The Best CRM for Landlords in 2021

Table Contents: show

Introduction

As a landlord, managing multiple properties can be overwhelming. Keeping track of rental payments, maintenance requests, and tenant information can be time-consuming and prone to errors without the right tools. That’s where Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software comes in. A good CRM can streamline your business processes and help you provide excellent service to your tenants. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best CRM for landlords? In this article, we’ll explore seven of the best CRMs for landlords in 2021, their features, and their pros and cons.

Who is this article for?

This article is for landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals who want to learn more about CRM software and how it can benefit their business. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced landlord, this article will help you find the best CRM for your needs.

What is a CRM?

A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management software, is a tool that helps businesses manage their interactions with customers or clients. In the context of landlords, a CRM can help manage tenants, rental properties, and financial transactions. Some of the features of a CRM include:

Database of tenant information
Rental payment tracking
Maintenance request tracking
Automated communications
Financial reporting

Why should landlords use a CRM?

The use of a CRM can bring numerous benefits to landlords, including:

Improved organization
Streamlined business processes
Increased efficiency
Better tenant communications
Financial transparency

How to choose the best CRM for landlords

When selecting the best CRM for landlords, there are a few factors to consider. These include:

Price
Feature set
User-friendliness
Integration with other software
Customer support

Best CRM for landlords: Overview of options

CRM	Price	Key Features	Pros	Cons
Buildium	Starting at $50/month	Tenant management, online payments, maintenance tracking, accounting	Comprehensive feature set, user-friendly interface	Expensive for small landlords, limited customization
Cozy	Free for landlords, $2.99/month for advanced features	Rental applications, online rent payment, tenant screening	Easy to use, free version available	Limited features, lacks customer support
AppFolio Property Manager	Starting at $1.25/unit/month	Tenant screening, online rent payment, maintenance tracking, accounting	Comprehensive feature set, user-friendly interface	Expensive for small landlords, limited customization
Rentec Direct	Starting at $35/month	Tenant management, online rent payment, maintenance requests, accounting	Affordable, customizable reports	Steep learning curve, customer support can be slow
Propertyware	Starting at $250/month	Automated marketing, tenant screening, online rent payment, accounting	Comprehensive feature set, integration with other software	Expensive, not user-friendly
TenantCloud	Starting at $9/month for landlords	Tenant management, online rent payment, maintenance requests, accounting	Affordable, user-friendly interface	Limited customization, lacks some advanced features
Yardi Breeze	Starting at $1/unit/month	Tenant management, online rent payment, maintenance requests, accounting	Affordable, user-friendly interface	Limited customization, lacks some advanced features

Best CRM for landlords: Detailed Explanation

1. Buildium

Buildium is a popular CRM for landlords and property managers with over 17,000 customers worldwide. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including tenant management, online rent payment, maintenance tracking, and accounting. Buildium has a user-friendly interface and can be customized to fit the needs of a variety of users.

Some pros of using Buildium include:

Comprehensive feature set
User-friendly interface
Customizable

Some cons of using Buildium include:

Expensive for small landlords
Limited customization

2. Cozy

Cozy is a free CRM for landlords that offers rental applications, online rent payment, and tenant screening. It also has a paid version that offers more advanced features. Cozy is easy to use and can be set up quickly.

Some pros of using Cozy include:

Free version available
Easy to use

Some cons of using Cozy include:

Limited features
Lacks customer support

3. AppFolio Property Manager

AppFolio Property Manager is a cloud-based CRM software that offers tenant screening, online rent payment, maintenance tracking, and accounting. It is used by over 14,000 property management companies worldwide. AppFolio has a user-friendly interface and offers a comprehensive set of features.

Some pros of using AppFolio Property Manager include:

Comprehensive feature set
User-friendly interface

Some cons of using AppFolio Property Manager include:

Expensive for small landlords
Limited customization

4. Rentec Direct

Rentec Direct is a software that offers tenant management, online rent payment, maintenance requests, and accounting. It is affordable and offers customizable reports. Rentec Direct can be used by landlords, property managers, and real estate investors.

Some pros of using Rentec Direct include:

Affordable
Customizable reports

Some cons of using Rentec Direct include:

Steep learning curve
Customer support can be slow

5. Propertyware

Propertyware is a CRM software that offers automated marketing, tenant screening, online rent payment, and accounting. It is used by over 2,000 property management companies worldwide. Propertyware has a comprehensive set of features but can be expensive for small landlords.

Some pros of using Propertyware include:

Comprehensive feature set
Integration with other software

Some cons of using Propertyware include:

Expensive
Not user-friendly

6. TenantCloud

TenantCloud is a CRM software that offers tenant management, online rent payment, maintenance requests, and accounting. It is affordable and has a user-friendly interface. TenantCloud can be used by landlords, property managers, and real estate investors.

Some pros of using TenantCloud include:

Affordable
User-friendly interface

Some cons of using TenantCloud include:

Limited customization
Lacks some advanced features

7. Yardi Breeze

Yardi Breeze is a CRM software that offers tenant management, online rent payment, maintenance requests, and accounting. It is affordable and has a user-friendly interface. Yardi Breeze can be used by landlords, property managers, and real estate investors.

Some pros of using Yardi Breeze include:

Affordable
User-friendly interface

Some cons of using Yardi Breeze include:

Limited customization
Lacks some advanced features

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best CRM for small landlords?

The best CRM for small landlords depends on their individual needs and budget. Cozy and TenantCloud offer affordable options with basic features, while Rentec Direct offers more advanced features at a reasonable price.

2. Is there a free CRM for landlords?

Yes, Cozy offers a free version that includes rental applications, online rent payments, and tenant screening.

3. Can CRM software help me manage multiple properties?

Yes, CRM software can help landlords manage multiple properties by providing a centralized database of tenant information and financial transactions. It can also automate communications and provide financial reporting.

4. Can I customize a CRM to fit my business needs?

Yes, most CRMs offer some level of customization, such as adding fields or creating custom reports. However, some CRMs may be more customizable than others.

5. Can I use a CRM for tenant screening?

Yes, many CRMs offer tenant screening as one of their features. This can include credit checks, background checks, and eviction history.

6. Is it necessary to use a CRM as a landlord?

While it’s not necessary to use a CRM as a landlord, it can bring numerous benefits, including improved organization, streamlined business processes, increased efficiency, better tenant communications, and financial transparency.

7. Do I need to be tech-savvy to use a CRM?

No, most CRMs are designed to be user-friendly and require little to no technical knowledge. However, some CRMs may have a steeper learning curve than others, so it’s important to choose a CRM that fits your skill level.

8. Can I use a CRM to automate rent payments?

Yes, most CRMs offer online rent payment as one of their features. This can streamline the rental payment process and improve financial transparency.

9. Can I use a CRM for document storage?

Yes, many CRMs offer document storage as one of their features. This can include lease agreements, maintenance requests, and financial documents.

10. Can I integrate a CRM with other software?

Yes, many CRMs offer integrations with other software, such as accounting software, email marketing software, and property management software. This can improve efficiency and streamline business processes.

11. Can I use a CRM to manage maintenance requests?

Yes, most CRMs offer maintenance request tracking as one of their features. This can help landlords stay on top of maintenance requests and ensure that repairs are completed in a timely manner.

12. Can I use a CRM to automate tenant communications?

Yes, many CRMs offer automated communications as one of their features. This can include email reminders for rent payments, lease renewals, and maintenance requests.

13. Can I use a CRM for financial reporting?

Yes, most CRMs offer financial reporting as one of their features. This can include profit and loss statements, rent rolls, and balance sheets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a CRM can bring numerous benefits to landlords, including improved organization, streamlined business processes, increased efficiency, better tenant communications, and financial transparency. When selecting the best CRM for your needs, it’s important to consider factors such as price, feature set, user-friendliness, integration with other software, and customer support. The seven CRMs we’ve discussed in this article are all excellent options for landlords, depending on their individual needs and budget.

We hope this article has helped you choose the best CRM for your business. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know in the comments section below.

Closing

The information presented in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. We encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney or accountant regarding your specific needs.