Some providers offer a genuinely free tier for landlords with a single property and low transaction volume. Most “free” MTD software, though, is either a time-limited trial or a stripped-down version that will need upgrading once you’re actually required to file quarterly. Here’s how to tell the difference before you commit your records to one platform.
The three types of “free” you’ll see advertised
- Free forever, but limited – usually capped at one property and a low number of transactions
- Free trial – full features for a set period, converting to a paid plan afterwards
- Freemium – record-keeping is free, but actual HMRC submission sits behind a paywall (the most common trap for landlords assuming they’re already covered)
What to check before you rely on a free plan
- Does the free tier include quarterly HMRC submission, or only bookkeeping and record-keeping?
- Is there a property limit, and what happens the moment you add a second property?
- Is there a transaction or bank-feed cap that a busy quarter could push you past?
- What happens if you cross the MTD qualifying income threshold partway through the tax year?
Why “free” often isn’t the cheapest option long-term
Landlords with more than one property tend to exceed free-tier limits quickly, and switching software mid-tax-year carries its own admin cost, re-entering opening balances, re-linking bank feeds, and re-checking historic categorisation.
How does CleanBooks AI make this simple?
This is where CleanBooks AI removes the guesswork rather than hiding behind a limited free tier: every landlord gets 6 months free on the full product, quarterly HMRC submission included from day one, not gated behind an upgrade, whether you have one property or several. See our guide for landlords with multiple properties and how to track rental income and expenses for what’s included.
See exactly what’s included before you commit. Start your 6 months free.
