Simple Rent Ledger makes free, easy to use spreadsheets and plain English guides for small landlords with 1 to 10 rental units.
Who’s behind Simple Rent Ledger
I’m Alla Hermann. I build free, simple rent ledger spreadsheets for small landlords who rent out one home, a duplex or a few units, and I’ve written 50+ plain English guides, each checked against official sources like the IRS and state law. I update them every year when the rules change. New here? Start with the free rent ledger.
Every guide on this site shows the official source next to each rule, so you can check it yourself in a minute. If you spot something that changed, tell me and I’ll fix it.
Why we built this
Most landlord software is built for property managers with dozens of units. If you own a single family rental, a duplex or a triplex, you usually need something simpler: a clear record of who paid, how much, when, and what you spent, so tax time and tenant questions are easy.
That is what our templates do. They run in Google Sheets or Excel, they cost nothing, and you keep full control of your data.
What you will find here
- Free templates: rent ledgers, rent receipts, expense trackers and security deposit records.
- Step by step guides: how to record partial payments, late fees, prorated rent and more.
- Tax and record keeping help: how your records map to IRS Schedule E, with links to the official IRS sources.
- Honest tool comparisons: when a spreadsheet is enough, and when landlord software is worth paying for.
How we work
- We test every template with real world scenarios such as late payments, partial payments and vacancies.
- We link to official sources (IRS, HUD and state statutes) so you can check the details yourself.
- We update guides when rules or numbers change, such as the IRS mileage rate each year.
- We have no affiliate links or paid partnerships. If that ever changes, we will say so clearly on the page.
Important note
Our templates and guides are for general information and record keeping. Landlord and tenant laws vary by state. For decisions about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney, CPA or tax professional. Read our full Disclaimer.
Get in touch
Questions, template requests or a mistake you spotted? We read every message. Use our Contact page.