Plainfiles
Clear paperwork for small UK businesses
Plain-English guides to the rules that land on small UK businesses, village halls and landlords, plus the editable checklists, logs and workbooks to keep your records in order.
What Plainfiles is
When a licence, an inspection or a new HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rule lands on your desk, the hard part is knowing what is actually required and having the paperwork to show it. We read the legislation and the official guidance, say what is law, what is guidance and what is not yet in force, and turn it into documents you can fill in.
The guides on this site are free and link to every source. The kits and logbooks are there if you would rather not build the forms yourself. Plainfiles is run by TurboKast Ltd. More about us.
Guides
Each one is written from the official sources and shows the date it was last checked.
Martyn’s Law
Martyn’s Law standard tier: what a village hall, church or club actually has to do
Is your hall, church or club in Martyn’s Law’s standard tier (200 to 799 people)? Counting capacity, the four procedures, notifying the Security Industry Authority.
Making Tax Digital
Making Tax Digital for landlords: the £30,000 test explained
How the Making Tax Digital £30,000 test works for landlords: gross income not profit, £50k, £30k and £20k dates, quarterly updates, software, joint property.
Animal licensing
Dog home boarding and day care licence (England): the conditions in plain English
Dog home boarding and day care licence conditions in England in plain English: who needs one, star ratings, rooms, staffing, daily care and records.
Tips and service charges
Tipping law for UK employers: the policy, the records and the deadline
What UK tipping law (in force since 1 October 2024) asks of cafes, pubs and salons: pay-out deadline, written policy, records, staff requests and what is next.
Landlord safety
Legionella for landlords: do you need a risk assessment, and what should you keep?
Do landlords need a legionella risk assessment? What HSE says you must do, the temperature figures, empty homes, showers, tenants and the records worth keeping.
Making Tax Digital
Can landlords use Excel for Making Tax Digital? Spreadsheets and bridging software explained
Can landlords keep Making Tax Digital records in Excel or Google Sheets? Digital links, bridging software, quarterly dates and a 10-point spreadsheet check.
Animal licensing
Dog boarding licence cost in England: what 18 councils charge
What 18 English councils publish for a dog home boarding or day care licence, read from each council’s own page on 22 October 2026, with a link to every source.
Starter kits
Editable templates, instant download, sold on Payhip.
Landlord MTD Starter Kit
A spreadsheet starter workbook for landlords who must start Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 6 April 2027.
Martyn’s Law Standard Tier Kit
Templates for a village hall, church, club or small theatre committee getting ready for Martyn’s Law.
Dog Boarding & Day Care Licence Kit
A conditions cross-reference matrix and daily care log for dog home boarding and day care licences in England.
Tips & Service Charge Kit
A tipping policy template and records for cafés, pubs, restaurants and salons that take tips or service charges by card.
Paperback logbooks
Write-in record books by Liam Humphreys. Not live yet.
The UK Beekeeper’s Hive Inspection & Apiary Record Book
UK beekeepers
Coming soon on Amazon
Legionella & Water Hygiene Log Book for UK Landlords
Landlords in Great Britain
Coming soon on Amazon
UK Smallholder Livestock Medicine & Movement Record Book
Smallholders in England, Wales and Scotland
Coming soon on Amazon
Fire Alarm & Emergency Lighting Test Log Book for Small UK Premises
Small businesses, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), community halls and churches
Coming soon on Amazon