The property management industry is continuously changing and growing. For property management businesses to succeed, property managers need to stay updated with the latest trends to stay ahead. The property management industry in the US generates about $88.4 billion in revenue annually and is growing each year.
With that much growth from property management and rentals, many software companies have emerged to help landlords, and property managers stay ahead and get organized. Including automation for daily tenant communication and management to help save time.
Why Small PM Companies Need the Best Property Management Software?
The best rental property management software allows property mangers and owners to perform several essential daily tasks automatically. This includes responding to repetitive tenant inquiries, booking tours, posting vacancies online, accounting and billing and maintenance.
The best rental property management software should help all operations run smoothly for each rental property. The best rental property management software also generates reports like monthly rent payments, income, and expenses, to help you monitor the financial health of your property.
And even though a leasing team can perform all these tasks it is time consuming to perform everything manually. With all this extra time the team’s focus can be on company growth.
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Essential features of the best rental property management software
When deciding your best rental property management software, it is important to consider the type of property you manage. There are many factors that are the same for both residential and commercial properties, such as: Pre-screening renters, property maintenance requests, scheduling tours and collecting rent. However, there are always more specific concerns depending on what properties you manage and what exactly you need from a software.
Some essential features to look for in any rental property management software include:
- Tenant pre-screening
- Online rent collection
- Efficient communication with tenants
- Property reports
- Advertising your properties on listing sites
- Lead-to-lease automation
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How much does property management software cost?
Different rental property management software have different prices and the most popular pricing models are pay-per-unit, a tiered model, pay per transaction or paying per feature you use.
Monthly prices for rental property management softwares can range from about $15 to upwards of $300, depending on the number of units you manage. Many advanced features like online bill payment and additional listing tools can usually cost a little extra. You often will also have to pay a one-time setup fee of up to $500.
Sometimes there are discounts available if you are a new user or sign a multi-year agreement. Monthly payments for a one-year agreement can go up to $200. However, each software will have a different price and to help you figure out what is the best fit for you we have listed the price of each rental property management software in this review!
Top 6 Best Rental Property Management Software Providers for Small PM Shops
MRI
MRI rental property management software is a comprehensive solution for property managers with commercial properties. The platform encompasses both front and back-end functions, integrating accounting and analytics with end-to-end tenant management.
Features
- Investment management
- Online rent collection
- Integrated accounting
- Maintenance requests
- Tenant screening insurances
- Resident communication
Price
- This rental property management does not provide its pricing online. To get a quote you have to call them and you get a price based on your specific usage.
Rent Manager
Rent Manager is a rental property management software for both residential and commercial real estate businesses with portfolios of more than 100 units. Rent Manager is an all-in-one rental management software for busy property managers. With the software’s tools, daily tasks can be simplified while focusing on growing your business. This rental property management software prioritizes integrations more than anyone else.
Features
- Vendor payments
- QuickBooks integration
- Accounting features such as online rent payments and reporting
- Owner portal
Price
- Rent Manager uses two pricing models: per unit, per month, as well as pricing tiers for each of its multiple software versions. The cost of this rental property management software is not available online. The company offers a free demo but doesn’t offer free trials.
Landlord Studio
Landlord Studio is a rental property management software that provides all the accounting and property management tools needed in one place. Providing the perfect solution for landlords who are self-managing their rental properties
Features
- Tenant screening
- Accounting features such as rent and expense tracking and reporting
- Commercial Property Management
- Contact Management
- Credit Check
- Maintenance Management
- Owner Portal
Pricing
- The rental property management software implements a monthly pricing model and an additional cost per unit. Their basic plan is $5.99 per month for 1 unit and each unit after the first being $1 per unit per month.
- The premium Scale plan starts at $19.99/month when paid annually for 1 unit, as well as the additional $1/unit/month.
DoorLoop
This is an all-in-one rental property management software designed by property managers, for property managers. Doorloop’s rental property management software deals with all types of properties no matter if you deal in rental properties or have a mixed portfolio.
Features
- Custom reports
- Document storage
- Online advertising
- Access financial statements and collect rent via credit cards
- Receive maintenance requests
- Track progress across work orders
Pricing
- You can use this rental property management software for 50% off the first two months. After that pricing starts at just $49 per month and is billed annually for up to 20 properties.
Rentroom
Rentroom is a complete rental property management software with good accounting features and an intuitive interface.
The rental property management software also has unique community features and is a decent software for condos, multi-family, and HOA properties.
Features
- Tenant portal
- Maintenance management
- Online rent collection
- payment reminders
- Cash reconciliation
Pricing
- Free trial available
- Rentroom does not list their pricing publicly, and need to be contacted directly to find it out.
Hemlane
This rental property management software has a all-in-one rental management platform specifically built for landlords with 1 to 100 units. Hemlane has several unique features that make it different from many other rental property management softwares. Such as the agent match feature which matches you with local agents for showings and other leasing tools.
Features
- Maintenance management
- Online rent payments
- Leasing tools such as tenant screening
- Unique local support features such as agent match
- Advertising vacancies
- Track applicants
- Screen tenants
- Manage leases
- Maintenance and accounting
Pricing
- This rental property management software has a 30-day free trial.
- Basic plan starts at $30 per month with $2 per unit per month after the first unit.
- Premium-level Complete plan starts at $60 per month and a whopping $32 per property per month for every property after the first.
Common FAQs regarding the best rental property management software
1. What features should I look for in the best rental property management software?
When looking for the best rental property management software, key features to consider include:
- Tenant pre-screening
- Online rent collection
- Efficient tenant communication tools
- Comprehensive property and financial reports
- Advertising on property listing sites
- Lead-to-lease automation
3. Which are the top rental property management software providers for small property management companies?
Some of the best rental property management software providers for small property management companies include:
- LetHub: AI-powered leasing automation solution for property management
- MRI: Comprehensive solution for commercial properties.
- Rent Manager: Suitable for portfolios with over 100 units.
- Landlord Studio: Perfect for self-managing landlords.
- DoorLoop: An all-in-one solution for various property types.
- Rentroom: Ideal for condos, multi-family, and HOA properties.
- Hemlane: Great for landlords with 1 to 100 units, with unique local support features.
4. Are free trials available for rental property management software?
Yes, many of the best rental property management software providers offer free trials.
5. What advanced features are offered by the best rental property management software?
Advanced features of the best rental property management software may include:
- Online bill payment
- Vendor payments
- QuickBooks integration
- Custom reporting
- Document storage
- Maintenance tracking
6. How can I determine the best rental property management software for my needs?
To determine the best rental property management software for your needs, consider factors like the type and number of properties you manage, your budget, and the essential features you require. Many software providers offer demos or free trials, which can help you make an informed decision.