Please note that we cannot give taxation advice, and specialist advice must be sought.
As a residential landlord in the UK, the primary requirement for tax purposes is to register for Self Assessment and declare your rental income if you receive over £1,000 in gross annual rental income
Registration Requirements*
- Income Threshold: You must complete a Self Assessment tax return if your total annual rental income is more than £1,000 before expenses (your property allowance).
- Registration Deadline: You need to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by 5 October following the tax year in which you first received rental income.
- How to Register: You can register for Self Assessment via the official GOV.UK website. Once registered, HMRC will send you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number, which you need to file your tax return.
- Tax Year: The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year.
- Existing Taxpayers: If you already send a tax return for other reasons (e.g., you are self-employed), you just need to ensure your rental income is included in your existing return
* Tax requirements are subject to regular change. Check details with HMRC or your tax advisor.
Ongoing Obligations
Once registered, you must:
- Keep accurate records of all rent received and allowable expenses (invoices, receipts, bank statements, etc.).
- Complete and submit an annual Self Assessment tax return (specifically, the SA105 UK property section). The deadline for online submission and payment is usually 31 January after the end of the tax year.
- Pay Income Tax on your rental profit, which is added to any other income you have and taxed at your marginal rate.
Other Considerations
- Making Tax Digital (MTD): From April 2026, landlords with a total annual qualifying income over £50,000 will be required to use MTD-compatible software to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. The threshold will reduce to £30,000 from April 2027.
