In the property management world, tech solutions abound. There are so many different players on the market, but sometimes, that wealth can be tough to navigate.
When it comes to property maintenance software, single-family property managers have to identify, first, how they approach maintenance and, second, what tech solution will best support their team, workflows, and operational structure.
It’s a daunting task! That’s why Second Nature builds integrated solutions to support residents in preventing issues from ever developing. These solutions reduce maintenance needs through preventive maintenance strategies and take work off the property manager’s plate.
But no matter how much prevention you build in with tools like our Resident Benefits Package, you’re always going to need some maintenance management. So, today, we’re going to look at some of the best approaches you can take and the best software available to you for property maintenance.
Property maintenance software solutions come in two basic categories:
We’ll explore solutions that fit into both of these categories and how to weigh the pros and cons of each.
Related: Best Single Family Property Management Software
Property Meld is a leader in the small to medium-sized property management business space. It’s a maintenance point solution to optimize work order management, response time tracking, vendor and resident communication, scheduling, and analytics. Its built-in “Owner Hub” helps provide the right amount of transparency to your clients. Perhaps the best feature is the Insights Tool, which helps you track metrics like the median speed of repair, average resident satisfaction, vendor health score, total spend per unit, and more.
Lula is another dedicated point solution focused on property maintenance technology. They leverage a network of vetted contractors to make finding the best technicians easy. Lula’s team becomes an outsourced extension of your property management company, troubleshooting, coordinating, and managing maintenance tasks. They operate in over 30 markets in the US and boast results like 80% one-trip resolutions and a net promoter score of 80.
Buildium is a popular all-in-one solutions platform and property accounting software with excellent management features. The web-based solution and app provide support in accounting and invoicing, communications, leasing, and maintenance activities. Their portals provide tenant support, maintenance management, and templates to make every part of property management easier.
Mezo is an AI-driven, cloud-based property maintenance management software. The aim of the app is to take work off your plate by automating maintenance ticket responses, resolutions, and insights. Mezo takes requests directly from residents and uses conversational AI to ask questions in real-time, identify problems, and diagnose the issue. It will support residents in resolving the issue on their own or integrate with your management system to get work orders quickly sent.
Lessen, formerly SMS Assist, is an enterprise-level solution providing tech-powered renovations and maintenance at scale. It’s an end-to-end platform for maintenance operations with a vetted vendor network and provides everything you need for maintenance or turning projects. PMs simply use the app to request projects, deploy Lessen network pros, track progress and checklists, check for quality control remotely, and process payments – all in one slick tech solution.
AppFolio is a full-service rental property management platform solution that is very popular with single-family property management companies. The web-based app streamlines and automates every stage of real estate management, including management, training, marketing and leasing, maintenance, accounting, reporting, and communications. For maintenance, AppFolio includes workflow automation, work order management tools, online maintenance requests, mobile inspections, and more.
Rentvine is a full-service property management platform that focuses on communication support between PMCs, residents, and clients. The platform streamlines application and tenant screening, inventory management, accounting with a manager’s ledger and client money tracked separately, marketing, leasing, and – of course – maintenance. The app tracks all your work orders from start to finish and supports communication between residents, property managers, and vendors throughout.
DoorLoop is another full-service property management software that provides all the features a property manager needs to manage their portfolio. You can handle accounting, maintenance, listings, marketing, client success, and more, all from the app. For property maintenance, their software helps manage work orders, handle vendor payments, and track the process from start to finish.
FTMaintenance is a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) point solution platform designed for maintenance managers, executives, and technicians. While it’s not specifically designed for property management, the software streamlines work order management, vendor payments, tracking, and more. For some PMs, this could be the added solution they need to focus simply on complex maintenance jobs.
Latchel is a property maintenance point solution that helps automate maintenance communication, scheduling, work orders, etc. Your residents message the Latchel team directly on the Latchel platform and get an immediate response to begin troubleshooting the issue. If the problem requires a maintenance visit, the Latchel team will deploy that and follow up with the resident.
When choosing property maintenance software, consider the key features below to make sure you’re selecting the most efficient and effective solution for you.
The software should allow tenants to easily submit maintenance requests through a user-friendly portal or mobile app. This feature ensures that all maintenance issues are reported promptly and tracked efficiently.
Effective communication with tenants is crucial for maintaining good relationships and ensuring that any issues that come up are resolved quickly. Look for software that offers built-in messaging systems, automated notifications, and communication logs.
Managing vendors and processing payments can be time-consuming. The best property maintenance software should streamline vendor management by including vetting, scheduling, and paying contractors. This helps ensure that maintenance tasks are completed by reliable professionals in a timely manner.
A robust work order management system is essential for tracking the progress of maintenance tasks. The software should allow you to create, assign, and monitor work orders, as well as maintain a detailed history of all maintenance activities. This is particularly helpful for identifying recurring issues and planning preventive maintenance.
With the increasing reliance on mobile devices, having an iOS and Android mobile app for property maintenance software is a must. The app should offer the same functionality as the web-based platform, allowing property managers to manage tasks on the go. Cloud-based features ensure that all data is accessible from anywhere, providing flexibility and real-time updates.
When it comes to maintenance, at Second Nature, we’re always looking to empower the resident. Our Resident Benefits Package provides solutions that minimize maintenance needs and costs in the first place. From HVAC/air filter delivery to on-demand property management pest control to rental rewards, we aim to incentivize residents to care for their property and take work off the property manager’s plate.
We also work closely with other property management software providers to ensure you have everything you need for success in your SFR property management business.
Learn more about the Second Nature RBP and how it can bring ease to your work.