HouseDossier
Buy-to-Let Report

Buy-to-Let Property Report UK -
Investment Intelligence Before You Buy

Check EPC compliance, flood risk, rental demand and 70+ BTL-critical data points before committing to a buy-to-let purchase. The due diligence every investor needs.

Try a postcode (SW1A 2AA) or “12 SW1A 2AA”. Covers England and Wales.

Free preview always included. Full BTL intelligence report from £19.95.

Why This Matters

BTL Has Never Been More Regulated - Or More Risky Without Due Diligence

The buy-to-let landscape has transformed over the past decade. Section 24 tax changes, the abolition of stamp duty relief, stricter EPC requirements, expanded licensing regimes, and the Renters Reform Act have all increased the compliance burden and financial risk for landlords. A property that made excellent sense as a BTL in 2015 may be marginal - or even compliant-challenging - in 2025.

The EPC compliance issue alone represents a significant risk. Properties currently rated F or G cannot be legally let. Properties rated D or E face potential upgrade requirements under proposed legislation. Understanding the current rating, the cost of improvement, and the available grant funding is essential before purchase.

Our BTL report gives you the data layer that no estate agent provides - hard facts on compliance, risk, and neighbourhood quality that determine whether an investment will perform.

2.74M

landlords in England (2024)

MHCLG

EPC E

legal minimum to let - F/G properties cannot be tenanted

MHCLG MEES Regs

£7,500

BUS grant towards heat pump - available for EPC D+ properties

DESNZ

5–6%

average gross BTL yield in England (2024)

Paragon Bank BTL Index

What the BTL Report Covers

Six Areas That Make or Break a BTL Investment

EPC Compliance & Improvement Costs

Current EPC rating (must be E or above to let), estimated cost to reach C, available grants (GBIS, BUS, ECO4), and projected energy costs for tenants. The single most important compliance check for landlords.

Price History & Yield Baseline

Full sold price history from Land Registry, with comparable sales to establish a fair purchase price. The foundation of your yield calculation - and vital for assessing whether the asking price is realistic.

Flood & Environmental Risk

EA flood zone and surface water risk. Properties in Zone 3 can be unmortgageable for BTL. Insurance costs are significantly higher in Zones 2 and 3, directly affecting net yields.

Rental Demand Indicators

Deprivation index, population density, employment rates, and transport links - the neighbourhood factors that determine void rates and tenant quality. High-demand postcodes command premium rents and lower voids.

Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour

Crime rates by category from Police.uk for the property postcode. Higher crime areas typically experience greater property damage, insurance costs, and difficulty attracting desirable tenants.

Planning History & Licensing Flags

Full planning history including any enforcement notices. Nearby major developments can either enhance or blight values. Planning records also indicate whether the property has previously been used as an HMO.

How It Works

BTL Due Diligence in 60 Seconds

01

Enter the investment property address

We identify the property by UPRN. For portfolio investors, each property is checked individually - ensuring precise data rather than postcode-level averages.

02

We pull BTL-critical data from 15 sources

EPC register, Land Registry, Environment Agency, Police.uk, ONS deprivation indices, MHCLG housing data and more - all queried simultaneously.

03

Receive your BTL intelligence report

A clear, structured report covering all BTL-relevant data. Download as a PDF for your records, use in mortgage applications, or share with your letting agent.

Report Preview

What Your BTL Report Includes

  • EPC current rating, potential rating and improvement costs
  • Grant eligibility for EPC upgrades (GBIS, BUS, ECO4)
  • Full sold price history and comparable sales
  • Gross yield estimate at current asking price
  • Flood zone designation and insurance risk band
  • Crime rate by category vs national average
  • ONS deprivation decile for the LSOA
  • Broadband speeds (Ofcom) - critical for tenant demand
  • Planning history including any HMO applications
  • Council tax band (affects affordability for tenants)
  • Local schools Ofsted ratings (attracts family tenants)
  • Subsidence risk (BGS GeoSure) - affects insurance costs

Pricing

Instant BTL Intelligence

Quick Check

£9.95per report
  • EPC rating & compliance status
  • Sold price history
  • Flood risk
  • Crime statistics
  • Council tax band
Get Quick Check
RECOMMENDED FOR BTL

Full Dossier

£19.95per report
  • EPC grant eligibility analysis
  • ONS deprivation indicators
  • Subsidence & ground risk
  • Full planning history
  • AI investment summary & red flags
Get Full Dossier

FAQ

Buy-to-Let - Frequently Asked Questions

What EPC rating do I need for a rental property in 2025?
As of 2025, all tenancies in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of E or above. The government previously consulted on raising this to C for new tenancies by 2025 and all tenancies by 2028, though the precise timeline has been subject to revision. Our report shows the current EPC rating and clearly flags whether a property meets the current minimum, what improvement work would be required to reach C, and what grant funding might be available.
How do I estimate rental yield for a property?
Gross rental yield is calculated as (annual rent / property price) × 100. For example, a £200,000 property renting for £900 per month has a gross yield of 5.4%. Net yield deducts costs (mortgage, management fees, maintenance, insurance, voids, letting fees). Our report provides the sold price history and local rental demand indicators. For precise rental valuations, you would still need a local letting agent's appraisal, but our report gives you the price baseline and postcode-level rental data from the Valuation Office Agency (where available).
Does flood risk affect buy-to-let mortgages?
Yes. Properties in Flood Zone 3 can be very difficult to mortgage for buy-to-let purposes. Lenders typically require specialist flood risk assessments, and some will decline applications altogether for Zone 3a and 3b properties. Even Zone 2 properties may attract loading on premiums. Our report flags the EA flood zone designation and estimated insurance flood band so you can assess whether a property is mortgageable before committing to a purchase.
What are the key checks a landlord should do before buying?
The essential BTL checks are: (1) EPC rating - must be E or above to let legally; (2) flood risk - affects mortgage availability and insurance; (3) planning history - ensure no enforcement notices, and check whether the property type is suitable for HMO licensing if relevant; (4) subsidence risk - buildings insurance for subsidence-affected properties can be expensive; (5) local crime and deprivation - affects void rates and tenant quality; (6) broadband speeds - increasingly a deal-breaker for tenants.
Can I check HMO suitability with HouseDossier?
We do not provide HMO licensing eligibility assessments (which depend on your specific local authority's licensing schemes and the number of storeys and occupants). However, our report provides the planning history (which may show whether a property has planning consent for use as an HMO under Class C4), and the local crime and deprivation data, which are relevant to HMO location assessments. Contact your local authority's private sector housing team for HMO licensing requirements.
What is the impact of the Section 24 mortgage interest relief changes on BTL?
Since April 2020, landlords can no longer deduct mortgage interest from rental income for tax purposes - instead receiving a 20% tax credit. This has significantly reduced profitability for higher-rate taxpayers and changed the yield calculations for many portfolios. Our report does not provide tax advice, but the detailed financial analysis in the Full Dossier (council tax band, EPC improvement costs, estimated rent) gives you the raw data to model net returns.

Check Your Investment

Invest with confidence - check the numbers first

Enter any UK property for instant BTL intelligence - EPC, yield, risk and demand in 60 seconds.

Try a postcode (SW1A 2AA) or “12 SW1A 2AA”. Covers England and Wales.

Free preview included. Full BTL report from £19.95.

EPC Compliance CheckSold House PricesCrime Statistics

Guides to go deeper

What Is a Ceiling Price on a House? (And How to Find Yours in 10 Minutes)

The ceiling price is the most any home on a street will sell for, however much you spend on it. Here's how to calculate yours from free Land Registry data — and what it means whether you're renovating or making an offer.

Read the guide

How to Find Out How Much a House Sold For in the UK: Every Free Method, Step by Step

Every registered sale in England and Wales is public record — and checking it is free. Here's exactly how to look up any sold price, why it can take six months to appear, and how to read the number like a valuer.

Read the guide

What to Check Before Buying a House in the UK: 12 Checks to Run Before You Offer

Twelve checks every UK buyer should run before making an offer - flood risk, subsidence, crime, sold prices, EPC and more - with step-by-step instructions for the free official tools.

Read the guide