Know the rules. Keep the margin.
Plain-English guides for landlords who manage their own portfolio — compliance obligations, legislation changes and what agents actually charge for.
EPC certificates: rules, ratings and costs
The minimum band E standard for rented homes, MEES exemptions, the £3,500 cost cap, what an assessment costs and the cheapest ways to move up a band.
Read guideTenancy deposit protection explained
The 30-day protection deadline, prescribed information, the five-week cap, what you can lawfully deduct and the 1x–3x penalty for getting it wrong.
Read guideSmoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules
How many alarms each storey needs, which rooms require a CO alarm, who tests what and when, positioning and the £5,000 remedial notice penalty.
Read guideThe UK landlord compliance checklist
Every certificate, check and deadline — gas, EICR, EPC, alarms, deposits, Right to Rent and licensing — with renewal frequencies and the penalties for missing them.
Read guideEICR certificates: rules, codes and costs
How often landlords need an EICR, what C1, C2, C3 and FI mean, the 28-day remedial rule, typical costs and the £30,000 penalty for getting it wrong.
Read guideLandlord gas safety certificate
Annual CP12 rules, who can issue one, typical costs, record keeping and the penalties for non-compliance.
Read guideSection 21 notices
What makes a Section 21 notice valid, common invalidating defects, and how the Renters' Rights Act is phasing them out.
Read guideFirst time landlord: the step-by-step UK guide
From running the numbers and buy-to-let finance to safety certificates, referencing, tax and deciding whether to self-manage your first let.
Read guideThe Renters' Rights Act: a self-managing landlord's guide
Periodic tenancies, the end of Section 21, possession grounds, rent increases, the Property Portal, permitted payments and the full compliance checklist.
Read guideSection 8 notices: grounds, notice periods and process
The Schedule 2 grounds, how long each requires, ground 8 rent arrears, serving Form 3 correctly and the evidence a possession hearing turns on.
Read guideHow to evict a tenant: the legal process
Notice, possession order, warrant and bailiffs — choosing between section 8 and section 21, realistic timescales and costs, and what invalidates a claim.
Read guideHow much can a landlord increase rent?
The three routes to a higher rent, section 13 notices on Form 4, notice periods, the once-a-year rule and how the tribunal decides market rent.
Read guideRight to Rent checks: how to do them properly
Who must be checked, online share codes, manual and IDVT checks, follow-up checks, record keeping and penalties of up to £20,000 per occupier.
Read guideHow long does a section 8 eviction take?
A realistic stage-by-stage timeline: notice periods by ground, court listing times, the possession order, warrants and bailiffs, and what causes delay.
Read guideHow to apply for a rent increase: step by step
Choosing the right route, the twelve-month rule, completing Form 4 without errors, notice periods, serving it and proving service.
Read guideWhat to do if a tenant disputes the notice
The file audit to run first, section 21 and section 8 defences, arrears arithmetic, disrepair counterclaims, tribunal referrals and when to re-serve.
Read guideFree landlord calculators
Quick, accurate tools to help you value, compare and plan your next buy-to-let.
All calculators & tools
Every free NestIQ Wealth calculator for UK landlords in one place.
Open toolRental yield calculator
Gross yield, net yield and cash-on-cash return for any UK buy-to-let.
Open toolHMO yield calculator
Room-by-room income, bills, voids and licensing costs for an HMO.
Open toolStamp duty (SDLT) calculator
Second property and buy-to-let SDLT for England & NI, including the 5% surcharge.
Open toolBuy-to-let mortgage calculator
Monthly payments plus the lender ICR stress test on your rent.
Open toolRent affordability calculator
Income multiples for tenants, sharers and guarantors before referencing.
Open toolTenancy deposit cap calculator
The legal 5 or 6 week deposit cap under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
Open toolEstate & letting agent fees calculator
What UK estate and letting agent fees really cost per year versus self-managing.
Open tool