSV bank statement (or type in totals), check what we've sorted into HMRC's categories, and send. We file quarterly updates and the final declaration for property and self-employment, handle joint-ownership shares, and give your accountant read-only access if you want. £39 a year after a free first quarter. If you need invoicing, payroll or detailed per-property accounts, one of the other kinds will suit you better.
Products and prices change often. We checked this guide in October 2026; confirm details with each provider.