Which Landlord Management Software Do You Use And/Or Recommend?
This article was written on 22 Apr 2009
I’ve been looking around for the past few hours at landlord management systems, to handle small to medium property portfolios for private landlords. There are loads out there, so naturally there’s a small issue of cutting through the shit in order to find anything useful.
I haven’t had extensive experience with any landlord managements systems, but I’ve tried a few out. I personally use a regular, custom Landlord Management Excel Spreadsheet. The features are basic; it only calculates my income and expenditures. It’s fine for someone with a small portfolio. But there are piles of more advanced packages out there that calculate all kinds of cool shit, like annual rental income tax liabilities using HMRC guidelines, which is rather handy.
There’s also a case of whether you want a free or paid service. I tried a few free packages out, and they weren’t all that impressive, even for a free service. The paid products can be pretty expensive, but can be worth the investment if you want to run a tight ship.
Free landlord Management Software
Property Hawk Landlord Software
I’ve actually tried this software. It was ok, but a little too old school for my likings. There were a lot of forms on different pages, so it made simple things like adding a new property/tenant long winded. Most of the forms could have been combined onto one page, saving a lot of user time. But it’s free, and it works, it also generates a lot of useful landlord forms E.g Tenany Agreements.
According to the owners, it’s the best landword software in the world…probably. Yeah, no offense, but… you guys must be on crack.
I must clarify, this is a web based package, and not downloadable software, like many of the others.
Property Book Work
This web-based application was developed by actual Landlords. It was developed to solve a simple problem- to provide landlords with an easy-to-use double-entry system (something which is a rear commodity).
I’ve not tested it out yet, but the tutorial looks quite good, especially the report generator. But it maybe somewhat a bit too comprehensive for the average landlord, because there are A LOT of features, from what I can tell.
The package comes at a cost if you want to manage more than one property, which ranges from £20-£200. Check out the price list. But if you want to manage one property, it’s FREE.
I-Portfolio Tracker
Another free, web-based service, similar to Property Hawks product. This was recommended by the folks over at Property Secrets. Of course, I’m not surprised by the recommendation, they’re part of the same company =/
It’s free, it’s free, and it’s free. I haven’t tried it yet, but I may give it a whirl later and write down my thoughts. I’d be interested to find out which offers the better free product.
Simplify’em
Another free, web-based service. I only found about this one recently. I had a flick through the demo- I must admit, it looks pretty good. It was another recommendation from a faithful twit:
In my opinion, it’s actually the most visually appealling out of the free web-based pack. I’ve Yet to try it, though…
Paid Landlord Management Software
Property Portfolio Services
I had a play around with the demo- it actually looks quite good. You can see how it works by clicking on the “demo” button, next to the “Property Management” heading. It’s probably the best one I’ve seen so far, based purely on my experience with the demo video.
The professional version has the feature which I mentioned, the ability to calculate annual rental income tax liabilities using HMRC guidelines.
Starts from £227.00 + VAT, with 30 day money back guarantee.
Property Manager Online
Someone recommended this one to me. But I wasn’t impressed by it. Why? The online demo page is broken. That’s not a great starting point. If they can’t get the demo working, I’m just going to assume their platform is also buggy. Of course, I could be wrong- It could be awesome. It comes with a price tag of £159.99, and a weak 1980’s looking website as their shop front.
Landlord Manager
One of my readers’ actually uses one, but unfortunately she’s been having a few technical issues with it. However, I thought i’d throw it into the list in case anyone else has anything to say about the product.
Let MC
Another recommendation from the world of Twitter:
I have no idea about this product, but it’s a web-based product, like the Property Hawk system (but way more powerful). I don’t know if I’m being a shit-for-brains or what, but I can’t find the price for this product on the website. However, there is a 14 day free trial (which I didn’t bother to take advantage of).
Any other recommendations?
If anyone is aware of any other product, please let me know, and I’ll add it to the list. Also, if anyone has had any experience with any of the above, or similar products, please let me know! I’d love to hear your recommendations.
Anyone out there use any landlord software management system? If so, which one?
I’ve actually been tempted to develop my own free, web-based software for Landlords. Hmmm. It’s certainly something to think about. The other providers should be a little scared =]
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Talk / 28 Comments
Have to be careful about what I say about LL as the tosser is liable to try to sue me! Great customer service skills from the Bill Gates wannabe.
Jools
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Apologies to The Landlord for blatant promoting on his blog!
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No problem at all :)
@Jas
I-portfolio, Property Hawk Landlord Software and Let MC are all web-based. However, Let MC is a paid service.
Cheers
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Never heard of the other free one though. Have you had a chance to try i-PortfolioTracker yet landlord?
Thanks,
Paul
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My concern would be having my data off site and not necessarily under my control.
Jools
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So it seems the list compiled so far for free software is only web-based.
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i-PortfolioTracker (i-PT) has a secure log in and security certificate, and the Property Secrets website itself, which is a membership site and so stores personal details, has a perfect record when it comes to security - 5 years online and no breaches.
If anyone is interested in using i-PT and would like assistance / more information, let me know (with email address) and I'll pass your details on to the relevant person.
And just so you know, Property Secrets NEVER passes your contact details to any third party without your written consent - so you don't have to worry that you'll end up spammed to death!
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Web-based applications are a lot easier and cheaper to maintain, hence why it makes sense that they're free, compared to actual downloadable software.
I also agree with Jools- security is a big issue.
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If you have your property portfolio/financial details stored on a web based system - If SOCA (The serious organised crime agency) or one of the other 'services' or HMRC wanted to - could they sieze your imformation directly from the site holding the information easier than they could by trying to get the information from say a home based laptop?
This would probably only apply if you were under scrutiny but since ALL email/telephone/data goes through the GCHQ/NSA computers at Menwith Hill in Yorkshire technically under the anti terrorism legislation, could other agencies obtain your data either with or without your knowledge?
I know banks operate online but surely they work under different arrangements to, no offence intended, normal private companies when it comes to data release (apart from normal data protection measures).
Jools
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Only a problem if you have something to hide, as the argument goes...
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To be fair i'll take the pros and cons from any unbiased user. Sorry Property Secrets but it's the only fair way to make any kind of judgement.
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I'm very interested in The Landlord's opinion myself!
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Just to let you know we have made entering tenancy details much easier. It can now all be done on one form - check it out see what you think.
We are always looking for suggestions on how the software can be improved so if your readers have any ideas, please let us know.
Chris
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Firstly, if you buy it, when they issue an update you have to buy the update. The update costs twice as much as the original programme. Nice work if you can get it !.
Secondly, I borked my computer and had to re-install the programme (I had backed up the data files elsewhere fortunately). I thought I had also lost the serial no. which was on an email from them originally.
When I wrote to them to ask them to furnish me with it again, they refused and said I would have to buy the newest version. They obviously had the serial no. but just wanted to screw me for more money. It turned out that I had sent a copy of the email to my other computer and I found it there eventually.
I've decided to move everything into MSExcel this year and stop using it.
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If you don't like our Property Manager 2.0 you can always then use MSExcel and you have lost nothing!
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Now using EZPZ. Once you get your head around it its very good - probably relates for multiple properties/advanced users as it is SAGE based and is more of a financial programme as opposed to management programme.
Jools
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It's free for those of you with small/medium portfolios and is web-based so has all the pros and cons already mentioned above.
It doesn't (yet) have all the functions of some of our competitors, but what we do, we do well.
Of course, I work for them so I'm completely biased, so you'll need to check it out for yourself.
Mike.
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I have used and tested most programmes on the market and found EZPZ to be the only double entry one. Using it was so difficult and the report section was a real hassle. The continual upgrades and bug fixes were too many for my liking hence my preference for online.
Gail
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http://www.property-management-software.co.uk/
there's a version available for Windows Mobile as well as PC.
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We have completed a good framework that includes basic accounting features, simple support ticketing options, noise complaint mechanisms and online rent payment systems (designed to easily accept online payments [useful for room-mates etc.]). We would gladly give a lifetime subscription to this for anyone who can advise us.
Please let me know.
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I would be happy to give you advice where I am able. I am a retired Chartered Engineer(early !) so I have the time, own two properties currently rented and at one time was involved in developing and implementing a wan computer application (database) with my previous Company. I am also a bit of a geek, repair computer software/hardware in my spare time and am familiar with both MSWindows and Linux operating systems.
Drop me an email to let me know what you're looking for if you wish at:
caerhaysattalktalkdotnet. (sorry, but I try to avoid spam when possible !)
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The real benefit of it is, we think, unique - the ability to link your properties to your agents and have THEM update your incoming rents and outgoing costs.
Though it can be difficult to convince your agent to do that.
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