There are several different types of landlord software, including comprehensive property management software, financial analysis software, and legal form software. Each type of landlord software addresses different aspects of the landlord business, including managing finances, record keeping, as well as producing standard landlord forms and letters. In some cases, landlord software may also be bundled with legal manuals and books for landlords.
Landlords frequently rely on forms and letters in their business. While some landlords still do business using oral leases, most want some type of written lease or rental agreement signed by tenant in order to protect their business interests. Landlord software for the purpose of producing leases allows landlords to prepare and customize lease and rental agreements that are easy to read and can be easily printed out. In addition to leases, landlords must frequently give tenants written notice of scheduled inspections, lease renewals, or even preliminary eviction notices. Landlord form software can assist landlords by providing ready-to-use forms for all of these purposes.
As landlording is a business, most landlords need to keep good financial records so as to maximize their investment. Record-keeping landlord software provides landlords with the way of keeping track of expenditures, rents, and other fees. This type of record-keeping software can be a real help to landlords at tax time when they need to separate their personal finances from from their business earnings and losses.
For landlords with several properties, financial analysis software can be extremely helpful. This type of landlord software allows landlords to separate their various properties and enter expenses and income information for each. The landlord can then use this information to see which properties are making the most money. Landlords who are considering selling off a property or making renovations can use this software to view the long- and short-term consequences of each decision.
Many landlords who own multiple properties often have employees or simply turn the day-to-day aspects of their business over to a property management firm. These landlords or property management companies may decide to use a comprehensive property management software package. This package often includes record-keeping software combined with form generation and the ability for property managers to include notes and details on different tenants and properties. This sort of landlord software package is not only useful in managing a landlord business, but can also be helpful in protecting the landlord's legal rights by demonstrating strong record keeping and compliance with local landlord-tenant laws.
