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LetComplianceLandlord & property management software

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Landlords, agents & LetCompliance

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers on the product, pricing and getting started, plus UK compliance. Compliance answers cite GOV.UK and HSE. Not legal advice; always verify current rules on GOV.UK.

UK landlords and letting agents: the people whose questions this FAQ answers

Type to search. Every answer is on this page.

About LetCompliance

4 Q
What is LetCompliance?

LetCompliance is property management software for UK landlords and letting agents: it runs the whole let from one login. You advertise the property, take applications and book viewings, reference the tenant and e-sign the tenancy, collect the rent by Direct Debit and chase it when it is late, log repairs and inspections, keep the certificates in date against a live 0 to 100 score, draft Section 8 and Section 13 notices when you need them, and prepare the SA105 at the end of the year. It is recognised by HMRC for Making Tax Digital, so your quarterly updates for UK property income go to HMRC from the same records. It replaces the stack most landlords run instead: a listing site, a referencing site, a spreadsheet and a folder of PDFs.

Is this a compliance tracker?

No, and the name is misleading on that point. Compliance is one of the things it does, not the thing it is. The same account handles the lettings run (adverts, applications, viewings, referencing, e-signed tenancies), the money (Direct Debit rent, arrears chasing, expenses and the SA105), the tenancy itself (repairs, inspections, inventories, notices) and the tenant portal. There are also people you can book for the jobs that need someone at the property: photography, viewings, inspections and inventories.

Do I still need it if I use a letting agent?

Often yes, for one reason: the record is theirs, not yours. Change agent and you find out how much of your own tenancy history lived in their system. LetCompliance keeps your own copy of the rent, the documents, the condition reports and the certificate dates, and it is yours whoever manages the property. Plenty of landlords also self-manage one property and use an agent for another, and run both here. For agencies, it runs multi-branch Client Money Protection reconciliation and monthly landlord statements.

Is my data secure?

Yes. Documents are encrypted (AES-256 at rest) with row-level security, LetCompliance is run with UK GDPR in mind, and your downloads stay under your control. See the Privacy Policy for detail.

Pricing & getting started

8 Q
Is there a free plan?

Yes, alongside the paid plans from £7.99 a month. One property can stay on the free plan, with no card and no time limit, and keeps a live 0–100 compliance score, certificate tracking with reminders, document storage and the tenant portal. Making Tax Digital comes with the paid plans, and a second property needs one, from £14.99 a month for up to three.

How much does LetCompliance cost?

After a 14-day trial: Single £7.99/mo (one property), Solo £14.99/mo (up to 3), Portfolio £19/mo (up to 10), Portfolio Plus £29/mo (up to 20) and Professional £49/mo (unlimited), each cheaper billed yearly. Letting agencies have a single £129/mo plan with unlimited branches, seats and properties.

Do I need a card to start?

No. You can create an account and use the 14-day trial of the premium tools without a card, then choose a plan from £7.99 a month, or keep one property on the free plan.

How long does it take to set up?

A few minutes. Add a property, its tenancy and the rent, and upload your certificates (the AI can read the expiry straight off a PDF). The rent ledger, the reminders and the 0–100 score start from there.

Can I use it for a whole portfolio or as a letting agency?

Yes. Plans scale by property count for landlords, and agencies get multi-branch workspaces with role-based access, Client Money Protection reconciliation and monthly landlord statements on the £129/mo Agency plan.

What counts as a "property"?

One rentable unit. A single flat or house is one property; a block of five flats is five. Rooms in one HMO under a single tenancy count as one property. Plans are sized by number of properties, not tenants.

What happens when the 14-day trial ends?

Nothing is charged without your say-so. You either choose a plan or move to the free plan, which keeps one property open. Any other properties are kept exactly as they are, locked until you choose a plan, and you never lose your data: you can download it at any time.

Is there a discount for paying yearly?

Yes. Every paid plan is cheaper billed annually (for example the Agency plan is £129/mo or £1,290/yr). VAT, where it applies, is shown at checkout.

Finding & referencing tenants

9 Q
Can I advertise my property and find tenants in LetCompliance?

Yes. Create an advert with the material information tenants and portals expect, share a single property link so applicants apply with no account, then book viewings and run a waiting list, all in one place.

Do you do tenant referencing and credit checks?

Yes. Reference a tenant or guarantor through a regulated UK credit reference agency (credit history, affordability and adverse data), pay-per-check, with the result stored against the tenancy. Right to Rent checks sit alongside it.

Can I e-sign the tenancy agreement?

Yes. Generate the correct tenancy agreement and have it e-signed, with an audit certificate recording who signed, when, from which IP address and on which device, and in what order. The signed PDF is sealed, so any later change to it is detectable.

Is an e-signed tenancy agreement legally valid in the UK?

Yes, for a normal residential tenancy. Section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 makes an electronic signature, and the certification of that signature, admissible in evidence on any question about whether a document is authentic or has been tampered with, which is exactly what the audit certificate is for. The Law Commission confirmed in 2019 that an electronic signature is capable in law of being used to execute a document, provided the person signing intends to authenticate it and any other formalities are met. The exception is a deed: that must still be signed in the physical presence of a witness who attests the signature, even if everyone is signing electronically. It rarely comes up in renting, because an assured tenancy is periodic and is not granted by deed.

Do tenants get their own login?

Yes: a passwordless tenant portal where they can see documents, requests and messages, with no account to create and nothing to pay.

How much does a reference cost and who pays?

Referencing is pay-per-check through a regulated UK credit reference agency. You can absorb the cost or ask the tenant to pay; you choose per check.

What if a tenant fails referencing?

You get a clear pass / refer / fail result with the reasons, so you can accept, ask for a guarantor, or decline. The decision stays yours.

Can I reference a guarantor too?

Yes. Guarantors can be referenced with the same credit and affordability check, and the signed guarantee deed is stored against the tenancy.

Can I advertise on Rightmove or Zoopla?

LetCompliance gives you a shareable advert and application link and captures enquiries directly. It does not syndicate to Rightmove or Zoopla (those portals are agent-only), so some landlords pair it with an online listing service for portal exposure.

Rent collection & arrears

6 Q
Can LetCompliance collect the rent?

Yes. Set the rent and collect it by Direct Debit (Bacs), paid into your own account, while a live ledger tracks what is due and what has arrived.

How does arrears chasing work?

The ledger flags a shortfall the day it happens, and once you switch the chase on in Settings it emails the tenant for you, one email per tenancy listing each unpaid date and the total. It also builds the Ground 8 arrears evidence trail in case a claim ever reaches court.

Does it produce rent receipts and statements?

Yes: dated rent receipts for tenants, per-property and portfolio income views for you, and monthly landlord statements for agencies.

Where does the collected rent go?

Straight into your own bank account via Stripe Connect. LetCompliance never holds your rent.

What if a Direct Debit fails or bounces?

A failed payment is flagged on the ledger and treated as arrears immediately, so the automatic chase and the Ground 8 evidence trail kick in without you having to notice.

Can tenants pay by standing order or bank transfer instead?

Yes. You can record manual payments (standing order, transfer, cash) on the ledger even if you do not use Direct Debit collection, so arrears tracking and receipts still work.

Landlord tax

9 Q
Does LetCompliance help with my landlord tax?

Yes. Log income and expenses (or photograph receipts and they are read for you), see per-property profit-and-loss, and export figures mapped straight onto the SA105 self-assessment pages, with a Section 24 calculator. Your Making Tax Digital quarterly updates are sent to HMRC from the same records.

Can I file Making Tax Digital updates from LetCompliance?

Yes, for UK property income. Connect your HMRC account once and send your quarterly updates from the MTD page, and submit your final declaration there when UK property is the only income you need to add yourself. If you also have savings interest, dividends, self-employment or foreign property income, finalise that year with software that can add it, or with your accountant. It is on every paid plan from £7.99 a month, and LetCompliance is on GOV.UK’s list of software recognised by HMRC for Making Tax Digital.

Can I use it with my accountant or Xero?

Yes. Export the SA105-shaped Tax Pack (CSV + PDF) for your accountant, or a Xero-compatible CSV to import into Xero.

When does MTD for Income Tax apply to me?

From 6 April 2026 if your qualifying income was over £50,000, from 6 April 2027 if it was over £30,000, and from 6 April 2028 if it was over £20,000. Qualifying income is your property income and any self-employment income added together, counted before expenses, so it is turnover and not profit. Employment, pensions, dividends and partnership profits do not count, and on a jointly owned property only your share does. HMRC reads the figure from the tax return you filed the year before. At or below the threshold you stay on the annual Self Assessment return.

Source: GOV.UK: check if you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Will HMRC tell me that I have to start?

Yes, HMRC writes to the people each wave catches, but the letter comes after the deciding return is in. The April 2027 wave is decided by the 2025 to 2026 return, which is due on 31 January 2027, so most of those letters land in February or March 2027, weeks before the rules start. If you can already see that your turnover passes the threshold, you have far more notice than the letter gives you. Our free checker gives you the date from your own figures.

Source: GOV.UK: check if you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
How do I actually sign up for Making Tax Digital?

You sign up through the software you intend to use, which is why choosing it is the step that unblocks the rest. You need to be registered for Self Assessment and to have filed a return in the last two years. If an accountant handles your tax, they can sign you up and file for you. In LetCompliance you connect your HMRC account once from the Making Tax Digital page and send the updates from there.

Source: GOV.UK: check if you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Can I start before it is compulsory for me?

Yes. HMRC lets you join voluntarily, and a year of quarterly updates while nothing is at stake is the cheapest way to find out where your records fall short. It is worth considering if your income is close to the next threshold, because the year that decides it is the year you are living in now.

What happens if I miss a quarterly update?

Late submission runs on points. Each missed quarterly update or return deadline is one point, and at four points there is a £200 penalty, with another £200 for each later miss. Points below the threshold drop off 24 months after the deadline you missed; once you reach four they stop expiring on their own and you clear them by filing on time for 12 months and sending anything still outstanding. Paying late is charged separately, as a percentage of the tax owed plus interest.

Source: GOV.UK: penalties for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Does it handle jointly owned property?

You record your own share, and it is worth knowing exactly where the line is. HMRC treats each owner’s share as their own business, so each of you keeps records and files separately. In LetCompliance you enter the full rent and costs for the property and set your share on the property, for example 50%: your SA105 figures and quarterly MTD updates then use your share. If you already enter only your share, leave it at 100% so it is not halved twice.

For letting agents

3 Q
Does LetCompliance work for letting agents?

Yes. Agencies get multi-branch workspaces with role-based access so each branch sees only its own clients, plus the full lettings, rent, compliance and legal toolkit.

Do you handle client money and landlord statements?

Yes. The Agency plan includes Client Money Protection (CMP) reconciliation and automated monthly landlord statements, plus per-landlord audit packs for redress-scheme defence.

How much is the agency plan?

One flat £129/mo (or £1,290/yr) with unlimited branches, seats and managed properties. Enterprise (white-label, SSO, SLA) is available on request.

Gas Safety

6 Q
How often does a landlord need a Gas Safety Certificate?

Every 12 months. A Gas Safe registered engineer must inspect all gas appliances and flues in the property annually. The record (CP12) must be given to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in.

Source: HSE gas safety for landlords
What is the penalty for not having a Gas Safety Certificate?

Failing to carry out an annual gas safety check is a criminal offence under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. The penalty is an unlimited fine and up to 2 years in prison. A missing certificate does not itself bar a Section 8 possession claim; the deposit rules are what do that.

Source: HSE gas safety enforcement
Who can carry out a gas safety check?

Only a Gas Safe registered engineer. Always verify the engineer's registration number on the Gas Safe Register at gassaferegister.co.uk before booking.

Source: Gas Safe Register
Do I need a gas safety check if there are no gas appliances?

No. If the property has no gas supply and no gas appliances, flues or pipework, a Gas Safety Certificate is not required. As soon as there is any gas, the annual check applies.

Source: HSE gas safety for landlords
What if the tenant will not give access for the check?

You must show you took all reasonable steps: written requests and a record of every attempt. Keep the paper trail; LetCompliance logs the reminders so you can evidence you tried.

Source: HSE: access for gas safety checks
How much does a gas safety check cost?

Typically £60–£90 for a single boiler, more for extra appliances. Book 4–6 weeks ahead, especially over winter when engineers are busy.

EICR (Electrical Safety)

6 Q
How often does a landlord need an EICR?

Every 5 years for rental properties in England, or sooner if the report specifies. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 made EICRs mandatory for new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all tenancies from 1 April 2022.

Source: GOV.UK electrical safety standards
What is the maximum fine for not having an EICR?

The local housing authority can issue a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per property for failing to comply with the EICR regulations.

Source: GOV.UK electrical safety guidance
What do C1, C2 and C3 codes mean on an EICR?

C1 means danger present: immediate action required. C2 means potentially dangerous: urgent remedial work required within 28 days. C3 is a recommendation only and is not legally required. FI means further investigation is needed.

Source: GOV.UK EICR guidance
Do I need a new EICR for every new tenant?

No. An EICR lasts up to 5 years (or sooner if the report specifies). You give a copy to new tenants before they move in and to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection.

Source: GOV.UK electrical safety standards
Who pays for remedial electrical work?

The landlord. Any C1 or C2 code must be remedied within 28 days (or sooner for a C1 danger), and you must obtain written confirmation the work has been completed.

Source: GOV.UK EICR guidance
How much does an EICR cost?

Usually £100–£300 depending on property size and location. Always ask for the full report, not just a one-page satisfactory certificate.

EPC (Energy Performance)

5 Q
What EPC rating do I need to legally let a property?

Currently, rental properties in England must have a minimum EPC rating of E. Properties rated F or G cannot be legally let. The maximum fine for letting an F or G property is £5,000. A minimum C rating is now confirmed government policy, though not yet law, for all privately rented homes from 1 October 2030.

Source: GOV.UK EPC for landlords
How long is an EPC valid?

An EPC is valid for 10 years. You must have a valid EPC before marketing a property to let and provide a copy to the tenant before the tenancy starts.

Source: GOV.UK EPC guidance
How much does an EPC cost and how do I get one?

Typically £60–£120 from an accredited domestic energy assessor, and it is valid for 10 years. You need a valid EPC before you market the property to let.

Source: GOV.UK EPC for landlords
What if my property is rated F or G?

You cannot legally let it (fine up to £5,000) unless you register a valid exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register. Cheap wins like loft insulation and LED lighting often lift a D or E up a band.

Source: GOV.UK: guidance on PRS minimum energy efficiency
Does the planned EPC C by 2030 standard apply to me?

Not yet, but it is coming. The government response of 21 January 2026 says all privately rented homes in England will need to meet a higher standard, equivalent to EPC C, by 1 October 2030, with a £10,000 cost cap per property. The regulations are still to be made. Plan improvements now: LetCompliance flags properties likely to fall short before that date.

Source: GOV.UK: energy efficiency in the PRS

Deposit Protection

5 Q
How long do I have to protect a tenancy deposit?

You must protect the deposit in a government-authorised scheme (DPS, TDS or mydeposits) and serve Prescribed Information on the tenant within 30 calendar days of receiving it.

Source: GOV.UK deposit protection
What is the penalty for not protecting a deposit?

A court can order you to repay between 1 and 3 times the deposit amount to the tenant. Failing to protect a deposit also blocks a Section 8 possession order on most grounds until it is protected and the Prescribed Information given (late still counts), or the deposit is returned.

Source: GOV.UK tenancy deposit protection
What is the maximum deposit I can charge?

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the maximum deposit is 5 weeks' rent if annual rent is under £50,000, or 6 weeks' rent if annual rent is £50,000 or more.

Source: GOV.UK tenant fees
What is "Prescribed Information"?

The scheme details you must give the tenant within 30 days of protecting the deposit: the scheme name and contact, how the deposit is protected, and how disputes are resolved. Failing to serve it carries the same 1–3× penalty as not protecting the deposit at all.

Source: GOV.UK: deposit protection
Do I have to re-protect the deposit when a fixed term ends?

Under the Renters’ Rights Act tenancies are periodic from the outset, so protect the deposit and serve Prescribed Information once at the start and keep it protected for the life of the tenancy. Only take-and-protect again if you ever take a new deposit.

Source: GOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection

Right to Rent

4 Q
Who must carry out Right to Rent checks?

All private landlords in England must check that every adult occupier has the legal right to rent in the UK before the tenancy starts. This applies regardless of nationality.

Source: GOV.UK Right to Rent checks
What is the fine for not doing Right to Rent checks?

Civil penalties can reach £10,000 per occupier for a first breach and up to £20,000 per occupier for repeat breaches (lodger arrangements £5,000 / £10,000). These rates apply since 13 February 2024.

Source: GOV.UK Right to Rent enforcement
How do I actually carry out a Right to Rent check?

Either check original documents with the tenant present, or use the Home Office online service with a share code for those with digital status. Keep dated copies for the length of the tenancy.

Source: GOV.UK: check right to rent
Do I have to re-check a tenant later?

Only if their right to rent is time-limited. The follow-up check is due before the latest of 12 months after the first check, the end of their permission and the expiry of the document they showed. People with an unlimited right to rent do not need re-checking. LetCompliance tracks the follow-up date for you.

Source: GOV.UK: follow-up right to rent checks

Smoke & CO alarms

3 Q
What are the smoke and CO alarm rules for landlords?

You must have at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (except gas cookers). Alarms must be working at the start of each tenancy, and you must repair or replace them once told they are faulty.

Source: GOV.UK smoke and CO alarm guidance
What is the fine for a smoke or CO alarm breach?

The local housing authority can issue a civil penalty of up to £5,000 per breach.

Source: GOV.UK smoke and CO alarm regulations
Do I need a CO alarm if I have a gas boiler?

Yes. A carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, which includes a gas boiler. The only excluded appliance is a gas cooker.

Source: GOV.UK smoke and CO alarm guidance

HMO licensing

5 Q
When does a property need an HMO licence?

A mandatory HMO licence is required where 5 or more people forming 2 or more households share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Many councils also run additional HMO or selective licensing in designated areas, so always check your council before letting.

Source: GOV.UK: House in multiple occupation licence
What happens if I let an unlicensed HMO?

An unlimited fine on conviction or a civil penalty of up to £40,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to two years’ rent paid back to the tenant.

Source: GOV.UK: Renting out an HMO
Does LetCompliance track HMO licences and rooms?

Yes. It handles HMOs as multi-tenancy per address with room-level management, and tracks each licence with renewal reminders alongside your other certificates.

What is the difference between mandatory, additional and selective licensing?

Mandatory HMO licensing is national (5+ people, 2+ households). Additional HMO licensing is a local scheme extending HMO rules to smaller HMOs in designated areas. Selective licensing covers all private lets (not just HMOs) in specific wards. Additional and selective vary by council, so always check the postcode.

Source: GOV.UK: HMO and licensing
How much does an HMO licence cost?

Typically £500–£1,000 for a five-year licence, depending on the council and property size. Some councils discount for accredited landlords.

Renters' Rights Act 2025

8 Q
When did Section 21 get abolished?

Section 21 no-fault evictions were abolished on 1 May 2026 under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Landlords can no longer end a tenancy without a specific legal ground under Section 8.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overview
What replaces Section 21?

Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 is now the only route to possession. Landlords must cite a specific ground, for example Ground 1 (landlord moving in), Ground 1A (selling), or Ground 8 (at least 3 months' rent arrears). Notice periods vary by ground.

Source: GOV.UK Section 8 guidance
What is the Information Sheet duty?

For tenancies that existed before the reforms, the government Information Sheet had to be served on tenants by 31 May 2026 (that deadline has now passed; if you missed it, serve it without delay). For every new tenancy from 1 May 2026 it must be served at the start of the tenancy. The maximum civil penalty is £7,000, rising to £40,000 for serious or repeat breaches.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act
Can I still increase the rent?

Yes, but only once every 52 weeks and only through a Section 13 notice on the prescribed Form 4A, giving at least two months’ notice. The tenant can challenge the increase at the First-tier Tribunal, which cannot set a rent above what you proposed.

Source: GOV.UK: rent increases
Do fixed-term tenancies still exist?

No. From 1 May 2026 all new and existing assured tenancies are periodic (rolling), so you can no longer grant a 6 or 12-month fixed term. LetCompliance’s tenancy builder already defaults to the new periodic assured tenancy.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overview
Can a tenant leave whenever they want now?

Broadly yes. On a periodic tenancy the tenant can end it by giving two months’ notice at any point, so you can no longer rely on a fixed term to keep them for a set period.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overview
What are the new rules on pets?

A tenant can request to keep a pet and you must respond in writing on or before the 28th day (with a further 7 days if you reasonably ask for more information). You cannot unreasonably refuse, but you can require the tenant to hold pet insurance. LetCompliance runs the 28-day timer for you.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overview
Do I have to join the Ombudsman and the PRS Database?

Both are coming under the Act, at different times. The national PRS Database opens on 15 December 2026: if you let a home on an assured or regulated tenancy you register yourself and each let property, at £65 a property a year, by your region’s deadline between 14 March and 14 November 2027. Not registering can bring a penalty of up to £7,000, or up to £40,000 where it is an offence. The Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman is not open yet.

Source: GOV.UK: Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act

Possession & eviction

3 Q
How do I evict a tenant now that Section 21 is gone?

You serve a Section 8 notice citing a valid ground from Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988, wait out the notice period for that ground, and, if the tenant does not leave, apply to the court for a possession order. LetCompliance drafts the Section 8 notice with the correct verbatim ground wording and tracks the timeline.

Source: GOV.UK: evicting tenants
What is Ground 8 (rent arrears)?

Ground 8 is a mandatory ground: if the tenant owes at least three months’ rent (for monthly tenancies) both when you serve notice and at the hearing, the court must grant possession. LetCompliance’s rent ledger tells you the moment the threshold is met and builds the evidence pack.

Source: GOV.UK: grounds for possession
Can I evict without a court order?

No. Removing a tenant, changing the locks or harassing them into leaving without a court order and, if needed, county-court bailiffs is an illegal eviction: a criminal offence carrying up to two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and civil damages.

Source: GOV.UK: private renting eviction

Other safety duties

3 Q
Do I need a Legionella risk assessment?

You must assess and control the risk of Legionella in the water system. For most standard domestic rentals this is a simple written assessment you can do yourself; higher-risk systems (large tanks, HMOs) may need a specialist. There is no certificate, but you should keep a record.

Source: HSE: Legionella and landlords
Is PAT testing (portable appliance testing) a legal requirement?

For a standard single-family let, PAT testing is not legally mandatory, but any electrical appliances you supply must be safe. In licensed HMOs the council can require regular PAT testing as a licence condition.

Source: GOV.UK: HMO responsibilities
What are my fire safety duties?

Any furniture you provide must meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations, alarms must work, and HMOs have additional duties such as fire doors and clear escape routes. LetCompliance tracks HMO fire-safety items alongside your certificates.

Source: GOV.UK: fire safety in the home

Deposits & end of tenancy

3 Q
Which deposit schemes are approved?

The three government-approved schemes in England and Wales are the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) and mydeposits. Custodial options are free (the scheme holds the money); insured options let you hold it for a fee.

Source: GOV.UK: deposit protection schemes
Can I make deductions from the deposit?

Only for genuine losses you can evidence: unpaid rent, damage beyond fair wear and tear, or cleaning to the check-in standard. You cannot deduct for fair wear and tear. A dated inventory with photos at check-in and check-out is your best evidence.

Source: GOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection
What happens if the tenant disputes deductions?

Each scheme offers free alternative dispute resolution (ADR): an adjudicator decides based on the evidence both sides submit. LetCompliance keeps the tenancy agreement, inventory, rent ledger and communications in one place so you can assemble a dispute pack quickly.

Source: GOV.UK: deposit disputes

Data, security & your account

5 Q
Is my data safe and GDPR-compliant?

Yes. Documents are encrypted (AES-256 at rest), access is protected with row-level security so one account never sees another’s data, and LetCompliance is run with UK GDPR in mind: it processes only what is needed to run the service.

Do you use my data to train AI models?

No. Your properties, tenants, documents and rent records are yours and are used to run your account, not to train external AI models. Where the product uses AI (for example, suggesting a maintenance priority), it works on your data to help you in the moment; it does not feed a training set.

Can I override the AI suggestions?

Always. Anywhere the app suggests something (a maintenance triage priority, a likely trade, an expiry date read off a certificate), it is a suggestion you review and can change or ignore. Nothing is applied to your account without you confirming it, and AI output is never legal or tax advice.

Can I export or download my data?

Yes. Your certificates and documents download any time, and finance figures export as CSV and PDF (including the SA105-shaped Tax Pack). Your data stays yours.

Can I delete my account?

Yes. You can close your account and request deletion of your data at any time; export anything you want to keep first. See the Privacy Policy for retention detail.

Support, billing & devices

4 Q
How do I get support?

Email hello@letcompliance.com. Replies usually come within a working day. There is also an in-app AI assistant and a full guides library.

Can I cancel any time?

Yes. There is no long contract: cancel from your billing settings whenever you like. After cancelling, one property can stay on the free plan rather than losing access entirely.

Can I pay annually instead of monthly?

Yes. You can pay yearly instead of monthly and save about 20% versus the monthly price. You can switch between monthly and annual from your billing settings, and either way there is no long lock-in: the annual option is a discount, not a contract you cannot leave.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. LetCompliance runs in any modern browser on phone, tablet or desktop. There is no app to install, and your portfolio, reminders and documents are available wherever you are.

Tenancy agreements & types

5 Q
What tenancy type should I use now?

From 1 May 2026 almost all new residential lets in England are periodic assured tenancies; fixed-term ASTs are gone. LetCompliance’s tenancy builder defaults to the correct periodic assured tenancy so you never issue the wrong type.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overview
Is a tenancy agreement generated and e-signed here legally binding?

Yes, for a normal residential tenancy. The agreement is generated for the current law, and an electronic signature is valid to sign it: section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 makes both the signature and its certification admissible in evidence, and the audit certificate records who signed, when, from which IP and device. The one exception is a deed, which still needs a witness physically present; since 1 May 2026 an assured tenancy is periodic and is not granted by deed, so that rarely arises in renting.

Do I have to give a written tenancy agreement?

You must give the tenant a written statement of the terms, and you must do it before the tenancy is entered into, not afterwards. A properly drafted written agreement is the simplest way to satisfy that duty as well as being the evidence you want later, and LetCompliance generates one and sends it for signature. Skipping the written statement exposes you to a civil penalty of up to £7,000, imposed by the local housing authority.

Source: Housing Act 1988, section 16D
Can I use a free tenancy agreement template?

Yes. LetCompliance publishes a free, up-to-date periodic assured tenancy template. Just make sure any template reflects the post-2026 rules; older fixed-term AST templates are now out of date.

How do joint tenancies work?

All joint tenants sign one agreement and are jointly and severally liable for the whole rent. LetCompliance handles joint tenancies, including per-tenant referencing and Ground 8 arrears calculated across the tenancy.

Rent, advance & guarantees

3 Q
How much rent can I charge?

You set the market rent at the start. During the tenancy, increases are limited to once every 52 weeks through a Section 13 notice, and the tenant can challenge an above-market rise at the First-tier Tribunal.

Source: GOV.UK: rent increases
Can I ask for rent in advance?

Only the first month, and only after the tenancy agreement is signed. Since 1 May 2026 rent taken before signing is a prohibited payment, and a term making later rent due in advance has no effect, so large upfront lump sums are no longer an option.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overview
Should I use a guarantor or rent guarantee insurance?

Either reduces arrears risk. A guarantor is referenced and signs a guarantee deed (which LetCompliance produces); rent guarantee insurance is a separate product some landlords add on top of strong referencing.

Repairs, damp & Awaab’s Law

3 Q
Who is responsible for repairs?

The landlord is responsible for the structure and exterior and for the installations for water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and for keeping the home fit for human habitation. Tenants must use the property in a tenant-like way.

Source: GOV.UK: landlord repair responsibilities
How quickly must I deal with damp and mould?

Awaab’s Law sets fixed timescales to investigate and fix serious hazards such as damp and mould. It applies in the social sector now and is being extended to the private rented sector under the Renters’ Rights Act, so treat a prompt, recorded response as the standard.

Source: GOV.UK: Awaab’s Law
How does LetCompliance help with repairs?

Tenants log repair requests in the portal, you raise a contractor work order, and the response time is tracked, with AI repair triage to flag the urgent ones first.

Landlord insurance

2 Q
Do I legally need landlord insurance?

No, landlord insurance is not a legal requirement, but a standard home policy will not cover a let property, and most buy-to-let mortgage lenders require buildings insurance as a condition. It is strongly recommended.

What does landlord insurance usually cover?

Typically buildings cover, plus optional landlord contents, property owner’s liability, loss of rent and legal expenses. LetCompliance can track your policy renewal date alongside your certificates so it never lapses unnoticed.

Council tax, bills & HMOs

3 Q
Who pays the council tax: me or the tenant?

On a standard whole-property let the tenant is usually liable while they live there. For most HMOs the property is treated as a single dwelling and the landlord is liable for council tax (rules in force from 1 December 2023), so build it into the rent.

Source: GOV.UK: council tax and HMOs
Am I liable for council tax during void periods?

Yes. When a property sits empty between tenancies the landlord is normally liable for council tax, though some councils offer a short empty-property discount, so check locally.

How are utility bills handled in an HMO?

Many HMOs are let on an all-inclusive rent where the landlord pays the utilities and council tax and recovers them in the rent. Keep records: these are allowable expenses against your rental income.

Students, lodgers & special lets

3 Q
Can I still do student lets?

Yes. There is a dedicated possession ground (Ground 4A) to recover a student HMO for the next academic year, but you must give written notice before the tenancy starts and the possession date must fall between 1 June and 30 September. LetCompliance flags the requirements.

Source: GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overview
What are the rules for taking in a lodger?

If you live in the property and rent out a room, the lodger is usually an excluded occupier, not an assured tenant, so most of the tenancy regime does not apply. The Rent-a-Room scheme lets you earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free.

Source: GOV.UK: Rent a Room scheme
Do holiday lets or company lets count as tenancies?

Genuine holiday lets and lets to a company sit outside the assured tenancy regime and the Renters’ Rights Act, but they carry their own tax and safety rules. Get advice before relying on either to sidestep the reforms.

Overseas & non-resident landlords

2 Q
Can I use it in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

The rent, expenses, documents and tax side work wherever your property is, and Making Tax Digital is a UK-wide HMRC scheme. The tenancy law does not travel: the agreements, notices, deadlines and compliance scoring in LetCompliance are written for England, where the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 applies. Wales lets homes under occupation contracts, Scotland uses the private residential tenancy and Northern Ireland has its own regime, so do not use its tenancy agreement or possession notices there. If you let in more than one nation, get in touch for a straight answer on which parts you can rely on.

I live abroad. Can I still use LetCompliance?

Yes. The platform is built for UK property wherever you are based. If you are a non-resident landlord, your letting agent or tenant may have to operate the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme and deduct basic-rate tax from the rent unless HMRC approves you to receive it gross.

Source: GOV.UK: Non-resident Landlord Scheme

Your 0–100 compliance score

3 Q
How is the 0–100 compliance score calculated?

Each property is scored across the core statutory duties: Gas Safety, EICR, EPC, deposit protection, Right to Rent and related items. The score is date-driven: an expired or missing certificate pulls it down immediately, so red / amber / green reflects real risk, not a box you ticked months ago.

What pulls my score down?

A lapsed or missing certificate, an unprotected deposit, a missing Right to Rent check, or an approaching MEES or licence deadline. Fix the item and the score recovers straight away.

Can I show the score to a lender, insurer or tenant?

Yes. You can export a complete compliance pack per property, which is useful for a mortgage or insurance review, a prospective tenant, or evidence in a dispute.

Switching to LetCompliance

3 Q
How do I move over from a spreadsheet or another tool?

Import your properties from a CSV (address, tenant, rent and certificate dates), or add them one by one, and upload the certificates (the AI can read expiry dates straight off uploaded PDFs). There is nothing technical to migrate, and the rent, reminders and 0–100 score start as soon as the records are in.

What if I am leaving Property Hawk?

Property Hawk is closing its free service, so export your records before access ends and add them to LetCompliance, where paid plans start at £7.99 a month and one property can stay on the free plan. There is a step-by-step migration guide.

Can I get help setting up?

Yes. Send a message through the contact page for help with setup, and the in-app AI assistant answers questions as you go.

Run the whole tenancy, not just the deadlines

LetCompliance advertises your property, takes applications, collects the rent, scores your compliance 0 to 100 and prepares your SA105 tax, all from one login. The certificate reminders are just the safety net underneath.

Lettings & applicationsRent collectionCompliance scoreSection 8 & 13 noticesSA105 tax pack
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