What it really costs to run a let: certificates, licences, maintenance and the full annual picture, with sourced figures and the date we checked them.
Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Next review: April 2027 The rent looks like income. But by the time the mortgage, insurance, repairs, safety checks, empty weeks, agent fees and tax have come out, the money you actually keep can be a fraction of it. Industry research published in January 2026 found that running costs … Read more
Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Next review: April 2027 Short, direct answers to the questions landlords ask most often about costs, tax and compliance in England. Each answer links to a full guide with sources. Figures were checked on 8 October 2026. General costs How much does it cost to be a landlord? It … Read more
Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Next review: April 2027 Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) can produce higher rental income than single lets, but they come with more regulation and noticeably higher running costs. The most visible cost is the council licence — and because every council sets its own fees, the price for the … Read more
Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Next review: April 2027 Maintenance is the landlord cost that ruins budgets. The mortgage is predictable and insurance is renewed once a year, but a boiler failure, a roof leak or a full redecoration between tenants arrives when it arrives. And according to recent industry research, it’s taking a … Read more
Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Next review: April 2027 Every landlord in England needs three core certificates: a gas safety record every year, an electrical installation condition report (EICR) at least every five years, and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) every ten years. None of them has a government-set price, so costs vary by … Read more
