Built for your profession
For independent UK letting agents (2026)
You do not need a £700-per-month SmartSearch contract to be MLR-2017 compliant. The May 2025 sanctions rule applies the same way to a 5-let independent and a 500-let franchise. The difference is volume of checks, not the obligation per check.
Certaby runs each check pay-as-you-go from £2.95. No contract, no minimum spend, no setup fee. Sign in with email, run a check, download the signed PDF. The audit-cert format is the same one accepted by MLROs at large firms (the cert hash plus public verifier is what HMRC inspectors actually look at, not the price you paid).
Ready to run a check?
Same audit-cert PDF format used by larger firms. No contract, no setup fee. Pay per check.
Run your first check →Frequently asked questions
Can an independent letting agent really stay MLR-2017 compliant for under £100 per month?
For a 5-let-per-month independent (typical for an independent on the high street), 5 checks at £2.95 each is £14.75 per month. Plus a single annual firm risk-assessment review (free template at certaby.com/knowledge). Plus the basic MLRO sign-off (your own time). Total: under £20 per month for a small portfolio. The SmartSearch enterprise tier is structured for firms running 200+ checks per month.
Do I need an MLRO if I am a sole trader or a 2-person firm?
Under MLR-2017 reg 21, every UK letting agent regulated under the regulations must appoint a nominated officer (MLRO). For a sole trader this can be you yourself; for a 2-person firm, one of the principals. The MLRO does not need to be a separate hire. What matters is documented appointment plus annual training; both are free templates at certaby.com/knowledge.
What if I only let 1-2 properties per year — do I still need to screen?
Yes. There is no minimum-volume exemption in MLR-2017 for letting agents. The May 2025 amendment removed the rent threshold; it did not introduce a volume threshold. One let per year carries the same obligation per let as 500.
How quickly can I run my first check?
Sign in with email (no card to view the result), buy a £20 credit pack to run paid checks, then run a check in under 60 seconds. The signed PDF downloads immediately. The verify URL resolves immediately. No onboarding call, no compliance training session, no contract negotiation.
Is the cert the same format that MLROs at enterprise firms see?
Yes. The audit-cert format is documented at certaby.com/knowledge/audit-cert-format. The hash-bound PDF plus public verifier is profession-standard. A reviewing MLRO cannot tell from the cert whether you paid £2.95 per check or have an enterprise contract; the regulator-relevant content is identical.
Looking for something different? Check the suite catalogue, single-check tools, or the free FCA check.