Independent landlords face unique challenges. Managing properties, tenants, and financials can be overwhelming, especially for those who manage just a handful of units. This is where TurboTenant steps in—a cloud-based property management platform designed to simplify the process for landlords. TurboTenant promises a comprehensive solution that combines rental applications, tenant screening, rent collection, and property marketing all in one place, but is it the best property management platform for independent landlords? In this review, we’ll explore the key features, benefits, pricing, and potential drawbacks of TurboTenant.
What is TurboTenant?
TurboTenant is a property management software designed primarily for landlords who own and manage smaller rental portfolios, such as single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment complexes. Launched in 2015, the platform offers a suite of tools that help landlords manage their properties with ease. TurboTenant’s services include online rental applications, tenant screening, rent collection, and advertising, as well as lease agreements and maintenance management.
One of TurboTenant’s main selling points is that many of its core features are free, which makes it attractive to independent landlords operating on tighter margins. While other property management platforms might charge monthly subscription fees, TurboTenant only charges landlords for specific services, like premium tenant screening and certain document features.
Key Features of TurboTenant
1. Online Rental Applications
TurboTenant simplifies the process of collecting rental applications from prospective tenants. Instead of dealing with paper applications, landlords can direct applicants to TurboTenant’s online form, which can be completed quickly from any device. The platform allows landlords to customize these applications to gather relevant information, such as employment history, references, and income.
Why it’s beneficial:
- Saves time by eliminating the need for manual application processing.
- Ensures all applications are organized in one place, making it easier to compare candidates.
- Easy for potential tenants to fill out, improving the likelihood of receiving more applications.
2. Tenant Screening
One of TurboTenant’s standout features is its tenant screening service. This tool provides landlords with critical information about prospective tenants, including credit reports, background checks, eviction history, and rental history. With a detailed screening report, landlords can make more informed decisions and minimize the risk of problematic tenants.
TurboTenant offers both a free screening report (paid by the tenant) and premium screening options for landlords who want more in-depth information.
Why it’s beneficial:
- Helps landlords make better, data-driven decisions about who they rent to.
- Reduces the risk of renting to tenants with poor credit, prior evictions, or criminal records.
- Easy for tenants to complete, as they can submit their information and consent online.
3. Rent Collection
TurboTenant makes rent collection hassle-free by offering an online payment system. Tenants can pay their rent through the platform using credit or debit cards, ACH transfers, or electronic checks. The system also includes automated payment reminders, ensuring that tenants are notified when rent is due.
Landlords can track payments through TurboTenant’s dashboard, making it easier to keep records of who has paid and who is behind on rent.
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Why it’s beneficial:
- Simplifies rent collection by eliminating the need for checks or in-person payments.
- Reduces late payments with automatic reminders to tenants.
- Provides a clear record of payments, which is useful for financial tracking and tax purposes.
4. Property Marketing
Getting the word out about available rental units can be a challenge for independent landlords. TurboTenant offers a free property marketing tool that helps landlords advertise their properties across multiple listing websites, including Zillow, Realtor.com, and Apartments.com. With a single click, landlords can create and publish a listing that reaches a broad audience of potential renters.
The platform also allows landlords to share listings on social media and manage inquiries from interested applicants through the TurboTenant dashboard.
Why it’s beneficial:
- Saves time by syndicating listings across multiple rental platforms.
- Reaches a larger pool of potential tenants, increasing the chances of filling vacancies quickly.
- Helps landlords manage inquiries and communicate with interested tenants easily.
5. Lease Agreements
TurboTenant provides customizable lease agreement templates that landlords can use to create legally binding rental contracts. These templates can be tailored to specific states and customized to suit the landlord’s preferences, ensuring compliance with local rental laws.
The lease agreements can be signed electronically, making the entire process more convenient for both landlords and tenants.
Why it’s beneficial:
- Reduces the need for costly attorney fees to draft lease agreements.
- Ensures leases are compliant with state laws, reducing the risk of legal issues.
- Electronic signing streamlines the process and reduces paperwork.
6. Maintenance Management
TurboTenant includes a feature for tracking and managing maintenance requests from tenants. Tenants can submit repair requests through the platform, and landlords can assign and track these tasks. This keeps communication organized and ensures that maintenance issues are addressed promptly.
Why it’s beneficial:
- Simplifies communication between landlords and tenants regarding repairs.
- Helps landlords keep track of maintenance history and costs.
- Provides an organized system for handling maintenance requests efficiently.
TurboTenant Pricing
One of the most attractive aspects of TurboTenant is its pricing structure. Many of the platform’s core features, including property marketing, rental applications, and rent collection, are free to use. TurboTenant makes money by offering optional premium services, such as advanced tenant screening and state-specific lease agreements.
- Tenant Screening Reports: TurboTenant’s standard screening report (which includes a credit check and criminal background check) costs $55 and is typically paid by the tenant. Premium screening options are available for landlords who want more detailed reports.
- State-Specific Lease Agreements: While basic lease templates are available for free, landlords can purchase state-specific lease agreements for $39.
- Optional Fees: TurboTenant charges optional fees for certain payment methods, such as credit card transactions.
This pricing model is ideal for independent landlords who may only need specific services and don’t want to commit to monthly subscription fees.
Pros and Cons of TurboTenant
Pros:
- Many core features are free, making it an affordable option for independent landlords.
- Easy-to-use platform with an intuitive interface.
- Comprehensive tenant screening tools that offer valuable insights into applicants.
- Free property marketing helps landlords fill vacancies faster.
- Online rent collection simplifies the payment process for both landlords and tenants.
Cons:
- Some premium features, like state-specific lease agreements, require additional fees.
- Limited customer support options, with no phone support available for free users.
- Might not offer enough advanced features for landlords with larger portfolios or complex property management needs.
Is TurboTenant the Best Platform for Independent Landlords?
For independent landlords, especially those managing a few properties, TurboTenant offers an excellent range of tools to simplify property management. Its user-friendly interface, robust tenant screening options, and seamless rent collection system make it an attractive choice. The fact that many of its features are free makes it even more appealing for landlords on a budget.
That said, larger property managers or landlords with more complex needs might find TurboTenant’s offerings somewhat limited compared to more feature-rich platforms. However, for independent landlords looking for a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution, TurboTenant is certainly one of the best property management platforms available today.