The Latch Blog
Property management insights, product updates, and rental market trends.
Council Tax Between Tenancies: A UK Landlord's Survival Guide (2026)
Who pays council tax between tenancies in 2026? The owner — and a furnished void is a second home from day one. Full landlord guide with the LGFA 1992 hierarchy, Class H, and the new Renters' Rights Act traps.
Empty Homes Premium: The Class H 'Marketed for Let' Exception Every Landlord Should Use
An empty rental can trigger a 100%-300% council tax premium under LURA 2023. Here is how Class H buys you 12 months and how to evidence it.
Second Homes Council Tax Premium 2026: Which Councils Charge Double + How Landlords Stay Exempt
211 English councils now charge a 100% second home council tax premium, with 38 more joining in April 2026. Here are the councils, the statutory exception classes E-M, and how landlords stay exempt.
HMO Council Tax in 2026: The Single-Dwelling Rule with Worked Examples (Including the New Welsh Regs)
The 2023 England regulations and the brand-new Welsh equivalent (in force 3 June 2026) treat most HMOs as a single dwelling for council tax. We walk through the rules, the s.257 trap, and a 5-bed worked example that saves tenants around £1,000 each per year.
Mansion Tax 2028: What the High Value Council Tax Surcharge Means for UK Landlords with £2m+ Properties
The High Value Council Tax Surcharge lands on 1 April 2028, adding £2,500-£7,500 a year to England's priciest homes. Here is what landlords with £2m+ stock need to do now.
The UK Rental Market in Mid-2026: The Definitive Data Report
A data-led snapshot of the UK rental market in mid-2026: rent inflation cooling to 3.5%, yields holding above 7%, mortgage rates settling, and the Renters' Rights Act reshaping landlord economics.
Landlord Tax Changes April 2026: The Full Round-Up (Autumn Budget 2025 + Spring Statement 2026)
Every landlord tax change landing in April 2026 and beyond — MTD ITSA going live, BPR/APR caps, the new property income tax rates from 2027, the mansion tax, frozen thresholds, and what the Spring Statement 2026 did (and did not) do for buy-to-let.
Should You Incorporate Your Buy-to-Let in 2026? The Numbers After the Autumn Budget
Section 24 bites harder, a new 2pp property income tax lands in 2027, and SDLT surcharges have crept up. We run the numbers on whether incorporating your buy-to-let still pays in 2026.
Awaab's Law is Coming to the Private Rented Sector: Section 60 RRA and the 24/10/3/5 Clock
Awaab's Law private rented sector commencement is pencilled in for 2027 via Section 60 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Here is the 24/10/3/5 timetable, the statutory basis, and what landlords should be doing in 2026 to be ready.
Best Property Management Software UK 2026: 9 Platforms Compared
Independent comparison of the 9 best property management software platforms for UK landlords in 2026. We tested AI automation, rent collection, compliance tracking, MTD support, pricing, and ease of use. Full feature matrices, pricing tables, and honest pros/cons for each platform.
How to Automate Rent Chasing UK 2026: Tools, Templates & Setup
Late rent costs UK landlords an average of £1,200 per year in lost income and admin time. Automated rent chasing tools send personalised reminders via email, SMS, and WhatsApp — recovering 94% of late payments within 48 hours without a single awkward conversation. Here's how to set it up in 2026.
HMRC Recognised MTD Software for Landlords: What It Actually Means (2026)
HMRC's Making Tax Digital mandate hits landlords earning over £50,000 from April 2026. But 'HMRC recognised' doesn't mean what most landlords think it means. We explain the recognition process, what software actually qualifies, and why purpose-built landlord software beats generic accounting tools for MTD compliance.
Best Landlord Software Under £20/Month UK 2026: 8 Options Compared
You don't need to spend £50-100/month on property management software. We compared 8 UK landlord platforms under £20/month on features, MTD compliance, AI automation, and value for money. One platform stood out for offering AI rent chasing, compliance tracking, and bank reconciliation at a price that actually makes sense.
Landlord Software vs Accountant: True Cost Comparison UK 2026
UK landlords spend £300-1,500/year on accountants for tax returns and bookkeeping. With MTD mandating quarterly digital submissions from April 2026, that cost is set to rise. We built a complete cost model comparing landlord software vs accountant fees across 1, 5, 10, and 20+ property portfolios — including the hidden costs most landlords overlook.
Landlord Software UK: Complete Buyer's Guide 2026
Choosing landlord software in 2026 is harder than ever — MTD compliance is now mandatory, AI features are reshaping the market, and pricing varies from free to £40+/month. This buyer's guide walks you through every feature that matters, what to expect at each price tier, and how to pick the right platform for your portfolio size and landlord type.