Automating Property Management Procedures: What to Know

Automation is one of the hottest topics for business owners. It seems like every industry is using automation to improve their work and satisfy their customers.

You don’t need to work in the tech industry to be able to benefit from automation. Did you know that automation can help people in the property management space as well?

Many tasks property managers have to handle can easily be automated. When you take the time to automate simple tasks, you’ll have more time to devote to other issues, and renters can get important problems handled in a timely manner.

Are you curious about how automation can help make your property management tasks easier? After you learn about all of the ways you can utilize automation, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t automated things sooner.

Rent Collection

Collecting rent is one of the most important tasks property managers can do. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the more time consuming and tricky tasks to handle.

Cashing checks and keeping up with late renters can take up a lot of your time. That’s why some tech-savvy property managers have switched to automated rent payments.

Rent automation systems can make it easy for renters to submit payments. Instead of having to rely on checks or money orders, they can easily send their rent payments through the system. Many systems also sync up with popular payment platforms like Venmo and PayPal.

You can use automation software to send payment reminders to tenants that are behind on rent. Some programs may even be able to set up reminders just before rent is due to ensure that people don’t forget.

Tenant Notifications

Do you need everyone to move their car so you can repave the parking lot? Is there a big snowstorm or hurricane headed your way? Are there new units available to rent and you want to spread the work that you’re looking for new tenants?

Instead of having to write individual emails, consider automating all of your tenant notifications and communication needs.

Sync your automation system with your tenant contact information list so you’ll have a way to quickly contact residents. You’ll have the added benefit of having one place where you can store all of your important contact information.

Maintenance Requests

When you manage several properties, staying on top of maintenance requests can be difficult. Aside from having to handle routine maintenance, you also have to manage emergency repairs, renter requests, and specialty cleaning for when renters move out.

Maintenance is an area where automation can be particularly helpful. Having all of your maintenance requests filtered through one program can make it easier to keep track of everything. You can also use automation to help your maintenance team stay more organized and manage requests in a timelier manner.

You can use your automation system to automatically alert your maintenance crew that a unit is ready for cleaning. Instead of having tenants reach out directly to you for help, you can create a simple to use the form they can fill out that can give your crew all of the information they’ll need.

If you set up your system correctly, you can even help it sort through tasks and assign them as low priority or high priority. The system could even help send maintenance requests directly to certain crews, so you don’t have to get involved in the process.

The right automation system can also help your maintenance crew stay on top of safety checks. You can set alerts to remind your maintenance crew of important work like checking smoke detectors, gas line inspections, and annual property checks.

Renewals

There might be some residents that’ll only stay renters for a year or two, but there are others that may spend several years at one location. Regardless of your renter’s needs, automation can help make the lease renewal process simple.

Instead of trying to remember when leases are up, the system will be able to handle everything for you. The right automation system can send emails to let people know that their lease is up and that they have the option to renew. From there they can fill out paperwork to either break their lease or to keep it going.

The same system can let people know of any changes in their lease agreements and can alert you if people need further information. You’ll be able to check in on the renewal process at any time, and you’ll only have to step in during special cases.

Evictions

Dealing with an eviction can be a difficult and lengthy process. Aside from having to make a legal case for the eviction, you’ll have to create a long paper trail that you can use in court.

Keeping track of everything you need to legally evict a tenant can be hard. Automating the process can make things much easier for you.

Your system can give tenants warnings around late payments or other offenses that could cause an eviction. Having records that you’ve informed the tenant that they’re in violation of important policies can come in handy when you go to court.

An automated response to evictions also makes it easy to store important documents in one place. That way when it’s time to go to court, you’ll have everything you need to hand over to your lawyer.

Start Handling Property Management the Right Way

Everything suddenly becomes simpler when you add automation into your property management routine. Mundane but important tasks like collecting rent, routine maintenance, and tenant communication can make things easier for you and your entire management crew.

Now that you know how to improve your property management work, it’s time to get the help you need to truly make meaningful changes.

Whether you want a better way to manage tenants or you’re looking for technology solutions to make work easier we’re here to help. Be sure to contact us today so we can start making your property management work easier and more efficient.