A free service has been launched by the Nationwide to help landlords manage properties and get through the maze of laws and rules surrounding the sector.

The Landlord Works says it also aims to help improve rental standards across the UK through education and support. 

Contents include educational resources and guides about rights and responsibilities, and tools relating to managing portfolios, time and income. There’s also a commercial side – a route to paying for self-assessment tax help, as well as promotion of Nationwide’s buy to let lender The Mortgage Works.

Features include free downloadable content such as a checklist for starting a new tenancy and an A-Z guide for new landlords, plus help on handling documents such as gas safety certificates, electrical inspections and energy performance certificates.

There will be a rental, sales and property comparison valuation tool, a facility for tracking rental finances and key dates relating to property insurance and health renewals. Landlords will also be able to connect multiple bank accounts to their profile.

Sara Bennison, Nationwide’s chief product and marketing officer, says: “The private rented sector is in dire need of reform, but to get there, landlords need to be given every ounce of support. Today, being a landlord is more complex than ever, and we want to make managing property more straightforward for both landlords and tenants, by giving support where it is needed.

“We hope the launch of The Landlord Works gives landlords the opportunity and ability to manage their finances and properties in one place and understand their commitments to their tenants. We hope over time that The Landlord Works becomes the go to place for UK landlords for help, support and guidance.

“As a mutual we are committed to improving the housing system and the private rented sector is a major part of that, particularly today. It is why we are working with a range of other organisations on the Future of Home and how we can collectively address some of the issues and make a positive difference.”