Landlords have more than one way to get MTD-ready.
You may be able to use free bookkeeping software, a business-account route, paid landlord/accounting software or a spreadsheet with bridging software.
When landlords enter MTD
Property income is included in qualifying income for MTD for Income Tax. HMRC phases the rules in at more than £50,000 from 6th April 2026, more than £30,000 from 6th April 2027 and more than £20,000 from 6th April 2028.
Free routes we have verified
Sage says its free Sole Trader plan can record landlord income and expenses and is MTD ready. Tide markets a free account plus free MTD for Income Tax route to landlords. Starling says its free MTD tool is available to landlords, subject to Accounting eligibility. ANNA also offers free MTD filing and a free spreadsheet-bridging route.
If you are both a landlord and a sole trader
This is where software details matter. HMRC requires quarterly updates for separate income sources. Some software can manage multiple sources in one ecosystem but may require separate accounts or subscriptions. FreeAgent, for example, says users with both self-employment and property income need separate sole trader and unincorporated landlord accounts.
If you already use a spreadsheet
HMRC says spreadsheets can continue to be used, but compatible software must digitally link the records to the MTD submission process. A bridging product can therefore be a better fit than replacing the whole record-keeping system.
Do not choose on property count alone
The number of properties matters, but so do VAT registration, foreign property, joint ownership, other self-employment income, the accounting method you use and whether the software can complete the end-of-year return you need. The finder is deliberately conservative where support is unclear.