Managing rental properties is more demanding than ever before, even for landlords with smaller portfolios. But, that doesn’t need to mean it has to be overwhelming. By using the best property management platforms you can find, it can be even easier.

These make looking after all parts of your property management less stressful and more straightforward, having more of an impact than you would’ve thought. Some of these can stand out noticeably more than others.

Why Landlords Need Property Management Platform

But first, it’s worth going through why you could need a property management platform as a landlord. Rental management often involves a lot more than you’d expect. As a smaller landlord, you mightn’t see a lot of this straight away, but everything that needs to be done could get the best of you.

You’ll need to handle tenant communication, maintenance coordination, accounting, marketing, legal documentation, and compliance effectively. Without the right systems in place, this can feel overwhelming.

Property management platforms can help landlords:

1. Automate rent collection and payment reminders.
2. Screen tenants more effectively.
3. Market listings across multiple rental websites.
4. Store lease agreements and important documents digitally.
5. Coordinate maintenance requests in one place.
6. Improve communication with tenants.
7. Track income and expenses for tax reasons.
8. Reduce administration workload and human error.

Many platforms also offer mobile apps and cloud-based accounting, letting landlords manage their properties from anywhere.

But, this still begs the question as to what the best property management platforms out there actually are. There’ll be plenty of options, but narrowing them down can be somewhat complicated.

Five specific options could stand out for more than a few reasons, though.

Property Management Platforms: 5 Top Picks for Landlords

1. TurboTenant

TurboTenant stands out as one of the more landlord-friendly property management platforms you can go for. Designed for independent landlords and small-to-medium-sized property managers, the platform has powerful automation tools and a lot of support.

Unlike many competitors, it focuses on usability, affordability, and flexibility for DIY landlords. The platform features everything a landlord would need, making managing a property and tenants more straightforward.

Pros:

• Comprehensive all-in-one platform.
• Offers local property services on top of DIY management tools.
• More affordable alternative to more traditional platforms.

Cons:

• Enterprise-level features may be restricted for larger property managers.

2. Appfolio

Appfolio is one of the more well-known options here, particularly among professional property managers and larger real estate businesses. The platform offers an extensive suite of tools covering accounting, maintenance management, and online payments.

The automation features here are definitely useful, especially for landlords with large portfolios who want to streamline repetitive tasks. Its user-interface is modern and mobile-friendly, making it easy to stay connected on the go.

Pros:

• Strong automation and workflow tools.
• Excellent accounting and reporting capabilities.
• Easily scalable for large property portfolios.

Cons:

• Higher pricing mightn’t suit smaller landlords.

3. Buildium

Buildium has a strong reputation as a versatile property management platform for landlords and property managers of various sizes. The software includes tenant screening, online rent collection, lease tracking, and accounting, among other features.

This is a particular popular option among growing property management businesses because of its scalability and financial management tools. A standout feature is also its community association management feature, which is a nice touch.

Pros:

• Strong accounting and financial reporting tools.
• Suitable for scaling portfolios.
• Good maintenance management system.

Cons:

• User interface can feel less intuitive than competitors.

4. Avail

Avail is primarily designed for DIY landlords managing smaller rental portfolios. It focuses on scalability and accessibility, offering tools for online rent collection, tenant screening, lease creation, and maintenance tracking.

This is especially attractive to first-time landlords because of its educational resources and straightforward onboarding process. The platform also offers state-specific lease agreements and landlord guidance materials.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface for beginners.
• Helpful educational resources for landlords.
• Solid tenant screening and rent collection tools.

Cons:

• Limited advance functionality for larger operations.

5. Doorloop

Doorloop has emerged as a fast-growing property management platform known for its modern design and user-friendly experience. On top of the features many potential users would expect, it also has an easy QuickBook integration, making it even more appealing.

Some of the main strengths here are its responsive customer service and clean interface, which makes navigation relatively simple, even for new users. But, some of the advanced features could be relatively limited compared to larger options.

Pros:

• Modern and intuitive user interface.
• Quick and responsive customer service.
• Great accounting integrations.

Cons:

• Some advanced features are still being developed.

How to Pick the Top Property Management Platform for Landlords

Each of these can stand out for more than a few reasons. Even knowing what the best property management platforms for landlords are, you’ll need to narrow them down somewhat. This doesn’t have to be as hard as you’d think.

Focusing on the right factors and areas could be more than enough to help with this. Some of the more notable of these are:

• Portfolio Size – Some platforms are better suited for landlords with large portfolios, while others focus on smaller portfolios. Go with the right one for you.
• Features – Platforms will offer some common features, but also some extras. Pick a platform that has the features you need.
• Support – There’ll be times when you need a bit of help, so it’s always worth looking into the customer support on offer.
• Budget – Cost is a major decision for everyone. While you shouldn’t focus on the lowest-cost pick, you should keep the ongoing price in mind.

These should help you narrow down your options quite a bit. Personal preferences will play a significant role in this, but there’s no reason why the decision should have to be hard.

Final Thoughts

The best property management platforms take a lot of time, effort, stress, and hassle out of looking after your portfolio. With the features they offer, there’s no reason not to invest in one going forward. And, finding the right one doesn’t need to be as complicated as you’d think. You’ll be seeing the benefits before you know it.