The primary features of property management software are always the priority. When shopping for software, the first features you’ll look for include online rent collection, tenant screening, lease signing, and maintenance management.
However, once you have the basic functionality, you might be surprised to learn that many software companies offer additional features. These additional features may increase accessibility, add efficiency, help you grow your business, or assist you with other tasks.
Secondary features are nonessential, but they can certainly make the difference between good and great software. Here are five nice-to-have features in property management software to watch out for.
Mobile App
Today, almost everyone owns a smartphone. Property management software companies have noticed this trend and adopted a feature to take advantage of it: mobile apps.
A mobile app offers landlords increased flexibility and accessibility. You no longer need to drag your laptop around if you’re out and about during the day but still want access to your software. Instead, you can use your smartphone or tablet to pull up rent collection, send reminders or messages, screen tenants, and share leases.
Tenants also benefit from access to a mobile app. They can pay rent, request maintenance, and communicate with you via their smartphone from anywhere they happen to be.
Multi-User Management
Multi-user management is a great secondary feature for landlords with a large number of units or multiple team members. If you have an accountant or maintenance staff, you might want them to be able to access your software as well.
With multi-user management, they can. This feature allows you to designate additional users and give them access to the features that pertain to their jobs.
For instance, let’s say you have an electrician and a plumber. You want them to be able to see and respond to maintenance tickets without going through you first. Many property management software platforms allow you to add those workers as additional users of the software. They’ll be able to respond to tickets, communicate with tenants about progress, and notify you when each issue has been resolved.
Renter’s Insurance
Renter’s insurance provides protection against the expenses of property damage. Many property management software companies have a built-in renter’s insurance feature so that tenants who don’t already have insurance can purchase it directly on the platform.
There are several benefits to this feature. For one, your tenants will be protected against everyday accidents and damage. You also benefit by knowing that potential damage is covered. Most landlords require renter’s insurance, so it just makes sense to give tenants who don’t already have it an easy way to fulfill that requirement.
If tenants purchase renter’s insurance on the platform, landlords can also see details about when the insurance coverage began and when it expires. This is useful for landlords to monitor whose coverage is about to expire.
Rental Advertising
For landlords, managing tenants is only half the job. You also need to advertise your units to fill vacancies and limit the impact of tenant turnover.
Property management software can help speed up the rental advertising process. For instance, many platforms offer listing syndication, which allows landlords to upload one listing and export it to multiple listing sites at once. It’s important to advertise your properties on as many major sites as possible, including Apartments.com and Zillow. Property management software can help you achieve this goal as efficiently as possible.
Responsive Support
Finally, an essential secondary feature of property management software is responsive customer support. You’re bound to have a question about your software at some point, especially if you’re not as savvy with technology. Responsive support is an invaluable resource for landlords. Even if you’re comfortable with the software, your tenants may ask you questions that you can’t answer. It’s good to have a name and number on hand for someone who can answer them.
Utilize Secondary Features of Property Management Software
Primary features are always the priority, but if your software offers secondary features, there’s no reason not to use them. Make the most of your property management software and try exploring them. You might find that they upgrade your software experience (and your rental business) more than you thought.
