The Best Apps for Managing Rental Properties

The Best Apps for Managing Rental Properties

Managing rental properties can be stressful, especially if you’re juggling multiple tenants, maintenance requests, and rent payments. But technology is here to help. Rental property apps make it easy to track income, communicate with tenants, schedule repairs, and more—all from your phone. Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or just starting out, the right app can save you time and hassle. Here are the best apps every rental property owner should know.

Buildium

Buildium is a powerful all-in-one property management app designed for landlords and property managers. It lets you handle leasing, payments, maintenance, and even accounting.

With Buildium, tenants can pay rent online, request repairs, and receive updates easily. You can also track expenses, screen tenants, and generate financial reports. Its clean interface and automation features make day-to-day tasks a breeze.

Buildium is ideal for people managing multiple units or properties. It’s a bit more expensive than some apps, but the features are worth it. Everything is stored in the cloud, so you can manage your properties anytime, anywhere.

AppFolio

AppFolio is another popular choice for landlords, especially those managing a larger portfolio. It helps you manage listings, tenant applications, rent collection, and maintenance tickets in one easy place.

One of its standout features is mobile inspections—you can do a full property inspection with just your phone. Tenants can also use the app to pay rent and submit maintenance requests, making communication smooth and quick.

AppFolio also offers strong accounting tools, including financial reports, tax forms, and budgeting support. It’s perfect for landlords who want a sleek, professional approach to managing their properties.

RentRedi

RentRedi is built with independent landlords in mind. It offers a simple and affordable way to manage tenants, collect rent, and organize maintenance.

One of RentRedi’s best features is automatic rent collection. Tenants can pay with credit cards, debit cards, or bank transfers, and you get notified instantly. It also includes tenant screening tools like credit checks and background reports.

Another handy feature is maintenance tracking. Tenants can upload videos or photos of their issues, and you can assign vendors directly from the app. It’s a great fit for landlords who want something efficient but easy to use.

Landlordy

Landlordy is a mobile-first app made for small-scale landlords. It focuses on keeping things simple. You can track rent payments, record expenses, and manage tenant info right from your phone.

The app lets you send rent reminders and receipts to tenants. You can also track when leases start and end, helping you stay on top of renewals. It even stores maintenance records and lets you track costs for tax purposes.

Landlordy doesn’t require a monthly subscription, which makes it a favorite for DIY landlords looking for a budget-friendly option. It’s available on iOS, making it best for iPhone users.

TenantCloud

TenantCloud is a free option that offers a surprising amount of features. It combines property management, accounting, and communication tools in one neat package.

Landlords can list properties, screen tenants, collect rent, and track expenses. Tenants can use the app to pay rent, submit maintenance requests, and sign leases digitally. There’s also an option to purchase add-on services like insurance and legal help.

TenantCloud is best for landlords who want a solid free tool but also want the option to grow. It works well for both new and experienced property managers.

TurboTenant

TurboTenant is great for landlords who want to manage rentals without paying a monthly fee. It offers free listings, applications, tenant screening, and lease templates.

Tenants can pay rent online, and you can track all payment activity in your dashboard. It also includes tools for collecting security deposits and handling maintenance requests.

TurboTenant’s interface is very user-friendly. It’s cloud-based, so you can access your info from anywhere. While there are premium upgrades, the free version covers most of the essentials landlords need.

Cozy (Now Apartments.com Rentals)

Cozy, now part of Apartments.com, is a reliable and well-known app in the rental world. It’s designed to make renting easier for both landlords and tenants.

You can list properties, accept applications, screen tenants, and collect rent online. Tenants love it for its convenience, and landlords appreciate its built-in tools and automatic reminders.

Best of all, it’s free to use. It’s a great pick for first-time landlords or those with just a few properties. Since it’s integrated with Apartments.com, you also get added exposure when listing your units.

Zillow Rental Manager

Zillow Rental Manager combines listing, tenant screening, lease management, and rent collection all in one place. You can list your property on Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads with a single click.

Applicants can apply directly through the listing, and you’ll get their background and credit reports. Once approved, you can use the platform to create and sign leases and even collect rent.

Zillow’s trusted name helps attract a large number of renters quickly. The app is simple, clean, and especially helpful if you’re managing a few units and need something reliable.

Avail

Avail is an intuitive app designed specifically for landlords with fewer than ten units. It covers the whole rental process, from marketing to collecting rent.

You can screen tenants, sign leases digitally, and receive rent payments via bank transfer. Avail also offers education tools for new landlords, including forms, templates, and advice.

The app makes it easy to stay organized and professional without needing a large-scale management platform. It’s affordable and perfect for independent property owners looking for solid support.

Stessa

Stessa is more of a financial app for landlords who want to track rental income, expenses, and property performance. It doesn’t handle leasing, but it does help with the money side of things.

You can link your bank account, upload receipts, and track your net income in real time. It also provides tax-ready financial reports that make filing much easier.

If you already use another app for leasing but want something strong for accounting, Stessa is a great complement. It’s ideal for landlords who want to stay on top of profits and expenses without using spreadsheets.

Which App Should You Choose?

Choosing the best rental property app depends on your needs. If you want a full-featured app for multiple properties, go with Buildium or AppFolio. If you’re a solo landlord looking for something affordable, RentRedi, TurboTenant, or Landlordy are excellent picks.

Look at your goals—do you need better accounting? More automation? Easy maintenance tracking? Think about what your biggest pain points are and choose an app that solves them. Most apps offer free trials, so take time to explore before committing.

Final Thoughts

The right app can completely change the way you manage rental properties. From collecting rent to handling maintenance and tracking finances, today’s apps take the stress out of being a landlord. You can do everything from your phone—no more chasing checks or digging through paperwork.

Take advantage of the technology out there. Try a few apps, see what works, and stick with the one that saves you the most time and energy. Whether you’re managing one unit or twenty, there’s a perfect app waiting to help you make the process smoother.

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