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10 Best Property Management Maintenance Software

Written by Andrew Smallwood | Nov 17, 2023 7:37:09 PM

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 management 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 management maintenance.

Property management maintenance software solutions come in two basic categories:

  • Platform Solutions: Property management operations platforms or accounting software that include maintenance support, among other full-service property management solutions.
  • Dedicated Point Solutions: Property management software designed to tackle one specific problem – in this case, maintenance. 

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

 

 

1. Property Meld

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.

Pros:

  • The user interface is intuitive for PMs and residents
  • Opening repair tickets takes just minutes
  • Tracking repairs and resident satisfaction is easy and transparent
  • Powerful analytics help you see your success at a glance

Cons:

  • If you’re looking for a full-service operations platform, Meld won’t be the solution for you.

2. Lula

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.

Pros:

  • They do the work to vet and provide the vendors
  • You can bring your own vendors in if you want to
  • Integrates with any software
  • Customizable plans for self-service or full-service

Cons:

  • May not yet be available in your market
  • Only focuses on maintenance

3. Buildium

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.

Pros:

  • A near-complete solution for property management
  • Excellent tenant and owner portals and communication hubs
  • Analytics and tracking to streamline operations and results
  • A 14-day trial helps you evaluate if it’s a fit
  • Customizable packages

Cons:

  • Lack of transparency for owners
  • The listing process isn’t as comprehensive as some users want
  • Can be pricey

4. Mezo

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.

Pros:

  • Residents can get help immediately when they have issues and potentially resolve themselves with Mezo’s chatbot support
  • Technicians arrive with Mezo’s analysis and diagnosis, allowing them to come prepared and resolve issues quicker
  • Integrates with most PMS options

Cons:

  • Doesn’t integrate with all other PM tech solutions
  • As a newer technology, still has some bugs and gaps

5. Lessen

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.

Pros:

  • Excellent, seamless tech that’s easy to use and deploy
  • A fully vetted vendor network takes that work off your plate
  • An established brand that has worked out the “kinks” in service

Cons:

  • More ideal for more enterprise companies who need scale (rather than smaller SFR PMs)

6. AppFolio

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 managemen toolst, online maintenance request, mobile inspections, and more. 

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use technology with great UX
  • Fully mobile and automated
  • Customizable dashboards and advanced reporting

Cons:

  • An expensive platform if all you need is a maintenance point solution
  • Customer service is not always available for maintenance line

 

 

7. Rentvine

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. 

Pros:

  • Easy to use with excellent customer support
  • Owner and tenant portals work seamlessly
  • Excellent accounting process

Cons:

  • Has fewer features than some competitors but is continuously improving

8. DoorLoop

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 management maintenance, their software helps manage work orders, handle vendor payments, and track the process from start to finish.

Pros:

  • Intuitive, streamlined UX that’s user-friendly
  • Great customer service
  • Excellent integrations

Cons:

  • Expensive if all you need is a maintenance point solution rather than a full platform 
  • Some functionalities are still being developed

9. FTMaintenance

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.

Pros:

  • Robust work order tracking
  • Excellent mobile app for vendors and maintenance managers
  • Analytics and organization

Cons:

  • Not designed specifically for property managers, focused more on commercial properties
  • Complex if you are not tech-savvy

10. Latchel

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. 

Pros:

  • Fast response times
  • Easy to use for maintenance communication

Cons:

  • Many reviews say the issues didn't get fixed correctly
  • App is great for communication but sometimes requires the PM to step in and manage

How Second Nature Helps with Property Management Maintenance

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 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.