Property management and messaging software?

Property management and messaging software?

0:02 AM, 10th February 2023, About A year ago 7

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Hello to All, I’m hoping that the clever clogs amongst the community might be able to offer a view on whether I can legally obligate my tenant – by means of a clause in an AST – that they HAVE to communicate with me as the landlord via the web and app based management portal we currently use (Arthur Online).

We have 21 properties and have managed them ourselves for several years by leveraging technology provided by SaaS providers.

The reason we chose to use one of these platforms was to log and monitor maintenance and other issues and have a central portal for all communications with tenants and contractors rather than the laborious and inefficient use of emails or texts.

Some tenants are just plain lazy or bl$$dy-minded and resist or refuse to cooperate. I want to make it a prerequisite and a tenancy obligation, stated within the AST, for them to use the portal and I will start labouring the point BEFORE they accept and sign the AST.

I want to know if I can legally enforce it if they then decide not to comply during the lease.

Thank you,

Marty


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Comments

Ben

12:02 PM, 10th February 2023, About A year ago

We use Arthur too. A lot of our tenants won’t use it and I’m note sure you can require them to. But we find one thing that really helps is when they request maintenance. They are able to upload pics of the maintenance using the app on their phones. Quite easily. This often is the catalyst to get them to start using it.

Freda Blogs

14:00 PM, 10th February 2023, About A year ago

You can only enforce a term that is in the AST, so it should be in there and signed up to.

However, this forum would be a very quiet place if all tenants (and Landlords too) complied with their obligations under the AST - like paying rent, no pets etc.

In my experience, tenants seldom read the agreement, and many don't know let alone comply with all the terms. The majority only seem to bother when a LL tries to enforce something that they don't like or it doesn't suit them.

We have tried much the same approach as you, with limited success. The best we have achieved is communication via Whatsapp with a photo.

I think you got it right: "Some tenants are just plain lazy or bl$$dy-minded and resist or refuse to cooperate". Seems to be the world we live in ...

James Denning

10:29 AM, 12th February 2023, About A year ago

While such software might have advantages including for the tenant, if the tenant is paying the rent and abiding by the terms of the AST both in general and in detail, why insist on this when it's mainly for your convenience? And do remember whose money is going in which direction, the tenant is your customer.

Parker adam

5:20 AM, 6th March 2023, About A year ago

The article on property management and messaging software sheds light on the importance of using technology in managing properties effectively. As the property management industry grows, it's crucial to adopt efficient communication tools that simplify processes and enhance client experience. Messaging software, in particular, is an excellent way to keep track of maintenance requests, rent payments, and general communication with tenants.
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paul fenton

15:23 PM, 17th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Has anyone got any further comments on which is the best messaging software for compliance , I am just trying NRLA Portfolio , - but I think it needs more development or its user error - I thinks its too rigid in its front end data input requirements making it not so user friendly

Reluctant Landlord

17:42 PM, 17th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by paul fenton at 17/01/2024 - 15:23
I am trying the NRLA one with a property not quite ready for letting yet, but to see how the system works.

So far a bit clunky. Inability to edit their own draft AST to adapt it to my own, so then only the capacity to attach my own.
Thinking I really need to be able to send over ASTs to be signed electronically and returned the same way. Can't do that on this platform either.
Also deposits no link to DPS.

It seems to be like its more of a smart filing cabinet for one place storage of all docs. At the mo I can't see a clear benefit as even for my basic requirements it doesn't work.
Cant see where I can self generate an inventory from an adaptable template or add photos and again get this sent off and signed for electronically.

Ideally I would like a timeline log for each property so I can add in notes of any issues raised by T and when and add in photos as necessary and then close off.

Hmmmm

Reluctant Landlord

17:54 PM, 17th January 2024, About 3 months ago

I've always been a bit paranoid - what happens if the provider you use goes bust? What happens your info that is stored on their systems in regard to your properties? If that is suddenly removed/you can't access what the heck happens then?

Any if you want to leave them in the future (prices increase or service drops) - how do you transfer all the property details/tenancies/all copies of the docs you have had to upload in the first instance?

I do want to look into using another more modern way of managing my properties but nervous to take the jump and commit to one in particular. Sorry if this is going off the OP but a subject that has hit home to me and I am curious to know what others use and why and what 'back ups' they have in place.

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