What landlording tasks do you automate?

Question

I am curious to hear from my peer landlords. What landlording tasks do you do that can be automated instead of doing it manually every time?

Paying your insurance premiums automatically from your bank is one example.I am trying to identify areas that I can automate or streamline to make my landlording tasks more effective.

Your feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Luke M. · Answer

Eric Liu Thanks a ton for that article. I've been getting a little disorganized as I add more properties, and I want to shift into multi-family eventually.

Ryan Swan · Answer

@Mark M. Buildium has a built in service request system. It would ideally start with a tenant submitting a service request on your Buildium website (this requires them to have log-in access to your site and know how to use it). Then you would assign the work order to the appropriate handyman/contractor. The contractor would also need to have log-in access to your site, and be familiar with how to view the services requests, and subsequently update them as they have more information or the task is completed. I think it also complicates the situation for the tenant if you say "all service requests MUST be submitted online". So they come home and find a badly leaking hot water heater, they must get out their laptop, remember their credentials to your site, and then fill out a service request. I'd personally rather just get a quick call or text message, and I'm sure they would too. Unless you're managing a large apartment complex with 200+ units where you might expect 20 service requests a day, then I think trying to automate your requests system is a waste of time. I have 12 units of my own and maybe get 1 request a week, if that. The tenant usually sends me a text message describing the problem, I go check it out myself, and if I can fix it I will. Otherwise I call the appropriate contractor.

David Baskin · Answer

I would strongly recommend an app for your iPhone or iPad that is called IamLandlord. Check it out www.iamlandlord.com I started using this app 2 years ago and it has changed how I track and manage my rent collections and notes about each unit for various purposes like security deposit deductions and other information.

Account Closed · Answer

It's not quite automation, but I always recommend that landlords have a CRM software of some sort to manage all their tenants and properties. It helps big time when your operation starts getting bigger you have a lot of people you need to keep track of. Google "Learn how landlords leverage CRM technology"

Rhett Tullis · Answer

Deborah Burian right now I use the system through our buidlium service but looking at changing to dwolla. I think theirs is the best option for the price. We have almost 300 transactions a month so at $1 or more per transaction that would get very pricey for me.

David Baskin · Answer

Not android but changed how I track things on a month to month basis. Everything is at my fingertips now instead of spreadsheets and PC software that costs $100s.

Mark Whittlesey · Answer

Looks VERY cool!! But not Android version?? :((

Account Closed · Answer

Wow, thank you everyone for your terrific feedback. All of this information is AWESOME. Each of you have touched a few areas I have been identifying as something I can automate, External lights on a timer (great for security purposes) Online applications, fee collections Bill/credit payments And it certainly sounds like automating inquiries for rental properties using a call service will save a lot of time. I have been looking into this as we will be purchasing another property soon and it is something I am curious about because it would allow us to provide a "dedicated" service just for inquiries. Okay, Buildium and erentpayments are two of the CRM programs I have investigated as well as a few others. I am still up in the air on this, I know I would love automating the application process but the collections process. It sounds like there's two types of tenants, those with Internet access and those without. I will have to investigate this a little more. I am curious about automating service calls? I suppose maintenance requests are easily automated enough but how do you identify the process for automating service calls? Once again, thank you everyone for all your replies and to those who will add to this thread. It's terrific information here.

Jarrett Harris · Answer

Well I still collect rent manually. It could be cash, money order, or checks. Some of my tenants have internet access some do not. I am not sure if the guy that pays with money orders even has a checking account. The guy that moves my snow knows he is cleared to do it anytime it is over 2 inches. The lighting around the building that comes on at night are on a timer. I don't have much to automate at this point. Maybe collecting the rent in the future, but with just 4 tenants its not that big of a deal now. I also go get the quarters out of the washer and dryer every month. I coordinate that with picking up the rent.

Mark Forest · Answer

I am surprised by the amount of automation. I still just get checks in the mail. Do any of you find your tenants do not all have internet or bank access especially Section 8?