MTD software for landlords: what it has to do, and how to choose
Your MTD software must create, store and correct digital records of your property income and expenses, send quarterly updates to HMRC, and submit your tax return by 31 January after the tax year [1]. HMRC says to choose software before you sign up [1]. Landlord-focused options include Hammock (from £8 + VAT a month for 1 to 3 properties) [3], Landlord Vision (MTD submissions on every plan) [4] and August (MTD reporting on paid plans from £8.99 a month) [5]. Gaffy isn't MTD software; we handle repairs and certificates alongside it.
Published · Updated
MTD software for landlords is commercial software that works with HMRC's Making Tax Digital for Income Tax service. If you're in scope, you can't send quarterly updates or file your return under MTD without it. You need commercial software for this, and HMRC can't advise on specific products, so choosing well matters [1][2].
What MTD software for landlords must do
According to HMRC, you or your agent need software that can [1]:
- Create, store and correct digital records of your self-employment and property income and expenses.
- Send quarterly updates: summaries of income and expenses, not tax returns.
- Add other income and submit your tax return by 31 January the following year.
You only need digital records for self-employment and property income. Other income, such as pensions or savings, is added on your return [1].
Types of MTD software
HMRC describes different types of compatible software [1]. In practice, landlords choose between:
- All-in-one landlord accounting software. Records, bank feeds, quarterly updates and the final return in one product.
- General small business accounting software. Works for landlords, but property-specific reports vary.
- Bridging software. Connects your existing spreadsheet to HMRC, if you want to keep using a spreadsheet for records.
Some products cover only part of the job, so check that your choice can do everything, or that you combine products that together cover it [1].
Landlord MTD software compared
| Software | MTD features listed | Published starting price | Pricing basis | Also offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammock | MTD-compatible software, quarterly updates, final declaration [3] | £8 + VAT/mo, 1–3 properties [3] | Per property band | Rent and arrears tracking, unlimited bank feeds [3] |
| Landlord Vision | MTD for Income Tax submissions on every plan [4] | Starter plan, 4 tenancies; check site for current price [4] | Per tenancy band | Bank feeds, compliance, tenant service desk on higher plans [4] |
| August | MTD reporting on paid plans [5] | Growth £8.99/mo, up to 5 tenancies [5] | Per tenancy band | Free plan for 2 tenancies (no MTD) [5] |
Prices as published when we checked. Always confirm the product is on HMRC's compatible software list [2].
How to choose MTD software for landlords
- Confirm you're in scope and when. Over £50,000 qualifying income (2024–25) from April 2026, over £30,000 (2025–26) from April 2027, over £20,000 (2026–27) from April 2028 [6].
- Check HMRC's list. Filter for property income and the features you need [2].
- Check property features. Can it split income and costs by property? Handle joint ownership? HMOs?
- Check bank feeds. How many accounts are included?
- Check the pricing model. Per property or per tenancy matters if you have HMOs.
- Check agent access. If an accountant helps you, can they log in?
- Trial it with real data. Most offer a free trial. Hammock lists 30 days [3].
Common mistakes landlords make
- Choosing after signing up. HMRC says choose first [1].
- Assuming a spreadsheet is enough. Not without bridging software.
- Forgetting nil returns. If you had no income or expenses in a period, you still send the update [7].
- Mixing personal and property spending. Expenses must be wholly and exclusively for the rental business to be allowable [8].
- Losing repair invoices. The update is a summary, but you still need the evidence behind each figure.
Where Gaffy fits alongside MTD software
MTD software deals with numbers. It won't stop a leak, or tell you the gas safety record expires next month. Gaffy covers that side:
- a repair link per property for tenants to report problems with photos, no app or account,
- one maintenance inbox with status, outcome and the cost you log,
- a document vault that flags gas safety, EICR and EPC expiry dates,
- invoices and receipts stored against the property.
When you categorise repair expenses in your MTD software, the figures and invoices are already in one place. Gaffy is £12 a month for up to 5 properties, plus £4 a month for each additional property, with your first month free. No VAT is added.
What to have ready before you choose
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference and Government Gateway details.
- A list of your properties, and any joint ownership shares.
- The bank accounts rent goes into and costs come out of.
- Last year's tax return, so you can map your expense categories.
- Your accountant's preferred software, if you use one.
When to choose
If you're in MTD from 6 April 2027, choose and test your software during the 2026–27 tax year, so your records are set up from the first day [6]. Leaving it until April means learning a new tool while the first quarter is already running.
People also ask
What is the best MTD software for landlords?
There's no single best. Hammock, Landlord Vision and August are landlord-focused and list MTD features [3][4][5]. Check HMRC's list and trial with your own data.
Is there free MTD software for landlords?
Some products may offer free versions or free trials, usually with limits. Use HMRC's software finder [2] and check each product's own terms. Hammock, for example, lists a 30-day free trial [3].
Can I keep using my spreadsheet for MTD?
Yes, with bridging software that sends the figures to HMRC.
Does HMRC provide MTD software?
No. You use commercial software, and HMRC can't advise on specific products [7].
Is Gaffy MTD software?
No. Gaffy handles repairs, certificates and documents.
Try Gaffy free for a month · MTD for landlords · Making Tax Digital for landlords · Gaffy and Hammock
FAQ
Can Gaffy export repair costs?
Gaffy logs each repair's cost against its property so you can copy the totals into your MTD software.
Do I still need Gaffy if my MTD software has a tenant portal?
Maybe not. If your tenants use it and it reminds you about certificates, you may be covered. Gaffy is for landlords who want repairs and certificates handled simply.
Sources
- HMRC, Find software that's compatible with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (ww.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-thats-compatible-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax)
- HMRC, Find software that's compatible with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: find the right software (ww.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-thats-compatible-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax#find-the-right-software)
- Hammock pricing (ww.usehammock.com/pricing (checked 22 October 2026)
- Landlord Vision pricing (ww.landlordvision.co.uk/pricing/ (checked 22 October 2026)
- August pricing (ww.augustapp.com/pricing (checked 21 October 2026)
- HMRC, Find out if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (ww.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-and-when-you-need-to-use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax)
- HMRC, Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: send quarterly updates (ww.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/send-quarterly-updates)
- HMRC, Work out your rental income when you let property (ww.gov.uk/guidance/income-tax-when-you-rent-out-a-property-working-out-your-rental-income)