Best business bank accounts for landlords UK

Landlords, whether operating as an individual, partnership or limited company, often choose to treat their property lettings like a business. That means it’s important to have the right business bank account.

Choosing the right business bank account that fits your needs can save you time, money and stress - especially if you’re managing multiple rentals and handling international payments.

In this guide, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about business bank accounts for landlords in the UK.

This includes when you might need one, what features you may want to prioritise, how leading providers compare, and how Wise Business can help to streamline your property finances.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Do landlords need a dedicated business bank account?

Yes, landlords do usually need a dedicated business bank account, although it depends on the scale of your property portfolio and how you structure your rentals.

When it’s required (or strongly recommended):

• If your properties are held in a limited company, you legally need a business bank account.
• If you have multiple properties or tenants, separating your finances via a business account will help with accounting and audits.
• Some lenders and insurers prefer or require business accounts for mortgage and insurance arrangements.
• If you deal with international payments (overseas landlords, foreign contractors, global suppliers), a business account with multicurrency features can be beneficial.

When a personal account might be enough

• Landlords with one property and minimal transactions

It’s important to note that no matter how small your rental operations are, using your personal bank account for the occasional landlord payment or rent can complicate tax and bookkeeping.

Even small landlords can benefit from a dedicated business account for transparency and professionalism.

Features to look for in a business account for landlords

Bank account features vary and the best one for you depends on your individual circumstances.

Below, you’ll find some of the most relevant to landlords, so you can compare when reviewing the different types of business accounts on offer.

Feature	Why it matters for landlords
No or low monthly fees	Rental income can fluctuate so you don’t want bank fees eating into your margins
Free or low-cost UK transfers	Landlords typically pay contractors, utilities and agents which means frequent transfers
Ability to receive rent via BACS or Direct Debit	This simplifies tenant payments
Multi-currency and international payments	Ideal for overseas landlords or foreign contractors
Accounting software integration	Easily syncs with Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent for tax purposes
Batch payments and bulk pay tools	Useful if you manage multiple properties or contractors
Cash or cheque deposit options	Some tenants or contractors prefer traditional payments
Transparent fees and FX rates	Means you can avoid hidden markups or nasty surprises

Many bank accounts also come with additional features such as mobile apps and advanced analytics, but the above are typically the most relevant for landlords and can help to manage cashflow.

Best business bank accounts for landlords in the UK: an overview

Finding the right business bank account as a landlord ultimately depends on how you operate. For example, do you own a few buy-to-lets personally, manage a portfolio through a limited company or handle overseas transactions?

Below, we’ve compared some of the most popular business accounts in the UK that landlords often consider.

Each differs in cost, accessibility and features so it’s worth reviewing them in full before deciding which suits your property business best.

1. Wise Business

Wise Business is a good option for landlords managing properties across the UK and around the world. Whilst Wise is not a bank, as a digital provider it offers a flexible multi-currency account to streamline payments and receive rent globally. Accounts are set-up online and you can open an account for £50 (Advanced plan) or for free (Essentials plan), but no monthly subscription.

Features:

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies at once
• Get account details in 8+ currencies to receive rent as if you are a local
• Send fast, low-cost payments to 140+ countries
• Debit and expense cards for your team, usable in 150+ countries
• No monthly fees, minimum balances or foreign transaction fees
• Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks and other accounting tools
• Batch payments for up to 1,000 recipients
• Free invoicing tools within the account.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Strengths:

• Transparent and low-cost international transfers
• Clear and transparent pricing
• Mid-market exchange rates
• Easy multi-user access and automation via Wise API
• Earn returns on GBP, EUR and USD with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed) Investments can fluctuate, and your capital is at risk. Interest is offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise Payments Ltd. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you're uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.
• Excellent for landlords with international tenants or overseas property costs
• Strong tools for expense control.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Limitations:

• No in-person branch access
• Doesn’t provide loans or overdrafts.

2. Starling Bank Business Account

Starling is a fully digital bank, available to both limited companies and sole traders. It offers a free business account for landlords who prefer mobile-first banking and simple accounting integration. There’s also optional add-ons like a Business Toolkit to help streamline accounts and bookkeeping for £7 a month.¹

Features:

• Free UK business account with no monthly fee
• Real-time notifications and categorised spending insights
• Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent
• Deposit cash at Post Office branches.

Strengths:

• No monthly fees for standard account
• FCA-regulated and FSCS protected
• Easy mobile and desktop banking interface
• Strong user experience in the UK.

Limitations:

• Limited international payment options
• No landlord-specific features or multi-currency support - applications for multi-currency accounts are currently suspended²
• International transfers can come with higher costs.

3. Tide Business Account

Another popular account for UK landlords is Tide. It offers fast set-up and intuitive business management tools for those who want to bank on their mobiles.

Features:

• Quick online application, often approved within minutes
• Multiple payment cards for team members
• Expense categorisation and integrated invoicing tools
• Connection to accounting software like Xero
• Variable tiers with differing transfer limits, user seats and cards.

Strengths:

• Fast set-up and user-friendly mobile experience
• Good for landlords managing multiple properties
• No monthly fees for the basic plan³
• Clean user interface.

Limitations:

• No branch access
• International payments not included by default
• Doesn’t support overdrafts
• Higher-tiers costs can add up.

4. Revolut Business Account

Revolut offers a modern and digital-first banking experience suitable for landlords who require multi-currency capabilities and flexibility.

Features:

• Instant account set-up online
• Multi-currency accounts for easy payments and receipts
• Physical and virtual payment cards for team members
• Integrated expense management and accounting software connections
• Real-time notifications for transactions.

Strengths:

• Excellent for landlords with international transactions
• Competitive foreign exchange rates with minimal fees
• Multiple cards for team members
• Advanced analytics and budgeting tools.

Limitations:

• No physical branches for in-person support
• Certain features restricted to higher-tier plans
• Limited traditional lending options
• Fees can escalate with usage.

5. Traditional high-street banks

Some landlords prefer established high-street banks like Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest for their business accounts. These offer a combination of branch access, lending options and familiar services, making them a reliable choice for those who value in-person guidance and support.

Features:

• Wide network of branches and ATMs across the UK
• Business debit and credit cards available
• Online and mobile banking platforms
• Overdrafts, loans and other lending products
• Often offer integration with accounting software and payment solutions.

Strengths:

• Trusted, long-standing institutions with strong reputations
• Access to a full suite of financial products and advisory services
• Branch support for complex issues
• Suitable for landlords who value traditional banking relationships.

Limitations:

• Monthly fees and maintenance charges are common
• International payments can be expensive
• Account opening process could be slower
• Less innovative digital features.

Best business bank accounts for landlords in the UK - a quick comparison

To help you choose the right business account for your needs, here’s a handy at-a-glance comparison of all the main options - comparing them on fees, Trustpilot rating, international support and integrations/add-ons.

Provider	Monthly Fee	Trustpilot Rating	International support	Integrations & Add-ons
Wise Business	None, open an account for £50 (Advanced plan) or for free (Essentials plan)	4.3⁴	Hold & convert in currencies, send to countries	Xero, QuickBooks, API
Starling Business	£0 base¹	4.2⁵	International transfer options (fees apply)	Xero, FreeAgent, bulk payments
Tide Business	£0 base³	4.2⁶	Limited FX/international transfers	Integration with accounting software
Revolut Business	Starts at £10 per month⁷	4.6⁸	Hold & send in multiple currencies, competitive FX rates	Xero, QuickBooks, API, Zapier
High street banks	Varies by provider	Varies by provider	International payments often expensive	Accounting software integration varies

Alternative and complementary set-ups

Even with a business bank account, some landlords choose to use complementary tools to make payments and financial management run more smoothly. A few options include:

• Personal bank account + Wise: Smaller landlords might stick with a personal bank for UK operations and supplement with Wise for making international payments.
• Multiple accounts by regions or property: Some choose to have separate accounts for each property cluster. For example, London vs abroad.
• Fintech payment platforms: Platforms such as Stripe and PayPal can be used for property-related payments.

If your needs are complex, you don’t necessarily need to put all of your banking eggs in one basket. Instead, you could consider a hybrid approach that best suits your current situation and banking preferences.

Choosing the right account for your landlord business

Selecting the right bank account as a landlord isn’t just about fees and features. It’s about finding a solution that supports you, protects your money and makes your day-to-day life easier.

After all, landlords often have unique needs compared with other small businesses especially when it comes to handling multiple rental income streams, paying contractors and managing deposits. This is just one reason why many landlords prefer an option that allows them to separate accounts for each property or portfolio to help with budgeting, tracking income and expenses and simplify tax reporting.

Integration with accounting tools is another major factor. Automatic connections mean that rental income and expenses can be easily imported - not only reducing the risk of manual errors but also saving time. Some accounts also include invoicing and expense tracking, which can be particularly useful for landlords managing multiple contractors.

For those working globally or dealing with overseas tenants, multi-currency capabilities and low-cost international transfers are crucial. Traditional banks often charge high fees for foreign payments, and exchange rates can add hidden costs.

Finally, don’t ignore access and support. As a landlord you may need quick help if an unexpected issue arises - whether it’s a failed payment or app difficulty. Some fintechs offer 24/7 support via online chat or phone, whereas traditional banks may have limited hours and slower response times.

Ultimately, choosing the right account comes down to you and your priorities. Whether you need advanced multi-currency features, integration with accounting software or are simply looking for a modern and mobile-first experience, selecting an account tailored to landlords can streamline your operations and give you more time to focus on growing your property business.

Why Wise Business is the good fit for landlords

Here's how Wise Business can work well as your landlord banking hub:

• Hold and exchange currencies transparently
• Receive rent using local account details in 8+ currencies, acting like a local bank to your tenants abroad
• Send payments overseas easily to suppliers or contractors via countries
• Cards for your team usable in countries
• Batch payments (pay multiple contractors or suppliers in one go)
• Integrations, API & automation to streamline reconciliation
• Wise Interest to help funds work harder (Capital at Risk, growth not guaranteed)

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

With Wise Business, landlords can manage local and international payments effortlessly, all while keeping costs low and operations efficient.

---

Sources used:

1. Starling Bank - Business account
2. Starling Bank - Multi-currency accounts
3. Tide - Business account
4. Trustpilot - Wise
5. Trustpilot - Starling
6. Trustpilot - Tide
7. Revolut - Business account
8. Trustpilot - Revolut

Sources last checked on date: 03-Nov-2025