If you own a rental property, you may want to keep an active role in finding tenants, managing repairs, and getting the most revenue from your investment. On the other hand, you might prefer to step back and put property management on autopilot as much as possible.
The beauty of landlord software is that it can assist you with either approach. There are all kinds of solutions out there, and with the right combination, you can manage your property your way with less effort and a more significant ROI.
This guide will show you how to find that winning combination of tools, with details on some of the leading software available for different parts of property management.
If you want to stay on top of that never-ending to-do list, software that’s purpose-built for property management is a must.
Why?
Let’s just say that if you only use generic software such as MS Office® or Quickbooks® to handle various tasks, you’re barely scratching the surface of how technology can simplify the stressful landlord life.
High-quality landlord software has features designed specifically for those who manage properties, to help them complete very specific tasks, such as handling deposits or conducting property inspections, quickly and easily.
Think about the time and resources you would save with automated rent reminders for tenants, maintenance task-management workflows that put your requests and work orders in one place, and accounting tools that include bookkeeping templates—not to mention the specialized support that comes with many property management software solutions.
We’ll explore these features in detail below.
When searching for small landlord property management software, consider the following features within each solution.
Tenant payment software should allow you to customize due dates and amounts for your tenants and keep a clear record for your team.
Take customization further with tools that incentivize on-time payments through rent reporting, which boosts the credit scores of renters who pay on time consistently.
Ideally, these features should be easy to set up, come at low or no cost to you, and provide real value to tenants. Depending on your location, you may even be able to charge a small fee and gain some additional recurring revenue. Be sure to check state and local laws first.
When deciding which small landlord property management software is right for you, look for a secure solution that features a mobile app or, at the very least, a mobile-friendly payment feature through a browser. A mobile app is ideal for residents to make and track payments, as well as to check on a unit's rent status and send reminders promptly.
But why stop at payments? Handle other critical jobs, such as conducting inspections and scheduling showings from a mobile app. On-the-go features, such as the ability to snap a photo on your phone during a walkthrough or access potential applicants' contact details, ensure you get the most out of your tech investment.
Automated reminders and push notifications mean less time contacting tenants to find late or missing payments. Many small landlord property management software solutions include an option to set up automatic payments. Tenants can make recurring payments via ACH or credit card and never worry again about late or missing checks.
You can use notifications to stay on top of the progress of maintenance work and time-sensitive transactions that are important to your bottom line, as well.
Having a digital record of each message, invoice, and report makes it easier to stay on top of day-to-day bookkeeping and tax reporting. It also gives you a detailed record to look back on during disputes.
Security you can trust is essential for every landlord. You’re handling tenants' sensitive personal and financial information. The best landlord software is secure and often safer than manual methods.
A secure system of record means you’ll unlock all these benefits without worrying if your or your tenants’ data is protected.
You may already have a few apps you’re using to run your day-to-day. But how do you keep those organized? A good landlord app will allow for integrations, so you can centralize your technology and not have to jump from app to app.
Once you’ve identified the most crucial landlord software features, it’s time to determine if the software you’re considering allows you to add on other tools and apps. That builds in space for your real estate investments to grow over time and ensures you aren't changing software every year or so.
Now you have the features in mind that you’re looking for, it’s time to find the right software solution. Below, we’ll walk through our 14 favorite landlord software options, each option's features, and where to learn more.
These landlord apps run the gamut of property management software—from apps that help you screen tenants and manage maintenance to full-suite solutions that handle every aspect of property management.
And speaking of property management, we’ve even included an app to help you find a property manager, so you can shift most—if not all—of the work off your plate.
We’ve searched far and wide to find 14 of the best landlord property management software solutions, so you don’t have to. Let’s dive in.
Let’s begin our list with the all-in-one human solution that boosts your profits and shrinks your budget like no other: hiring a property manager. In fact, If you’d like to skip the rest of this article, we recommend you start and end with All Property Management® (APM).
APM is, no surprise, our favorite online service that finds the best local property managers so landlords and property owners barely have to lift a finger.
On APM’s site, you can access industry tips, FAQs, and in-depth guides on the different aspects of property management, including everything from repairs to local regulations. There’s even a rent calculator to help you strike that balance between affordability for your tenants and profitability for you.
APM’s defining feature, however, is its Find a Property Manager search tool. It makes it easy to find and compare the best property management companies in your area that meet your specific needs.
Whether you’re the landlord of a single rental property or multiple units, APM connects you with qualified property managers who can help maximize your investment and minimize stress.
With a nationwide network of property management companies, APM makes finding the right fit for your unique needs and budget easy.
All Property Management allows landlords to:
APM’s website offers additional property owner resources, such as:
The best part? All Property Management is free for property owners. Start your search today.
Buildium® has an array of features that cover multiple property types. And, if Buildium doesn’t have a tool you need, one of their Marketplace partners likely does. This makes it easy to customize the software to fit your property management needs. Additionally, Buildium offers excellent customer support to help you navigate any issues or questions while using the platform.
An ecosystem of apps and digital services that integrate seamlessly with your Buildium account, the marketplace allows landlords to:
Buildium’s features include the following:
Buildium offers three tiers of pricing. All plans include:
The three tiers are customized to meet the needs of property management businesses in different phases of growth:
Rentometer® allows landlords to check their neighborhoods' rent “temperature” to ensure the listed rent is competitive and fair. This tool can also help tenants negotiate rent prices with their landlords and make informed decisions about where to live based on the average rent prices in different areas. Additionally, it can provide valuable insights for real estate investors looking to purchase properties in profitable rental markets.
Rentometer’s features allow landlords to:
Rentometer offers a seven-day free trial for interested clients to investigate their services with no credit card required. Beyond the free trial, they also offer three pricing options:
ShowingHero® is a cost-effective solution for managing showings that reduces the number of days a unit remains vacant. This landlord software is a communications management tool that can save time and stress by allowing users to set up showings quickly and easily.
With ShowingHero, you can schedule showings, receive feedback from potential tenants, and manage all your lease agreements in one place. It even integrates with Buildium for complete lease management, streamlining the entire showings process from start to finish.
ShowingHero allows landlords to:
ShowingHero offers five Hero Packages depending on a landlord’s portfolio size:
HappyCo® builds software solutions for landlords who manage multifamily housing. Their software streamlines property management tasks such as rent collection, maintenance requests, and lease renewals. The platform allows landlords to keep track of properties and tenants while saving time and increasing efficiency.
Managing multiple units is HappyCo’s strong suit. Their features help landlords keep up with small tasks before they become big problems.
HappyCo offers:
HappyCo provides custom quotes based on individual real estate portfolios and needs. Their subscription products and services are based on a per unit, per month rate, and a minimum of 250 units is required.
Obligo® offers an alternative solution to traditional security deposits. It aims to simplify the rental process for landlords and tenants while providing financial protection for property owners.
Obligo offers the following features for landlords:
Obligo's deposit-free pricing starts at $7.90/month and varies depending on security requirements. The service fee is paid upfront for year one and continues in monthly installments upon renewal.
PetScreening® is a comprehensive software platform that simplifies pet management for real estate landlords. It systematically screens and manages pets in rental properties, encouraging a harmonious environment for all residents.
PetScreening offers the following features:
Payment options for Pet Owners:
Nutiliti® is a utility activation management software that simplifies activating and managing utilities for rental properties. It helps landlords streamline utility management tasks and ensures quick and hassle-free utility setup for new tenants.
Nutiliti offers the following features for landlords:
Contact Nutiliti for a demo to learn more about pricing.
Baselane® offers landlords accounting and bookkeeping services to help them manage rental properties efficiently. Services include tracking rental income and expenses, preparing financial statements, and handling tax filings. By outsourcing these tasks to a professional, landlords save time and ensure that their financial records are accurate and up-to-date.
Baselane allows landlords to connect existing bank accounts or open a Baselane banking account to simplify property banking and finance. Here are a few features they offer:
Baselane is a free landlord software but plans to offer premium features in the future for a small monthly fee.
While PayYourRent® primarily focuses on rent collection, each pricing plan also includes access to additional property management Features such as maintenance requests, tenant screening, and rental applications.
Additionally, PayYourRent provides individualized payment options to meet each landlord's particular requirements, making it a flexible and practical platform for all kinds of rental properties.
The following are some features of the PayYourRent software:
Three pricing tiers are available with PayYourRent, depending on the number of properties in your portfolio.
Beyond each plan’s allotted ACH transactions, you’ll have to pay an additional $2.50 per ACH payment and $0.20 plus 2.95% for every credit card payment (3.25% for an Amex card).
Evictions are no one’s favorite task. But thankfully, some software helps landlords avoid these situations, if possible, and navigate them when unavoidable. For example, Resident Interface® allows landlords to handle notices, evictions, and collections.
Resident Interface is a family of apps and landlord software solutions that include the following services.
Pricing details are not publicly available. You’ll have to contact them directly to learn more.
LandlordStudio® customers claim this property management software reduces financial paperwork by nearly 95%, allowing them to focus on other essential tasks. The software also provides real-time data analysis and reporting, giving property managers valuable insights into their financial performance.
Touting itself as the “simple everything software for landlords,” LandlordStudio offers the following features on its app:
LandlordStudio offers two pricing plan options: Go and Pro.
With most tenant applications processed online these days, property owners and landlords should be aware of rising levels of identity fraud in the rental housing industry. First Advantage® provides background checks and screening that landlords can trust.
First Advantage’s features include:
Pricing for First Advantage's services varies depending on factors such as the type of service requested, the organization's scale, and each client's specific needs. Contact First Advantage directly for accurate and up-to-date pricing information.
Guestly® offers services and solutions to manage short-term rentals effectively. The platform allows property owners and landlords to list properties on popular booking sites and manage reservations while providing tools for pricing optimization and guest communication. They also offer cleaning and maintenance services.
Guestly features include:
Subscriptions start at $34 per month for one listing, $51 for two, and $69 for three. If you’re listing more than three rentals, you can request a quote to be matched with a specific rate.
Guesty offers additional services like Chargeback Protection and Smart Lock Automation for an additional fee.
When beginning your journey with any new landlord software or app, carefully evaluate each option's features, functionality, scalability, and cost before making a final selection.
The best way to start is to explore each software for yourself with a free trial. But if you’re looking to skip the guesswork—and the legwork—hiring an experienced property manager can save you the hassle. Find local professional property managers in seconds by starting your search with APM for free.