Property Management

Do you wish there was a better way to track maintenance requests and work orders?  Now there is, SimplifyEm Property Management Software makes it easy and simple.

SimplifyEm has portals for tenants, owners and vendors.  Portals provide a self service system that eliminates the unnecessary back and forth communication and improves response times.

The process of tracking a maintenance request is as follows.  Tenants submit maintenance requests via the tenant portal.  The property manager gets notified via email of the new maintenance request then assigns it to a vendor.  The vendor gets notified via email and starts on the work order right away.  Tenants and vendors can add pictures and detailed notes.  All communication is saved and can be viewed at a later time.  Once the vendor completes the work, the vendor can mark the work order as resolved in the portal.  The tenant can also mark the work order as resolved in the portal.  Once the work is completed, the property manager closes the work order and pays the vendor online or prints a physical check via SimplifyEm.  This whole process is streamlined and saves property managers and landlords a lot of time every year.  Portals also provide a professional experience that everyone can enjoy.

SimplifyEm can prioritize the work orders so the most urgent ones are completed first.  Recurring items can be automatically scheduled daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.  A calendar is available in SimplifyEm to see all of the maintenance requests and work orders for the month, week or day.  Employees or assistants can be invited as sub-users and help with the workload, communication and coordination.  Property managers can keep track of the progress of each work order and can run reports for any time period to see the maintenance and repairs done for a specific property or unit.

SimplifyEm not only can help with keeping track of maintenance requests and work orders, but SimplifyEm can also help with vendor management.  SimplifyEm can keep track of all vendor contact information and all expenses, repairs and maintenance tied to specific vendors.  Vendors can get paid via the online payment system or by a physical check that SimplifyEm can generate.  When tax season comes around, SimplifyEM can automatically generate 1099 tax reports for each vendor inputting their correct information.  Property managers can then print, email and e-file the 1099 reports.  E-filing is sa great way to eliminate paperwork and increase productivity as all 1099s can be e-filed with one click.

SimplifyEm is a true all-in-one property management software for managing properties.  SimplifyEm keeps track of all income and expenses, tenant and lease tracking, mass text and email of notices, renter’s insurance, manage bank accounts, create rental listings, send online applications and leases, run tenant screening reports, and generate over 20 reports including the Schedule E for taxes.

SimplifyEm provides free, unlimited customer training and world class live phone and email support.  Take your rental business to the next level and sign up for a free 14 day free trial and test it out yourself (no credit card required).

Need a new tenant?  Below is an easy step by step process that explains how to find a tenant and fill a vacancy easily.

First, let’s discuss the old way.  The old way was to list the property online one by one, use paper applications, paper lease agreements, and collect paper checks for the security deposit and rent.  The old way is time consuming and burdensome.

The new and easy way to fill a vacancy is to have an online program that has all of these features and saves everything online so you can eliminate paper.  This all-in-one program is SimplifyEm Property Management Software.  It’s user friendly and easy to use.

When your property is ready to be listed online, it’s best to list to as many sites as you can so you can receive a lot of leads in little time.  SimplifyEm integrates with the Zillow network, Rentpath network, Apartments.com network and Craigslist totaling over twenty sites to list at with one click.  When someone is interested in a property, they would fill out an interest form on the listing and the leads would be collected in SimplifyEm for review.  The next step is to review the lead information and send online applications.

Online applications makes it easy for everyone to sign online in seconds.  SimplifyEm provides a lot of different options.  The first option is to create a generic rental application for a specific property or unit.  This generic application can be posted online on any rental advertising website.  Prospective tenants can apply right away.  The second option is to create a generic rental application for a website.  This would be best if someone wants to get on a waitlist for any properties available.  The last option is to send an application directly to the tenant via email.  All of these options makes it convenient for anyone to apply online.  Lastly, SimplifyEm allows the property manager to collect their application fee online and that gets deposited directly into their bank account streamlining their process even more.

After receiving and reviewing applications, the next step is to run tenant screening reports.  SimplifyEm provides many reports including background check, credit check, social security validation, eviction, income verification, and employment verification.  One of the great things about SimplifyEm’s tenant screening is that property managers get the reports within minutes and can find the right tenant quickly.

Once you find the right tenant, the next step is to sign the lease agreement.  SimplifyEm has built-in state-specific lease agreements that can be signed online by both the property manager and the tenant.  Property managers can also collect the security deposit online along with the signed lease agreement.  The security deposit would get deposited directly into the property manager’s bank account.

Once the tenant signs the lease agreement and pays the security deposit, then it’s time to onboard the tenant.  The property manager can invite the tenant for a tenant portal that includes online payments, ability to view notices and submit maintenance requests.  Online payments are convenient for everyone and it’s easy to sign up.  A tenant portal minimizes the back and forth in communication and all of the history is saved for everyone to view.

Save a lot of time this year and sign up for SimplifyEm.  Simplifyem provides free, unlimited training to all customers and free live phone and email support to you, tenants and vendors.  Take your rental business to the next level and get a free two week SimplifyEm trial here (no credit card required.)

Is it difficult staying on top of the books every month?  Keeping track of who’s paid rent and who hasn’t?

It all starts with the property management business model.  The business model is to collect rent in the beginning of the month, process invoices and pay owners and vendors in the middle of the month, then reconcile bank accounts at the end of the month.  All of this can be done in an organized manner in SimplifyEm Property Management Software.  SimplifyEm makes it easy even if you have no accounting or little property management experience.

To collect rent at the beginning of the month, you can link your bank accounts to collect rent rent online via ACH or credit or debit card.  SimplifyEm can auto withdrawal rent every month based on the due date and amount set up on the tenant’s lease terms.  When rent gets collected online, the system automatically records rent as paid saving you time on data entry.  Reports can be run to see when the payment processed, withdrew and deposited in your bank account.  A rent roll report can be generated that shows the totals of rents due and collected.  Late rent reports can be ran to see who is late and how much still needs to be collected.  For any tenants that have not paid, late fees can be added to the tenant’s balances and late rent notices can be sent.  The system automatically populates the notices with each tenant’s information and due balance.  The late rent notices can be sent via email, text and published to the tenant portal.  In case you need to bring the tenant to court, the system also has a full payment history report that shows all of the payments and reflects any due balances.

The next step in the property management business model is to process invoices and pay owners and vendors.  Expenses can be easily entered in like a spreadsheet and tied to a property, unit, tenant and vendor.  Receipts and invoices can also be uploaded to each expense.  The owners and vendors can be paid via ACH using online payments or by printing a physical check.  SimplifyEm supports blank check stock and pre-printed checks.

The last step is bank reconciliation.  Instead of reconciling by pen and paper every month, it can be done online and in one place.   All payments and checks would appear on one page making it easy to select items that cleared.  Reconciling bank accounts minimizes any accounting mistakes or human errors.

SimplifyEm has more reports including the Schedule E and 1099s for taxes.  The Schedule E will automatically populate all of the income and expenses entered in and the 1099s would be generated for your owners and vendors.  The 1099s can be printed, emailed and e-filed.

SimplifyEm offers free, unlimited, one-on-one training for each customer.  If you need help, a product specialist can walk you through the steps and answer any questions.  As a SimplifyEm customer, you’ll also receive free live phone support, email and text message support.  Get a free two week trial here (no credit card required).

 

Tenants in Louisiana – What happens if you have made improvements to the rental property? Will you be paid by the landlord for it? Here are guidelines for tenants in Louisiana if improvements are made.

At the termination of the lease, absent a contrary agreement, improvements, attachments or additions made by the tenant to the property are dealt with as follows:

The tenant may remove his/her improvements if he/she restores the property to its former condition. If the tenant fails to remove the improvements, then:
A) The landlord may pay the tenant for the cost of the improvements or for the enhanced value of the leased thing—whichever is less.
B) The landlord may demand that the tenant remove the improvements within a reasonable time and restore the property to its original condition.

If the tenant fails to remove the improvements, the landlord may:
•Remove the improvements and restore the property to its former condition at the expense of the tenant.
•Acquire the improvements without any obligation to reimburse the tenant.

Source: Louisiana landlord and tenant guide.

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help landlords, tenants, rental property owners and real estate owners reduce the impact of earthquakes. Here are 6 keys for landlords, property owners, tenants and real estate owners to prepare before an earthquake.

Six Ways to Plan Ahead

1. Check for Hazards in the Home
* Fasten shelves securely to walls.
* Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
* Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
* Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
* Brace overhead light fixtures.
* Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
* Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
* Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
* Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

2. Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
* Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
* Against an inside wall.
* Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
* In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

3. Educate Yourself and Family Members
* Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the “How-To Series” for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
* Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
* Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.

4. Have Disaster Supplies on Hand
* Flashlight and extra batteries.
* Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
* First aid kit and manual.
* Emergency food and water.
* Nonelectric can opener.
* Essential medicines.
* Cash and credit cards.
* Sturdy shoes.

5. Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
* In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
* Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

6. Help Your Community Get Ready
* Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
* Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
* Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.
* Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
* Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
* Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

Following this 6 steps, landlords, tenants, real estate owners and rental property owners can reduce the impact of earthquake.

Source: Fema.gov

The tremors caused by even minor earthquakes can easily move personal computer systems, stereo systems, television sets, and other small appliances that typically sit on desks, tables, and countertops. If they fall, they can be damaged beyond repair.

Landlords, tenants, real estate owners and rental property owners can protect desktop computers and other small appliances by restraining them in a variety of ways. Methods such as using hook-and-loop material (Velcro, for example) require no tools. Others, which include using chains, cables, flexible nylon or elastic cords (“bungee” cords, for example), will usually require simple hand tools.

BENEFITS OF UTILIZING THIS MITIGATION STRATEGY

• Helps to prevent damage to computers and appliances
• Helps to prevent injuries to occupants

TIPS

Keep these points in mind when you restrain desktop computers and appliances:

• Make sure that the desk or table the appliance sits on is not so light that it can be easily overturned. If it is, and you can’t move the appliance to another location, consider anchoring the desk or table to the floor or wall.
• You can anchor the ends of chains, cables, or elastic cords to either the wall or the surface of the desk, table, or counter using eye-hooks, rings, screws and washers, or other types of mounts.
• If you want to use a wall-anchored chain, cable, or cord, attach it to a closed eye-hook screwed into the wall or to a wall mount (such as a ring or plate) attached with screws. Make sure the eye-hook or screws are long enough to penetrate not only the wall but also the studs behind it as well.

ESTIMATED COST

Restraining a single desktop computer or appliance with one of the methods described will cost about $50, depending on the amount of hardware required. Using hook-and-loop material would be the least expensive method. Using chains or cables would be the most expensive method, but may be necessary for heavy items.

SOURCE: FEMA.gov