Key takeaways
- Landlords with qualifying income over £30,000 in 2025/26 must keep digital records and file quarterly updates under Making Tax Digital from 6 April 2027.
- Hammock's plans ran from £8 a month plus VAT for 1 to 3 properties when checked on 6 November 2026, with MTD filing on every plan.
- FreeAgent's unincorporated landlord plan costs £10 a month plus VAT, or £5 a month for the first six months, and is free with a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account.
- Coconut's MTD filing plan was listed at £129.99 a year, including quarterly updates and the year-end submission.
- Xero lists all four UK plans as MTD for Income Tax ready, from £18 a month plus VAT for Ignite.
- Landlord Vision prices by tenancy, with its 4-tenancy Starter plan shown at £7.99 a month on a two-year 60% discount.
- Before you buy, check the product is listed on HMRC's MTD for Income Tax software finder for UK property income.
The right accounting software for a landlord is one that tracks income and costs per property and files Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax returns, since landlords with qualifying income over £30,000 must use MTD from 6 April 2027. This page lists six products alphabetically, using each provider’s own pricing page checked on 6 November 2026. We do not rank them; the right choice depends on how many properties you have and what else you do.
Quick comparison of landlord software prices
Entry prices range from about £50 a year to £18 a month. All prices below exclude VAT unless the provider did not say.
| Product | Entry price | MTD for Income Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut | £49.99 a year (Bridging) | Quarterly updates |
| FreeAgent | £10 a month (landlord plan) | Yes |
| Hammock | £8 a month (1 to 3 properties) | Yes, all plans |
| Landlord Vision | £7.99 a month (offer) | Yes, all plans |
| QuickBooks | Not displayed | Listed as MTD ready |
| Xero | £18 a month (Ignite) | Yes, all plans |
Prices change often, and several pages showed introductory offers. Check the provider’s page on the day you sign up.
Landlord-specific products
Hammock and Landlord Vision are built for landlords, so they organise records by property or tenancy.
Hammock charges by property count. Its pricing page listed Basic (1 to 3 properties) at £8 a month, Standard (4 to 10) at £15, Plus (11 to 20) at £25 and Beyond (21 or more) at £31.50, all plus VAT. Annual billing saves 20%. Every plan includes MTD quarterly updates and the final declaration, and there is a 30-day free trial.
Landlord Vision charges by active tenancy, not property. Its Starter plan for 4 tenancies showed £7.99 a month with 60% off for two years; Premium (15 tenancies) showed £39.97 and Enterprise (25) £84.97, excluding VAT. The Standard price did not display correctly when we checked, so confirm it before buying. MTD is included on every plan, with a 2-week trial.
Our landlord software comparison covers both in more detail.
General accounting software with landlord plans
General packages suit landlords who also have self-employed income, because one subscription covers both.
Coconut supports self-employment and property income, including the SA105 property pages. Its MTD Bridging plan was £49.99 a year, with a further £49.99 for the year-end submission. The MTD filing plan was £129.99 a year (or £12.99 a month) including the year-end submission. Coconut’s page did not say whether prices include VAT.
FreeAgent has a dedicated unincorporated landlord plan at £10 a month plus VAT, or £5 a month for the first six months. It includes property finances, which tracks income and costs per property, and MTD quarterly updates and final declarations. It is free with a business current account from NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank.
QuickBooks says its MTD solutions help self-employed businesses and landlords. Its UK pricing page showed “loading live prices” when we checked, so we cannot quote a figure. Sole Trader Plus, Simple Start, Essentials and Plus are listed as MTD for Income Tax ready.
Xero lists four UK plans: Ignite at £18, Grow at £39, Comprehensive at £55 and Ultimate at £70 a month, all plus VAT. New customers were offered 90% off for six months. Xero lists all four as MTD for Income Tax ready, but the pricing page shows no property-specific features.
What landlord software needs to do
Landlord software needs to keep digital records and send them to HMRC through an API. Check for these features:
- Per-property tracking, so you can see which property makes a profit
- Bank feeds to pull in rent and costs automatically
- Allowable expense categories, such as repairs, insurance and letting agent fees
- Mortgage interest handled separately, because relief on residential finance costs is restricted to the basic rate
- Joint ownership support, if you own with a spouse or partner
- MTD quarterly updates and the final declaration, filed from the software
HMRC’s guide to working out your rental income lists the costs you can deduct. You can claim the £1,000 property allowance instead of expenses, but not both.
Do you need MTD software yet?
You need MTD software if your qualifying income from property and self-employment is above the threshold. HMRC’s eligibility guidance, updated 26 March 2026, sets the dates.
| Qualifying income | Tax year measured | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Over £50,000 | 2024/25 | 6 April 2026 |
| Over £30,000 | 2025/26 | 6 April 2027 |
| Over £20,000 | 2026/27 | 6 April 2028 |
Qualifying income is gross income before expenses, not profit. Our guide to MTD for Income Tax for landlords explains how it applies to jointly owned property.
Which applies to you?
- If you have a few rental properties and nothing else, compare Hammock, Landlord Vision and FreeAgent’s landlord plan.
- If you are also a sole trader, a general package such as Coconut, FreeAgent, QuickBooks or Xero covers both income types in one place.
- If you already bank with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank, FreeAgent may cost nothing.
- If you want the lowest outlay and already keep a spreadsheet, look at bridging options; see our free MTD software guide.
- If your qualifying income is under £20,000, you are not yet required to join MTD.
What to do now
- Work out your qualifying income for 2025/26 with our MTD checker.
- Count your properties and tenancies, since that sets the price on Hammock and Landlord Vision.
- Check the product on HMRC’s software finder, selecting UK property income.
- Use the free trial to connect your bank and test a quarterly update.
- Estimate your bill with the rental income tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Do landlords have to use accounting software?
Only if you are in Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Landlords with qualifying income over £30,000 in 2025/26 must use MTD-compatible software from 6 April 2027.
What is the cheapest landlord software that files MTD returns?
On the prices we checked on 6 November 2026, Coconut’s Bridging plan (£49.99 a year plus £49.99 for the year-end submission) and FreeAgent’s landlord plan (free with some NatWest group accounts) had the lowest outlay. Offers change, so compare on the day.
Can I use Xero as a landlord?
Yes. Xero lists all its UK plans as MTD for Income Tax ready, starting with Ignite at £18 a month plus VAT. Its pricing page does not list property-specific features, so test per-property tracking in the trial.
Does FreeAgent have a plan for landlords?
Yes. FreeAgent’s unincorporated landlord plan costs £10 a month plus VAT, with property finances and MTD filing included.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.