Abide.Rent vs Alto
Alto: Zoopla’s agency CRM, with a rent review progression for assured periodic tenancies. Here is how it compares for Section 13 rent increases, tribunal evidence and Renters’ Rights Act compliance, with the sources.
Where Alto is stronger
- A full agency CRM with Zoopla behind it.
- Rent review progression that works out the earliest date a notice can be served.
- Notice generation through its partner, The Letting Centre.
Where Abide.Rent goes further
- Published tribunal decisions and a risk check on each proposed rent.
- Achieved-let comparables, proof of service and a tribunal bundle on the same record.
- An open API and MCP server (Alto works through a partner programme instead).
Feature by feature
| What you need under the Act | Alto | Abide.Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Section 13 notice (Form 4A) from the tenancy recordEvery tool has done this since 1 May 2026. | PartlyThrough a partner | YesOfficial form, locked once served; changes are revisions |
| Proof of service and tenant acknowledgementWhat a tenant disputes first. | Not checked | YesService record plus tenant acknowledgement |
| Proposed rent checked against published tribunal decisionsUnder-pricing is a 12-month ceiling; over-pricing invites a cut. | Not found | YesEvery published decision, refreshed daily |
| Comparables from achieved lettings, not asking rentsThe tribunal weighs achieved lets over adverts. | Not found | YesYour own achieved lets, anchored to ONS |
| Tribunal referral workflow and evidence bundleDirections, deadlines and the statement if the tenant applies. | Not found | YesDirections, deadlines and bundle |
| Insurance against a tribunal cutPays out after a challenge; does not prevent one. | Not found | NoWe do not sell insurance |
| PRS Database readiness per propertyRegistration opens 15 December 2026, region by region. | Not checked | YesPer property, with your region’s window |
| Certificates and compliance dates trackedGas, EICR, EPC, deposit, Right to Rent, licensing. | Yes | Yes |
| Section 8 possession notices (Form 3A)Section 21 is gone. | Not checked | YesForm 3A with the grounds |
| Who is legally responsible for each duty, landlord or agentOnly Right to Rent and gas safety transfer, and only in writing. | Not found | YesPer property, with the liability |
| Landlord and tenant portalsOne record each party can see. | Not checked | YesLandlords and tenants free |
| Open API and AI assistant (MCP) accessConnect your CRM and tools. | PartlyPartner programme | YesPaid plans; OAuth MCP server |
| Prices published on the websiteNo sales call to find out. | Not found | Yes |
| Free migration from your current systemSwitching without re-keying. | Not checked | YesImports, spreadsheets and files, free |
From Alto’s public materials and trade press, checked 23 October 2026. “Not found” means we did not find it there; “Not checked” means we have not looked. Products change: if a cell is out of date, email us and we will correct it. Not legal advice.
Use both? Yes. Keep Alto for the agency; add Abide.Rent for rent reviews, evidence and compliance.
Start your free trialThe part nobody else publishes
Abide.Rent reads every rent decision the First-tier Tribunal publishes and puts the local record on each rent review, so you see how often figures like yours get cut before you serve. Search the decisions free.
Sources
Abide.Rent or Alto: questions
Is Abide.Rent an alternative to Alto?
For rent reviews, Renters’ Rights Act compliance and tribunal evidence, yes. Yes. Keep Alto for the agency; add Abide.Rent for rent reviews, evidence and compliance.
Can I move from Alto to Abide.Rent?
Yes. We migrate your properties, tenancies, landlords and documents free, from exports, spreadsheets or folders, and check the result with you before you start.
How much does Abide.Rent cost?
One-month free trial, no card needed. Then £8.99 a month including 3 properties, or stay on Solo, free for 1 property. Tenants never pay.
Where do these comparisons come from?
From Alto’s public website and help pages and trade press, checked on 23 October 2026. “Not found” means only that we did not find it there, not that it does not exist. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it.
Other comparisons
Spreadsheets, folders, another CRM — we migrate it all, free.
Send us what you have, in whatever state it is in. We import it, check it and fix the gaps with you, then stay with you until your first rent review goes out. No migration fee, on any plan.