Renting, There’s an App For That

Technology is on the forefront of innovation and convenience. Each and every day a new application or program is invented to “help make our lives easier.” With the technology of mobile devices getting better by the minute, it is important that landlords know how technology can assist with rental properties. Both owners and tenants have many new innovative options when it comes to apps for both Android and Apple devices.  We will provide our reviews of some of these programs periodically.  If you have a specific need you are welcome to contact me and I will  try to direct you to the most relevant technology solution.

The first App I will talk about is called DIY Landlord – Property Management by Nga Nguyen. This app is free in the Apple App Store and is compatible for iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. This is a secure program that allows landlords to create and track properties and tenants. With a fairly easy design and minimal set up time this app can help keep your rental on track. A landlord can keep track of their current cash flow, payments due, and past due rent. All reports including a tenant ledger can easily be emailed or printed if needed. Owners may also take photos of tenants and properties to keep it all straight. Another simple but tedious task this app offers is the ability to send payment receipts to the tenant via text messages or emails, hopefully saving time and possible miscommunications. On the App Store the app received a 4.5 out of 5 start rating, so if you are struggling to keep records straight, maybe give this one a try!

Another, similar program available to home owners and property managers is The Landlord App by The Milner Group L.L.C. The name quite obviously explains the purpose of this app. Although this app is a lot like its competition, it has a few key differences that jump out at me. First of all, The Landlord App costs $4.99 to download but is available on both Android and Apple devices. Do not let the price scare you away. This app can track rent payments, enter expenses and income for maintenance, track bills that have been paid associated to the property, mass or individually email tenants, help design Craigslist ads for vacancies, track miles and time spent at the property in case the tenant is to be billed, keep track of schedules and events on a calendar, and much more! The app the fairly easy to use and although it takes a little more time to setup, can help you keep track of all activity at your rental property.

Once the property is rented these applications are helpful and can assist a landlord in tracking the financial portion of the property.

The next app, however, can simply assist in remembering maintenance. HomeSavvy by HomeAdvisor.com is an app designed to give the homeowner a calendar for maintenance at the property and alerts them of upcoming maintenance to keep the property in working order. This app is free on both Android and Apple devices and takes minimal time to setup. With a few details of your investment home you can quickly set up recurring seasonal tasks, ways you can complete maintenance on your own, and ways you can prevent problems from happening in the future. With built in alerts this application can easily assist the homeowner in the simple maintenance that we sometimes forget, hopefully saving both time and money.

The last application I will talk about is a newer app which I discovered while trying to help a tenant decorate their new property. Have you ever tried to explain a floor plan of an occupied home? The tenant can only imagine what each room looks like but really has no idea of the layout and size until they get inside. A new innovative app called RoomScan by Locometric uses the camera on your mobile device to create a floor plan of each room in your house. A landlord can quickly trace each wall and each door in the home to create a full floor plan of the home, giving the tenant a better idea of how each room is laid out and actual dimensions of each room. No guess work is involved.  Simply turn on the app and follow the directions. The layout can then be emailed or added to your advertising. Although only available on the Apple App Store this is a free app and I have to admit it’s pretty cool.

So, go out and give these apps a try. Who knows maybe they will help you find a tenant faster, track mileage, keep better tax records, or simply your life.