Free tools every landlord in England should use
The official checkers and services we use ourselves, all free. Each one opens on GOV.UK or the official body’s own site, and none of them needs an account with us.
Before you let
Find an energy certificate (EPC)
GOV.UK. Look up the EPC for any address, see its rating and when it was issued. You need a valid EPC before you market a let.
Check if you need an HMO licence
GOV.UK. Explains mandatory HMO licensing and links to your council, which may also license smaller HMOs or every rented home in some areas.
Find your local council
GOV.UK. Enter a postcode to reach the council that runs licensing, private housing standards and council tax for the property.
Check long-term flood risk
GOV.UK. See the flood risk for a postcode in England. Useful before you buy and when you arrange landlord insurance.
Check a council tax band
GOV.UK. Find the band for a property in England or Wales, for example if you pay the council tax between tenancies.
Search HM Land Registry
GOV.UK. Get the title register for a property, which shows who owns it and any mortgage on it.
When a tenant moves in
Check a tenant’s right to rent
GOV.UK. Use the share code the tenant gives you. British and Irish citizens can’t get a share code, so you check their documents instead.
Protect a tenancy deposit
GOV.UK. Lists the 3 government-approved schemes in England: Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Protect the deposit within 30 days.
Check your gas engineer is on the Gas Safe Register
Gas Safe Register. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can do your yearly gas safety check. Check the number on their ID card.
The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet
GOV.UK. Most landlords had to give this to existing tenants by 31 May 2026. Keep it handy to see how tenancies changed.
Running your lets
Get ready for the landlord database
GOV.UK Housing Hub. Registration opens region by region from 15 December 2026, at £65 per property a year.
Check if you need Making Tax Digital
HMRC. Landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 should have started from 6 April 2026. The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.
Our free calculators and checklists
These run in your browser, with no sign-up. Each explains the rule it uses and links to the official source.
Landlord compliance checker
Pick your property type and how it’s let to see every check that applies.
Certificate renewal date calculator
When your gas, EICR, EPC and licence are next due, as a calendar file.
Rent increase date calculator
The earliest date a new rent can start under a section 13 notice.
Section 8 notice periods
How much notice each possession ground needs since 1 May 2026.
Deposit cap and deadline calculator
The most deposit you can take and your 30-day deadline to protect it.
Free landlord templates
A move-in checklist and a certificate log to print or use as a spreadsheet.
Links checked 14 October 2026. BeCert is independent and isn’t part of GOV.UK.
All your dates in one place
Add your first property free and BeCert reminds you before each check is due.