Landlord Studio Review vs Fineproof: Which Keeps UK Landlords Compliant in 2026/27?

The Compliance Burden UK Landlords Face in 2026/27 Has Never Been Higher

Get landlord compliance wrong in 2026/27, and it could cost you thousands. That's not an exaggeration; it's a fact. As of 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD ITSA) goes live for many landlords, bringing mandatory quarterly updates and a whole new penalty system with it (Finance Act 2024, s.1).

But MTD is only the start. The Renters' Reform Bill is queuing up a mandatory Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, meaning you'll soon have to register every single property you own. Add to that the strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Regulations, which carry hefty fines, and the ever-tightening Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rules. Under the government's Warm Homes Plan (confirmed January 2026), all rental properties must achieve a minimum EPC Band C by 1 October 2030. Mess up, and you could be hit with a penalty of up to £5,000 per property.

Do you have a clear picture of all your obligations? If not, take a moment to review our landlord compliance guides.

Fineproof vs Landlord Studio: Understanding Their Core Missions

Fineproofwas created for one reason: to solve the messy, specific problems of UK property tax and compliance. It was designed from day one to handle MTD ITSA, the PRS Database, AML, and EPC compliance. It's a system for your finances and for keeping you legal.

Landlord Studio, on the other hand, started out in 2017 as a general, global property management tool. It's great for the basics like tracking rent, logging expenses, and managing tenants. But its UK-specific compliance features are — let's be honest — still playing catch-up.

MTD ITSA is LIVE: Landlord Studio's 'Preparation' Puts Higher-Income Landlords at Risk

If you're a landlord with gross property income over £50,000, MTD ITSA isn't on the horizon — it's LIVE from 6 April 2026. You have to submit quarterly updates to HMRC. Miss these deadlines and you'll get hit with penalty points, leading to £200 fines.

Here's the difference in a nutshell:

• Fineproof: HMRC-recognised software. Submits quarterly updates, EOPS, and Final Declarations directly. Categorises transactions to SA105 boxes — Box 20 for Rent, Box 23 for Repairs, Box 31 for Legal & Professional Costs.
• Landlord Studio: Says it is 'preparing for MTD'. As of April 2026, it can't submit directly to HMRC. You have to manually export data and use separate bridging software to file.

Beyond MTD: Landlord Studio's Critical Compliance Gaps

The PRS Database

The Renters' Reform Bill will make it compulsory for all landlords to register properties on the PRS Database. Forgetting to register could land you a fine of up to £5,000.

• Fineproof: Integrated tracking and reminders for PRS Database registration built-in.
• Landlord Studio: Offers nothing for PRS Database compliance.

AML Checks

The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 carry penalties including unlimited fines and even prison time.

• Fineproof: Includes integrated AML checks for tenants.
• Landlord Studio: No AML features at all.

EPC Tracking

Under the Warm Homes Plan, all rental properties must achieve a minimum EPC Band C by 1 October 2030. Fail to comply, and you're looking at penalties of up to £5,000 per property.

• Fineproof: EPC certificate vault, expiry reminders, and energy efficiency upgrade tracking.
• Landlord Studio: Lacks any specific EPC tracking or reminder features.

Gas Safety, EICR, and Smoke Alarm Certificates

• Fineproof: Secure certificate vault with automated expiry reminders for all safety documents.
• Landlord Studio: No dedicated vault or automated reminders.

Financial Tracking: Where Both Platforms Are Strong

Income & Expense Tracking

Both platforms have solid systems for logging rent and categorising costs. The difference? Fineproof categorises everything according to HMRC's MTD ITSA rules, mapped directly to your tax return. Landlord Studio gives you detailed reports for general bookkeeping, but you'll need an extra step to translate into HMRC's format.

Bank Feeds & Receipt Scanning

Both use Open Banking for secure bank feeds and have receipt scanning. Fineproof adds AI that suggests categories and attaches receipts straight to transactions. Landlord Studio has similar features but is missing the MTD-ready intelligence.

Section 24 Mortgage Interest Relief

Section 24 means you can no longer deduct all your mortgage interest. Instead, you get a basic rate tax credit (20%).

• Fineproof: Calculates the Section 24 adjustment automatically, showing your actual taxable profit.
• Landlord Studio: Tracks mortgage interest as a cost but doesn't do the Section 24 calculation.

Let's run the numbers. A higher-rate taxpayer with £20,000 gross rent, £5,000 expenses, and £5,000 mortgage interest:

• Without Section 24: Taxable profit £10,000. Tax at 40% = £4,000.
• With Section 24: Taxable profit £15,000. Tax at 40% = £6,000. Tax credit £5,000 × 20% = £1,000. Final tax: £5,000 — £1,000 more than you might expect.

For the full breakdown, see our guide: MTD compliance guide for landlords.

Pricing Comparison: Value for Money in 2026/27

When a £200 MTD fine or a £5,000 EPC penalty lands on your doormat, that slightly cheaper subscription suddenly looks very expensive.

Who Should Choose Landlord Studio?

Landlord Studio isn't bad software. It could work if you only have one or two properties, have a high tolerance for manual checks, and don't mind exporting data to separate bridging software for MTD ITSA.

Who Should Choose Fineproof?

If you need MTD ITSA compliance right nowand want to file directly with HMRC. If you're concerned about the PRS Database, AML checks, and EPC rules. If you want one system for all your financial and compliance needs. If you need accurate Section 24 calculations to see your true tax bill. Fineproof is for you.

The Verdict

Landlord Studio is good at tracking your numbers, but its lack of direct MTD ITSA filing and its blind spots on UK compliance create real risks for landlords in 2026/27. Fineproof was built from the ground up for the UK. It's a single system that handles your finances intelligently and keeps you compliant with all four major regulatory challenges: MTD ITSA, PRS Database, AML, and EPC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Landlord Studio MTD compliant for UK landlords?

Landlord Studio is 'preparing' for MTD ITSA but, as of April 2026, does not offer direct submission to HMRC. You'd need to export data and use separate bridging software. Fineproof is HMRC-recognised and submits directly.

Does Landlord Studio handle Section 24 mortgage interest calculations?

No. Landlord Studio tracks mortgage interest as an expense but doesn't calculate the Section 24 restricted relief. Fineproof calculates this automatically.

What compliance features does Landlord Studio lack?

Landlord Studio has no features for PRS Database registration, AML tenant checks, EPC tracking or expiry reminders, or a certificate vault for gas safety, EICR, and other safety documents. These are all included in Fineproof.

How does Fineproof pricing compare to Landlord Studio?

Landlord Studio has a free 'Go' plan, with paid plans from about £8/month. Fineproof starts at £39/month (Portfolio plan, up to 10 properties) and includes all compliance features plus direct MTD ITSA submission.

Can I switch from Landlord Studio to Fineproof?

Yes. Landlord Studio offers data export, so you can bring your financial records across. The 14-day free trial lets you test the full feature set before committing.

This article is for informational purposes only and doesn't constitute tax or legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on GOV.UK and speak to a qualified tax adviser about your specific situation.