How Much Does It Cost to File Company Accounts for a Property Company?

The main cost to plan for is the accountant’s fee. These covers preparing, checking and submitting your accounts properly. For property companies, these fees are usually higher than for typical small businesses because the work is more complex. 

What Are the Accountants Cost Ranges for Property Companies to File Annual Accounts? 

The figures below are indicative ranges for the 2025 to 2026 filing cycle. Actual cost for annual accounts depends on the complexity of the work, the accountant's experience, and how well-organised your records are when you hand them over. 

Single-Property BTL SPV, Micro-Entity, No Employees 

For landlords who incorporated a buy-to-let (BTL) company, holding one residential property with no employees, the company qualifies as a micro-entity if: 

Turnover: ≤ £1,000,000  

Balance sheet: ≤ £500,000  

Employees: ≤ 10 (2 out of 3 criteria needed)  

Accountant fees: £800 to £1,500 per year (including the CT600 return) 

Lower end: For straightforward cases with clean records, no ATED exposure, and simple mortgage interest reporting.  

Upper end: If there’s a need for property valuation, deferred tax, or an ATED return.  

Portfolio Company with 3 to 10 Properties 

For companies holding 3–10 properties, the workload increases with more properties, mortgages, and complex reporting (especially under FRS 102). If VAT registered or dealing with intercompany loans, complexity increases. 

Accountant fees: £1,500 to £3,500 per year 

Lower end: Basic reporting, no VAT or intercompany issues.  

Upper end: With VAT returns, fair value assessments, or group structures.

Fee Examples 

Single-Property BTL (Micro-Entity)  

Turnover: £50,000  

Balance Sheet: £250,000  

Fee: £800–£1,200  

Single-Property BTL (Micro-Entity with Complexity)  

Turnover: £80,000  

Balance Sheet: £450,000  

Fee: £1,200–£1,500  

Portfolio Company (3–10 Properties, No VAT)  

Turnover: £250,000  

Balance Sheet: £1,200,000  

Fee: £1,500–£2,500  

Portfolio Company (10+ Properties, VAT Registered)  

Turnover: £750,000  

Balance Sheet: £3,000,000  

Fee: £2,500–£3,500+

Factors Affecting Company Accounts Fees

• More properties = more work (mortgages, valuations, fair value assessments).  
• VAT registration adds quarterly returns.  
• Group structures or intercompany loans increase complexity and cost.  
• ATED returns are required for properties worth over £500,000. 

Property Development Company with Active Projects

When you engage subcontractors on construction work, you normally fall under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). As a CIS contractor, you must register with HMRC, verify subcontractors, deduct tax from payments (unless they have gross status), submit monthly CIS returns, and pay the tax withheld to HMRC. 

Accountant Fees Are a Deductible Business Expense

Accountant fees that a company incurs for preparing its statutory accounts, filing its corporation tax (CT600) return, and complying with routine tax and accounting obligations are generally allowable expenses for UK corporation tax purposes, provided they are incurred wholly and exclusively for the company’s trade. This means they can be deducted from the company’s taxable profits, reducing the amount of tax the company pays. 

What to Look for When Choosing an Accountant for a Property Company 

Not all accountants have specialist knowledge of property accounting and tax. Before engaging one, check that they: 

• Understand investment property accounting, including how fair value changes affect profit and loss and deferred tax under UK GAAP (FRS 102).  
• Know the corporate tax treatment of mortgage interest, which differs from the restrictions that apply to individual landlords.  
• Are familiar with ATED rules if your company owns residential property near or above the ATED threshold.  

It’s also valuable if they hold a recognised qualification (such as ACCA or ICAEW) and have real experience with property clients rather than only general practice work. 

Conclusion 

For a single-property BTL SPV, accountant fees typically range from £800 to £1,500 per year for handling Companies House filings and the CT600. For a portfolio company with three to ten properties, fees range from £1,500 to £3,500, depending on complexity, VAT registration, and financing. An active development company can expect fees starting at £2,500, reaching up to £6,000 or more for more complex projects. 

While self-filing is possible, it carries risks due to the specialist knowledge required in areas like FRS 102, capital allowances, and iXBRL formatting. Professional help ensures accuracy, reduces tax liabilities, and makes the effective cost lower due to tax savings, as accountancy fees are generally deductible for corporation tax.

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