DIY property management software for landlords who manage their own lets
Published · Updated
Gaffy is for UK landlords who self-manage. Tenants report repairs through a link. You keep a maintenance inbox, your tradespeople, and the gas safety, EICR and EPC files, with a reminder before they expire.
Do I need property management software if I manage my own lets?
It depends. Self-managing is not a small letting agency: you need a repair report with a photo that you can still find, the certificates and their dates, and the number of the person who fixes things. You do not need owner statements, a works-order department or tenant screening on day one. Gaffy does not do accounting, Making Tax Digital or rent collection. As of 2026, the first month is free, then £12 a month for up to 5 properties, plus £4 a month for each extra property. The longer page is property management software for landlords.
As of 2026, the first month is free, with no card. After that it is £12 a month for up to 5 properties, then £4 a month for each extra property. You can try the tenant repair form without an account. Nothing you type there is saved.
What DIY landlords actually need
Self-managing is not a small version of a letting agency. You do not need owner statements, a works-order department, or a screening product on day one. You need three things that currently live in different apps:
- A way for the tenant to report a repair, with a photo, that you will still find next week.
- The paperwork for that property, especially the certificates and their dates.
- The phone number of the person who actually fixes things.
That is the job. Accounting is a different job. We say so below, and we link to people who do it.
What you get
Tenant repair link, no app
Each property has a link. The tenant opens it in the browser, describes the problem and can attach photos. There is nothing for them to install, and nothing for you to chase them to log into.
Maintenance inbox and repair history
The report lands in an inbox against that property. You can see what is new, what is booked and what is done, and you keep the history of that repair rather than scrolling a chat.
Document vault with expiry reminders
Gas safety (CP12), EICR and EPC files sit on the property, with the expiry date. Gaffy flags what has expired and what is due. Leases, invoices and other PDFs can live there too. We remind you. We do not book the engineer.
Contacts for tradespeople
Keep your own plumber, electrician and the rest. Gaffy does not dispatch a contractor and it does not take a cut of the job.
What Gaffy doesn't do
Gaffy does not do accounting or Making Tax Digital, it does not collect the rent, and it does not screen tenants. If the books are the problem, start with DIY landlord accounting or the wider best landlord software UK comparison, where August, Landlord Studio, Hammock and PaTMa are the accounting options we checked.
Gaffy and a spreadsheet plus WhatsApp
| Job | Spreadsheet and WhatsApp | Gaffy |
|---|---|---|
| Tenant reports a repair | A message, somewhere in a chat | A link, filed on the property |
| Photos | Camera roll or the chat | On the repair |
| What happened last time | Scroll, or hope you remember | Repair history on the property |
| Certificate expiry | A date in a cell, if you typed it | A date on the file, with a reminder |
| Tradesperson's number | Contacts, or an old message | Contacts, next to the property |
| The tax return | Your spreadsheet or accountant | Still your spreadsheet or accountant |
WhatsApp is a good way to say the plumber is on the way. It is a poor filing cabinet. A spreadsheet is a good ledger. It is a poor inbox. Use each for the job it is good at. The longer version is Gaffy vs spreadsheets, and the set of comparisons is on Compare.
Pricing
As of 2026, the first month is free. After that, £12 a month covers up to 5 properties. Each property after the fifth is £4 a month. A portfolio of 6 is £16, 8 is £24 and 10 is £32.
| Properties | Monthly price after the free first month |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | £12 |
| 6 | £16 |
| 8 | £24 |
| 10 | £32 |
| 15 | £52 |
| 20 | £72 |
| 30 | £112 |
If you are past a handful of doors, the property portfolio software page prices 10, 15, 20 and 30 properties on the same formula.
Company
Gaffy is a tenant repair link, a maintenance inbox, and a document vault with gas safety, EICR and EPC reminders. It is a trading name of FORTYFOUR8 LTD, company number 17474844. Read about Gaffy.
DIY property management software FAQs
What is DIY property management software?
Software for landlords who manage their own lets, rather than a package built for a letting agency. In Gaffy's case that means a repair link for tenants, a maintenance inbox, contacts for tradespeople, and a place to keep certificates.
Do my tenants need to download an app?
No. They use a link. It opens in the browser, they describe the problem and can add photos.
How much does Gaffy cost?
The first month is free. After that it is £12 a month for up to 5 properties, then £4 a month for each extra property. Six properties is £16 a month and ten is £32 a month.
Does Gaffy collect rent or do my tax?
No. Gaffy does not collect rent, screen tenants, or do accounting and Making Tax Digital.
Can I add my existing gas safety, EICR and EPC certificates?
Yes. Add the file to that property's document vault and record the expiry date. Gaffy can then show you when it is due.