Managing a property can demand a lot from me, as the landlord. If I have more than one place to keep on track, this means more work. The situation will escalate to overwhelming when I also have a day job I do not want to lose.
I have heard from friends and colleagues who are also landlords that managing a property can be stressful to the point where a slight misunderstanding could cause a dispute between a landlord and a tenant. As a result, there might be a possibility of seeking the help of the law to settle the dispute, which might further require the parties to consult someone like a Denver probate lawyer.
But thankfully, in the age of technology, different apps and software types are being created specifically for landlords to ease the burden and make managing a property more effective.
Online Signups and Background Evaluations
Traditional house hunting requires sending the application forms to a potential landlord through mail or taking them in person. Today, a lot of properties have online applications which use electronic forms to let applicants fill in the necessary information. Some recognized companies that can provide tools like forms and such would be Microsoft and Google. Along with the normal online forms, Microsoft SharePoint used to provide something called an InfoPath, that allowed companies to create forms that supported computations, external data sources, conditional formatting, and custom code within the form itself. However, due to apparent flaws, they had to discontinue it for a little while before deciding to continue it again (learn more on this webpage or similar others). Regardless, making use of online forms for applications can make work easier for both the landlord and the potential tenant.
As the landlord, I can easily go through applications submitted online and quickly do a background check using resources such as Checkr, which can provide to me an extensive detail into one’s drug, health and criminal history. Tools such as this have brought efficiency in carrying out proper inspection on the credentials of a person and employers tend to use their services often. Having these applications in place ensures that landlords and recruit To make things even easier, I can use a tenant screening service to do background checks for me – see this for more details.ers are upholding standards in both professional and personal spaces alike.
Once satisfied, I can send feedback as soon as possible and wait for the touring date while still holding the conversation online in the meantime.
Digital Signatures
Online applications are a great and flexible way to get and vet potential tenants. However, some platforms could only be a delivery platform. This means applicants had to download application forms, sign them and then scan them to upload again. The process is sometimes tiring and can cause unforeseen delays.
With the likes of DocuSign and Dotloop, I do not have to worry about downloading several applications, print them to sign, and then go through the entire hassle of scanning to upload. I can easily sign digitally and have the applying tenants do the same. This will require a few seconds saving a tome of minutes.
Digital Lease and Rent Collection
Every tenant has a duty to pay their rent or lease money on time. As the landlord, I also have to ensure I make these collections on time. Unfortunately, I will not always be available on payment day, which can be an inconvenience to the tenants.
To prevent such hitches, many apps are now available to help landlords collect rent online. The likes of LeaseRunner, AppFolio, and Rentalutions offer flexible digital spaces for landlords and property managers to manage rent collection. Some charge per property while others per transaction. I could choose any depending on my preference and cost evaluation.
Online Finance Managers and Document Storage
Managing financial transactions and keeping applications safe are among the most challenging parts of being a landlord. Automating these processes saves a significant amount of time while ensuring the tenant-landlord relationship is not bruised due to uncommunicated schedules or misplaced forms.
A financial app such as Property Buddy helps landlords not only receive money through the app, they can also schedule notifications for rent due dates and safe online receipts to keep track of every payment. I can easily prepare my tax info and save certificates, inspection forms, and signed documents in specific folders.
Digital Maintenance Scheduling
When the tap water is not running or pipes have broken, tenants want them fixed immediately if possible. Sometimes the landlord could be too busy with other significant responsibilities to keep track of every maintenance call. Fortunately, many landlord management apps now offer the option of tenants making their requests online, including uploading images of the situation.
Some of these application sites are even more efficient by directing linking tenants to a repairment company on behalf of the landlord. This way, the tenant gets their request on time, and the landlord follows up to ensure everything is being handled okay.
Smart Smoke Detectors and Thermostats
Aside from ensuring efficient transactions and communication between landlords and tenants, technology makes it easier for the landlord to manage the property while saving costs and ensuring security. Smart carbon monoxide and smoke detectors keep me updated if there is any fire situation that needs my attention in real-time. To be honest, fires are becoming frequent of late. I have been hearing about wildfires causing havoc, which is why I think that it is time that all homeowners install smoke detectors or, at the least, use a fire protection service that can help keep the dwelling and the occupants safe.
Alternatively, house owners can use smart thermostats, which can ensure energy efficiency by controlling temperatures in apartments after learning temperature patterns over time. This prevents thermostat overwork or having the landlord regularly check if the system is working efficiently and regulating it manually.