The words “selecting software” may be enough to send less tech-friendly landlords running. However, our easy software is far from scary. Over the next few hundred words we’re going to look at how tech can benefit your business, you could be saving time, money and saving headaches.
When selecting the best property management software, it’s important to not lose track of your objective. Whether you’re new to renting out a property or have been nurturing your portfolio for years, the role of the landlord is fairly standard. Opting for property management software becomes important as your portfolio starts to grow.
Breaking down a landlord’s responsibilities can help us highlight areas ripe for automation. Below are the general landlord responsibilities:
- Provide accommodation
- Ensure the accommodation is in a habitable condition
- Get your contracts together
- Collect & register deposit
- Conduct inventory
- Collect rent
- Respond to maintenance requests
- Inspect
- Check out
- Return deposit
At Bunk, we can help with every step of the landlord’s journey.
Provide Accommodation.
Firstly, you’ll need to ensure you own the property you’re letting. At Bunk, we will move you and your properties on our platform, setting you up with your own profile that tenants can interact with. Your properties will be listed on our website and other third party sites, for maximum marketing potential. Spending time collating images, matching up with detailed descriptions and uploading to each portal is nothing short of tedious. Bunk’s easy-to-use interface will direct you through every stage of uploading the details for your listing. Once this is done, Bunk takes over. We’ll get these listed on RightMove, Zoopla, and others.
Ensure the accommodation is in decent condition.
In a recent report from Shelter, one in four properties were deemed “below decent”. With the landlord limelight growing brighter, it’s time maintenance was given the love and attention it deserves. When choosing the right software to handle your maintenance you should consider accessibility. Bunk’s property management software allows your tenants to log maintenance requests, add images and track progress in one accessible feature. With our handy notification system it’s less likely you’ll leave your tenant without heating, and more likely to get a renewal at the end of the agreement.
Getting your contracts together
Tenancy contacts, guarantor agreements and landlord references all need signing. Moving these online and using our handy e-signature service keeps all these documents in one place. When selecting the best software for property management you should consider their pricing structure. We don’t charge per signature, or document, our e-signature service is available to you throughout the tenancy. You might be considering how much paperwork your property management service is consuming. At Bunk we are paperless, managing your properties with our software in a planet-friendly way.
How is this secure? Firstly, e-signature technology is widely understood and used internationally. Its systems help prevent fraudulent signatures and illegitimate addenda and amendments.
Collecting/registering deposits
Fourthly, when you are deciding on the best property management software you should consider deposits. Due to important regulations surrounding deposits, you want to stay compliant. In order to choose the best software, you want to research how they handle deposits. At Bunk, you have the option to register the deposit yourself or have us do it for you. Deposit registration is strict and the implication of this slipping your mind can be significant; registered the deposit late or not at all? The tenant can claim the return of the deposit and a penalty of up to three times the value of the deposit.
Conduct Inventory
Boring, tedious and very important, not a winning combination. Unfortunately inventories are essential for protecting your property. Both you and your tenant agree on the condition of the property on moving day meaning you can’t hide from damages caused during their tenancy. Shelter says it’s the landlord’s responsibility to conduct an inventory but it’s not a legal requirement, if you do end up in a dispute, you want as many strings on that bow as possible.
Inspect & check out
Inspections and check outs are a necessary evil. If you’re away on an extended holiday or you’re living abroad you need to pick a software able to perform remotely. Traditional lettings agents tend to operate within a one area. Bunk users Viewber to conduct your inspections and check-ins. You needn’t let your location get in the way of your commitments. You can keep up the good work anywhere and everywhere.
Collecting Rent
Collecting rent is an important duty of a landlord. Subsequently when picking the best property software, consider the transparency of rent collection. As a landlord you want freedom to view the incoming payments. Bunk is excited to integrate Open Banking to revolutionise rent collection. Never again will you loose visibility over rental payments.
Find great tenants and prepare your rental property for viewings with help from Bunk, the digital lettings platform with a difference. With dedicated account managers, we help you stay compliant during this uncertain time. For more information about how we could help you, get in touch with one of our lettings experts today.
