Property Management Software

[fitzy]

Hi all

Any advice on what software to use, if any. I am looking for something that will manage about 6 individual houses on HMO's. Don't mind a challenge if the software is good.

Any recomendations greatly appriciated :cool:

[jello]

Anyone else tried any other software out????

I want one to keep all records and everything in one place.

Cheers

[jonnyd]

Hi a Newbie here to the Landlord zone,

Just a quick 'e' - what do you think is the best program to use to run a lettings agency - Vebra etc....


cheers!

[Amanda]

I've been using CFP Winman for the last six months.

I've found it to be very helpful as it links all the landlords, properties and tenancies. It has comprehensive accounting systems and even a practise mode!!

Its a bit fiddly to set up, but spend a couple of hours at it and its well worth it.

Hope that helps

[frodo]

I've been using CFP Winman for the last six months.


Amanda,

Could you possibly tell me *how big* CFP Winman is on your machine(s)? How much memory does it take up?

I am considering running multiple copies under Microsoft Terminal Services...

frodo / Andrew

[oaktree]

Minimum requirements to run Winman under terminal services are:

Dedicated server
P4 1ghz with at least 1gb of ram (suitable for 8 client connections running CFP applications)
40gb hard drive with at least 10gb free
SVGA monitor
Windows 2000/2003 Server

Workstations
Windows 2000 Pro or XP Pro
Celeron 800mhz with 128mb of ram
SVGA monitor with at least 256 colours, display must be at least 1024x768
10gb hard drive with at least 2gb of free space

CD drives go without saying - but I said it anyway

The key is the quality of the hardware in the terminal server, a seperate terminal server to your main file server is recommended. A high perfomance hard drive is recommended on the file sever if the main data is kept on the file server. CFP give detailed infomation about using terminal services on their web site

Multiple licenses from CFP are costly and you'll need support for each license; their software security is pretty good and will prevent most people pirating copies to use on extra workstations. When I alerted them to a gap in their security they offered me a measly £25 off my several hundred pound support package, it didn't encourage me to notify them next time.

Its a bit memory hungry so their 'minimum requirements' really is the minimum requirement.
It works OK but has its problems, most of which you can work around.
CFP seem to concentrate on adding bells and whistles to it rather than fixing niggly little faults - like adding Mobile Agent :rolleyes:
The Internet Upload module makes uploading to the web easy - but all the options cost extra
The auto pay facility makes paying landlords a cinch
Its fully CNR compliant.
Saying that it was the best of the pick of the ones I tried.

It's more than adequate for most peoples needs but a tad expensive if you've got less than 50 properties to make it pay for itself

[giles]

I know that there are various software packages on the market that are aimed at landlords, supposedly making it easier to manage a portfolio of properties, generating automatic reminders for things, keeping track of rents, deposits, financial management, logging and tracking repairs and lots other functions.

I was just wondering if others on here have any advice on which packages are worth buying, and which to avoid?

Thanks in advance.

Giles..

[MrShed]

I am not a landlord so cannot comment in detail. But for a small to medium portfolio, I would guess using a diary efficiently and often would be just as easy, and certainly would save you the money :P By trade I am a computer programmer, and we love it when someone commissions one of these type of programs, as they are basically specialised versions of a computer based diary. To be honest, it all depends on the price.

[MrWoof]

Assuming you are using Windows, MS outlook has a useful diary function but it has limitations, any spreadsheet can be used for financial tracking. There are specialist programs available but they cost a small fortune, if you use a spreadsheet you can customise it to suit you without needing to program it, very easy. I use MS Excel both to keep track of the properties and for my accounts. I also use 'Sidekick 98' as my diary but it doesn't work well in Win XP and there is no later version so if anyone knows of a good replacement for it, I'm in the market.

[frodo]

Unfortunately, it would appear that the details to which you refer are in the protected support area...But CFP were quite happy to let me into the area when I explained my interest :)

Andrew

[boardkrazy]

Hi, I am about to open a letting and management agency. I have had a look at several software options but can't decide. Does anyone have any recommendations for or against any of the standard packages

thanks

[kimhazzard]

Hi
there are so many to chose from southcourt property do one but its a whole package maybe they will do you some sort of deal just for the software its very good infact their system is that good it does everything apart from make my lunch

On the other hand i used to work for a very well known estate agent and we was paper based bit dated i know and time consuming but cost effective to begin with maybe oneday they wll get a system but it worked just as well on paper so maybe they wont tight gits:D

[johnboy]

Take a look at www.key-data.co.uk its not the cheapest but you get what you pay for

[mike ward]

I`ve Recently Opened A Letting Agents In North Wales And I`m About To Purchase Software For Accounts, Tenants,etc Can Anyone Recommened A Good User Friendly Software?

Many Thanks

[J4L]

Can anyone recommend a software package for letting agents please??

Gareth

[johnboy]

Try Key-data Gold Its Not Cheap But You Get Want You Pay For I Suppose

[J4L]

thanks johnboy, I.m just lookin it up now and JUST like ANY software company they are very evasive about cost. I'll phone them I think and see EXACTLY what they are charging.
Gareth

[J4L]

Wilder,
It appears it is. I got a PM from Novice saying how he'd spent a shed load of money in the last 12 months and has got no results using their pack and following all their literature.
I was actually looking at pc software package myself, dunno if the southcourt one includes this does it??
Gareth

[Wilder]

Good point Wickerman, I feel custom software may be the way to go. I can do the programming, so may give that some thought. Thanks for that idea

[Paul_W]

I use EZPZ Software, I like it because it handles my accounts but does alot more besides.
Free 30 day trial at http://www.ezpzsoftware.co.uk/

[poncho]

Does anyone know of any software which is free for selling houses and letting properties, my friend said ASPIR is the best from http://www.britishsoft.co.uk/ and says most estate agencies use this? :eek:

[justaboutsane]

We use excel for all our bits and pieces. I am currently reading Excel VBA for dummies to make our spreadsheets user friendly! I am not a programmer and have never done anything like this before! Bit of an adventure! But for £13 I am hoping to have a package custom made by me!!

[justaboutsane]

Wickerman, thanks for the tip, thats what the dummies book is based on! .. Recording macors, the other book I got from the library was a nightmare! Too full of telling how to do the functions and not how to use them!

[Poppy35]

HI

I am a lettings agent and are in the process of transferring over to a new package that has been pretty much tailor made for us. We initially starting using the package which was access based about 6 years ago and although was used by another local agent we found lots of errors etc in it which we always rectified by the creator. anyway he's now made this package into a windows based one and I am in the process of checking it out etc. He is hoping to go national with this package very shortly so if anyone is interested please pm me and I will get him to email you the info about it.

[gb147]

Hi Novice
Could I also have a copy of the Southcort package please, if possible.
thanks
I would also like to know if the Southcort way is the way to go. I am hoping to set up a lettings and property management company in the near future and any advice is more than welcome

[Rebecca12]

Can anyone give some user feedback on the Southcourt software referred to earlier in this thread?

Is it user friendly? Does it do everything you need?

I'm currently trialling RentAccom but finding it very clumsy. I also feel it assumes you have a fair amount of financial training.

[NoelW]

I currently use CFP Winman (which is the most expensive and likes to be known as the market leader) after updating from the CFP dos version the updating was not as easy as advised, the dos version was bullet proof but the new Windows version (Networked 3 users) requires at least 1 call a week to support, The programme is very comprehensive and works well but some what not the most user friendly, however one of my biggest gripes is that when you put a alarmed appointment in, this only comes up when the original user is logged in, so if somebody else is logged into your machine an hour or a week later no alarm is activated, CFT maintain that they are working on this (3 or 4 years of the program working ?) but would appear to just giving lip service..

I would like to know of other professional software, has anyone been able to properly compare different programs, and general discussion about the different products out in the market at the moment...

[johnboy]

I use key-data gold not cheap but good back up help. A bit hard to get my head around but ithink itwill do everything you will want software to do.

[Tiggy]

I also use Key Data Gold and have done for 2 years now - very user friendly and does the job although I probably don't use to its full potential which is my fault due to a lack of time. Well worth giving them a call if you are thinking of changing and its a monthly fee so no large amount of cash to find up front. Help team are falling over themselves to help as well they really do give excellent customer service.

[johnboy]

I agree with you.

It is a very clever bit of software and I'm going to stick with it. I just think the training could be made a bit clearer and the training courses be structered (I know I can't spell) better. Not just my opinion others on the courses thought the same. Also a feedback form at the end of a course wouldn`t go amiss.

Don't get me wrong I would be supprised if there was anything much better out there and yes they are very helpful when you phone up.

[lemsol]

Hi all :)

I am posting to enquire as to what are the most important features to you in software for lettings agents?

I ask this because I wrote a Microsoft Windows based system a couple of years ago for a local organisation near where I live. It was a very simple system which dealt with repairs, cp12s, etc. They were very pleased with it.

I am going to revamp that system now and add to it for the use of other organisations as I am currently in the process of setting up a small business full-time instead of contracting off and on like I used to. So, what are the most important things in lettings agency software to you? Also, what would you like to see in a new software suite which is missing from any or all you have used currently or in the past?

Thanks in advance in anticipation of any replies received.

P.S. I have not posted details of specifics as I do not wish to advertise, only to gather some opinions and guage what never-before-seen features would be desired by the property industry. It will be almost a year before the software is ready for public consumption.

[Craig01]

Hi all,

Have read a lot of the posts on the site and am still confused as to what is the best software.

I have a portfolio of 60 properties which is broken down as per below:-
- x45 properties let through ourselves - incl Housing benefits etc
- x10 properties on 3 year leases - which are then sublet to other tenants
- x5 properties let through a letting agency

We carry out all maintenance work on these properties.

My main requirement for the software apart from the usual rent, tenancy, utilities etc is the Repair / Maintenance modules.

I am looking for software which will allow me to view the progress of my repairs e.g. log repairs, send order to sub contractor (by fax / e-mail), status (complete, in progress), sub contractor invoice, pay invoice, allocate to property, invoice tenant, payment received.

Show outstanding tasks, what needs to be invoiced etc

What is the best software to manage my portfolio?
Is there anything like this available?
If there is software like this available, do they have a module which allows use with Pocket PC?

Cheers
Craig

[Poppy35]

i think to do all the above you need something like sage!

we have a software designed for us which deals with all rents, invoices etc and reminds us about visits, safety checks overdue etc but does not remind us about o/s jobs - wish it did though!

[Craig01]

I already have sage line 50 installed and set up, this is good for managing accounts and some of our design & build developments but not so much so for residential and commercial lets. It does not offer safety checks reminders, Tenants details, Latest Valuations, by property maintenance etc all in one screen!

I have noticed most of these new software’s actually link directly in to sage...

Surely there must be something out there, or do I have to go down the route of some kind of facilities management software?

[Poppy35]

theres a few out there on the market, CFP, winman, rentman software, thesaurus, to name but a few.

Ours is called Targa which someone has set up for us from scratch but does not link to sage unfortuntely - our accoutant wished it did.

[jeffrey]

theres a few out there on the market, CFP, winman, rentman software, thesaurus, to name but a few.

Ours is called Targa which someone has set up for us from scratch but does not link to sage unfortuntely - our accoutant wished it did.

What does your accouNtant think of spell-checking, unfortunAtely?

[oaktree]

I've used CFP Winman, CARL, Rentman and another that was so appalling I can't even remember its name. Winman was by far the best IMHO but may be too costly for such a small portfolio although it will cetainly do everything you mention and a lot more besides.

CFP also produce a product called Winlet which is a cut down version of Winman without the accounting facility so it will still do all that you need it to do.

http://www.cfp-software.co.uk/

[Poppy35]

What does your accouNtant think of spell-checking, unfortunAtely?

oh for petes sake grow up, do small sp errors really matter???? (and no i dont know who pete is!) :D

[jeffrey]

oh for petes sake grow up, do small sp errors really matter???? (and no i dont know who pete is!) :D

Grown-ups can spell and punctuate (+use capitalisation properly). Children cannot. Adults are also more civil than you seem to be.

[Poppy35]

Well then, most of the posters on here must be children then.

This is an information site for others to gain help and advice from people with more experience than them and not the place to gripe about others spelling errors.

[jeffrey]

Well then, most of the posters on here must be children then.

This is an information site for others to gain help and advice from people with more experience than them and not the place to gripe about others spelling errors.

1. I wasn't griping, but
2. Didn't you mean "...more experience than they" and "others' spelling errors"?

[sharemaster2]

Poppy35,

Just learn to disregard input from children as you will note that some kidds that are not in school play all day on the internet and look for reasons to help thier boredom and pick on the slightest error to spark off a debate and get a kick out of it.

Some so called adults do ran out of Growing Hormones and therefore look like grown ups while they are not mentaly. The name Jeffrey comes to mind.

[jeffrey]

Poppy35,

Just learn to disregard input from children as you will note that some kidds that are not in school play all day on the internet and look for reasons to help thier boredom and pick on the slightest error to spark off a debate and get a kick out of it.

Some so called adults do ran out of Growing Hormones and therefore look like grown ups while they are not mentaly. The name Jeffrey comes to mind.

Tut tut- who's childish now?
-kidds
-thier
-mentaly

[J4L]

Well well well.
:eek:
I can't believe I'm reading this!

IMHO i don't care what the spelling is like as long as the information being given as a response is correct. Many times I make a spelling error because of the speed of my typing and not because I don't know how to spell.

I think the OP is bored and looking for an argument in full view of everyone. If the OP were REALLY concerned about anothers' spelling then surely they'd PM them instead wouldn't they?

Poppy you have to ignore people like this! You have helped me in the past and your information has been great regardless of how it was spelt.

Oh and by the way this is a 'senior member' with 1800+ posts!!!!!
>>>>wonders if it's worth trawling through them to find an error.

Nah I don't think I'll bother actually because that would mean I was as low as him!

[jimk2]

Hi All,

I have 1 flat I let out and I'm in the process of purchasing a second. The completion should be concluded at the end of this month.

The second property requires modernisation so there will be alot of capital expenditure I will need to keep track on. I'm on a 14 day trial with property manager software which is excellent for recording all income and outgoings. As well as all the usual tenant details, suppliers etc. Probaby more than I need to be honest.

The software is however £80 :( Does anyone know of any other recommended software that is a bit cheaper. There are alternatives on ebay but I guess they would be a gamble without a trial or recommendation.

Thank you

Jim

[Editor]

Specialist Property Management Software can make the process of property management more streamlined and convenient, once you have learned how to use the package - it means investing a fair amount of time initially to save time later. You don't therefore want to go down a blind ally with inferior stuff and waste your time.
Whatever package you eventually choose, you need to have confidence that it's reliable and backed by good service from the company selling it.
We have several examples on the LandlordZONE siste which have stood the test of time.

[Uncle Fester]

Hi All,

I have 1 flat I let out and I'm in the process of purchasing a second. The completion should be concluded at the end of this month.

The second property requires modernisation so there will be alot of capital expenditure I will need to keep track on. I'm on a 14 day trial with property manager software which is excellent for recording all income and outgoings. As well as all the usual tenant details, suppliers etc. Probaby more than I need to be honest.

The software is however £80 :( Does anyone know of any other recommended software that is a bit cheaper. There are alternatives on ebay but I guess they would be a gamble without a trial or recommendation.

Thank you

Jim

Do you have a link to the one your using?

[jimk2]

Do you have a link to the one your using?

Hi, Yes here it is http://www.propertymanageronline.com/

[jimk2]

Specialist Property Management Software can make the process of property management more streamlined and convenient, once you have learned how to use the package - it means investing a fair amount of time initially to save time later. You don't therefore want to go down a blind ally with inferior stuff and waste your time.
Whatever package you eventually choose, you need to have confidence that it's reliable and backed by good service from the company selling it.
We have several examples on the LandlordZONE siste which have stood the test of time.

Hi thanks for your reply, The more I think about it the more I think I should take the plunge and purchase it. The £80 does cover software (backed on CD rom) and 1 years support.

I was basically trying to find out if there is anything out there that is recommended and cheaper.:confused:

[Ericthelobster]

I have to say I just use simple MS-Excel tables (ie one spreadsheet per property), with columns for Date, Amount (debit or credit), Comment. Works fine for me working at a small level; though I can see if I really hit the big time I'd probably want something bespoke.

[apope]

I was going to ask virtually the same question. I had the free download for propertymanger but found it only allowed 5 properties. I also found the method of loading initial info very very time consuming and inefficient. I looked at the property intellect software package which is advertised on this site and was wondering if anybody had experience of using it?
By the way their standard package is £65.

[jimk2]

I was going to ask virtually the same question. I had the free download for propertymanger but found it only allowed 5 properties. I also found the method of loading initial info very very time consuming and inefficient. I looked at the property intellect software package which is advertised on this site and was wondering if anybody had experience of using it?
By the way their standard package is £65.

The basic package of property manager is 10 units which is 10 properties.

see here http://www.propertymanageronline.com/Pricing.htm

[apope]

Yes you are right.
My mistake , the one I was looking at is called 'landlord manager 2008'
It was a free trial that came as an attachment and only allowed 5 properties to start with. I will give propertymanager the once over - thanks!

[jimk2]

Yes you are right.
My mistake , the one I was looking at is called 'landlord manager 2008'
It was a free trial that came as an attachment and only allowed 5 properties to start with. I will give propertymanager the once over - thanks!

Let me know what you think.

I downloaded landlord manager 2008 too, It had a few bugs in the system as it kept crashing on me.
It's ideal if you fill in your own SA as it has the same forms integrated into it.

[sharemaster2]

Hi all,

I am have been trawling through the net looking for a complete solution SOFTWARE that one can use to manage the full running of a letting only agency with a shop front.

I have to admit that the one called "properite" is really good but just too EXPENSIVE and with a monthly charge that really is OTT for me and THAT is just my opinion.

Anyone with any other knowledge of any similar software that a NEW letting Agent can use and SLIGHTLY cheaper!!

Any input will be welcomed.

Thanks

[sharemaster2]

Check this site for the one I had mentioned was Good but Way too EXPENSIVE!! For a new Letting Agency on the Market, this will be too much with the monthly charges included. This is just my opinion. :(

http://www.properite.co.uk/features.php

[johnboy]

Does any one know of some reasonble priced software for block management. The ones I've come across so far are 5k plus.

[Colincbayley]

Does any one know of some reasonble priced software for block management. The ones I've come across so far are 5k plus.

Johnboy, what do you mean by 'block management' block of flats or portfolio management?

[johnboy]

Acting as Agent in managing small blocks of flats and all the legal responsilities that intails; service charges, insurance, annual AGM, maintenance etc etc etc etc.

[mjcroot]

Does anyone now of some good Residential Letting Software that you can buy outright and don't have to keep paying for the license every month?

[johnboy]

we use KEY-DATA http://www.key-data.co.uk/ which we pay for monthly and is really good. I did ask for the option to buy it outright at the start and they said they would (cant remember the price though).

[mjcroot]

thanks, I have looked at key-data. how do you find it? have you any opinion on CARL software?

[johnboy]

thanks, I have looked at key-data. how do you find it? have you any opinion on CARL software?

I think key-data will cover all your needs. The only problem i had with it was i wasnt that impressed with the training but once i got my head round it i would say it is second to none and probly one of the best out there.

I am very average at using a PC and it wasnt easy to do the training over the phone. It has a very good help button which is fine when you are up and running but to start with i think it should be supplied with staged idiot proof modules.

I dont think i could find anything better now and i wouldnt want to

[alidee]

hi
can anyone recommend a company which supplies reasonably priced letting/accounting software for a small property management company ?
have looked at the directory on here but would rather have recommendations.
many thanks
alidee

[Paul_f]

All PMS systems have good and bad points, but if you only have a small portfolio you can use an Excel spreadsheet which will do.

You could also search the internet as there are plenty such free systems although not for property specifically but they will still do the job. if I remember rightly, I found one from a New Zealand site which looked pretty good, but as I don't need one then I didn't save the details.

PMS are quite expensive to buy and have upgrade and monthly maintenance fees too, so you don't want to be spending lots of money before you can really afford it.

[alidee]

Hi Paul

Many thanks for your advice and I completely agree.

I have been recommended Quickbooks and they do a Property Management Version. Can find it on the net but can't find any prices as yet so no doubt expensive :mad:

Thanks again

Alidee

[Esio Trot]

We use Quickbooks for our businesses accounting and have recently upgraded to 2008 version.

It is expensive (too expensive!) and its origins in the United States are very evident.

The biggest bugbear is the area of BACS payments, Direct Debits and debit card transactions. These transactions still have to be entered as Checks [sic] then the reference changed to BACS, DD, Switch etc.

MS Money will do the necessary, though Quicken (before they abandoned it for UK users a few years ago) did a much better job. Tesco do their own version of a money program for around £10 and this will enable you to set up transactions and tracking of particular accounts. I know of one landlord that uses this for all his 30 properties and says it does everything he needs.

[aggy]

You can download a free copy of Microsoft Accounting Express 2008 from the Microsoft website; let me know if you need the link.
This will do fine for accounting and you could use Outlook Express for reminders such as Tenancy renewals and gas safety checks and, as already suggested, Excel spreadsheets. Also, if you have an up to date version of Outlook which incorporates Business Contact Manager, that will link with the MAE - have a look at Microsoft UK website.

[kayak]

I think it really depends on what level you want your software to run at.

If you are looking at management, advertising and accounting, obviously some spreadsheet isn't quite going to cut it.

We use LetMC, which does have its flaws but generally speaking we are very happy with. They even gave us some discount for being a start up company. There are ongoing monthly fees, but they do update weekly.

We will soon be integrating it without website to really improve the functionallity of our business- I am happy to answer any questions if you want me to!

Kind regards,

John

[Slaydeuk]

Having failed to sell a second home which I have, I intend letting the property. This is my first venture into this area and I wonder if some specialised accounting software is advisable for backing up my income tax return.
I already use Quicken 2004 for my personal bank and credit card accounts. Will Quicken be OK for the job and, if so, do I need a separate account for the letting business, or can I integrate income and expenditure with my personal accounts, separating them by the use of exclusive categories? I am using a letting agent to handle the tenancy.

Any advice will be much welcomed.

[Grange]

Personally I'd use Excel. I found Quicken completely incomprehensible when I once tried to use it.

You need to be able to separate out all income and expense for your tax return. Realistically this will be:

12 rental receipts grossed up for:
12 deductions from rent made by letting agent for expenses, commission etc.
1 insurance payment
2 water rates payments (perhaps)
0-3? payments for new washing machines, plumbers etc.

With under 30 transactions annually I'd use a piece of paper...

[Slaydeuk]

Thanks Grange. It looks as though it's going to be fairly uncomplicated. I am very familiar and happy with Quicken, having used various versions over the years. I think I'll try and set it up to track my letting accounts with maybe a parallel Excel spreadsheet version and see how it pans out.

Thanks again

[jax2503]

Hi,

I personally use CARL which is run by CARL Communications, I feel it is perfect for what I need. They do have a website and are based in Manchester. If I remember right the system costs £1500 + VAT for the basic system which has the capabilities to expand and manage more properties.

Derek

[Sportingdad]

is it worth purchasing this additonal software, running winman but it is difficult trying to see property details in full but feel that this is a con add on...any views??

[LetzWorcester]

Having used Winman in the past, I'd suggest against it - there always seemed to be some limitation that then required the purchase of an 'add-on' (which invariably costs £300 and another annual support contract). I'd look around the market and see what you can get for your money......

[Vicmo]

I have been a lettings manager for 9yrs and left to have a baby. As my company wouldnt let me return with flexible working hrs Ive decided I want to go it alone.

I have been looking at so many different sites about setting up your own letting agent from home but cant seem to find a comparison site. They seem to vary from about £300 (one off fee) to £2000 or monthly £35.

I obviously have a good knowledge of the business but never had to deal with accounts etc as I worked for a large cooperative. I am well known in my area so gaining instructions etc shouldn't be an issue. I just need a good value for money software system.

Do you have any another advice for someone starting out a fresh?

[johnboy]

I would say you dont need any special software yet unless you already have a number of properties to manage. Save the money for now and spend it on advertising. I managed 35 properties on excel/word but now we are up to about 200 we use key-data which isnt cheap not the easyist to learn (for someone not too good on a pc) but once we got our head round it it does everything you would ever need and more.

http://www.key-data.co.uk/

[Sportingdad]

CFP is the market leader, who have lowered the 1 user licence from £1,300 to £500, the problem is all the add-ons, key book, internet upload you can't see all the properties on the screen with out purchasing win-roller. The diary is so boring that the appointments only flash up on the station that entered the appointment, so if you hot desk your knackered. We changed to outlook for diary and just use it as an accounts package my advice is steer clear and discuss your the pitfalls of each package with agents..unfortunatly the one you start with is the one you end up with unless you want to re-enter all the data again

[Vicmo]

Thanks for your response Johnboy. My PC skills arent great so I would prefer a package that is set up for me and that is easy to use. I checked key-data and I'm still continuing my search , which may take a lot longer than I anticipated!

[Vicmo]

Yeah checked CFP and a few people have said there are lots of add ons.I will checkout outlook to. Thanks.

I have also looked at C.A.R.L. Does anyone have anyfeedback on this system?

One of the cheaper options with a one off fee of £595 is Lettings-opportunity.co.uk. They offer a Letting Agency Complete Business Package. Or so they say! This is provided by Southcourt Property Mangement. Has anyone any used this package?

[Paul_f]

All these PIS (Property Information systems) vary and there probably isn't one that is perfect. One agent I know had one designed especially for them for about £8,000 but with a large portfolio it paid for itself in no time.

[Sportingdad]

update CFP costs win roller £300
internet upload £300
Key book £300
Notices and letters £300
Instillation and training £900
Hotline support £450 per year
Network £500 each user
Extra Bank account(only 1 C/A) £300

Pretty stable program but basic old style computing

[LetzWorcester]

There's an awful lot of choice out there, but I guess an 'all-in' package is probably best. I'd suggest looking at LetMC or Propco as web based solutions - might be more suitable for you setting up. Both seem to have all the functionality you could need, with very solid client accounting. Think their pricing is based on average set up fee and monthly licence fee thereafter, both can easily tie in a website too. The problem with looking at the more basic packages, is that you will almost certainly need to upgrade them (and transfer data) in the near future.....

[Vicmo]

Wow! It all adds up!! I certainly dont need a key book and assumed notices and letters would be part of the package. Think I need a cheaper option till the cash starts flowing in!

Still interested hear from anyone who has used Southcourt. I have read all previous posts and do not wish to hear from wanderwoman!! I would like to hear from anyone who purchased it recently and wanted to know if it is suitable for someone with good knowledge of the industry.

Hope to hear soon!!!

[nick4692]

my company uses Gemini Lettings software www.vision-teknology.co.uk
its really good and great for our business - Does the whole lot too!
i also purchased the southcourt package two years ago and as a reference it has been very good but two years on i would offer the following feedback, based purely on my experiences!
1. i have discovered that the ast's are pretty basic and over the last two years have often thought that they leave me wide open!!!! having now purchased a "proper" tenancy agreement from some proper solicitors i can see just how basic their ast's are and its what they dont contain that is quite scary!please do your research and perhaps obtain a set of legal documents instead of using their ast's
2. despite their claims that they will not sell the package to other people within your area, they do! where i am based several have been sold and i dont feel we have had any kind of exclusivity
3. the paperwork supplied is pretty basic but serves a purpose! as your business grows, i think you will find it better to develop your own systems.
4. The marketing action plans are ok but to be honest may or may not work for you depending upon the area you are based in, the number of competitiors, how effective the local paper is, etc etc. my advice is noone will generate work for your business but YOU so you will only get out of it what you put in!
5. the helpline is average

I dont refer to it any more and stopped ages ago when i discovered the gaps in it but when i started the business it was useful.
hope this helps. Please feel free to email if you would like any further info.
Regards
Nick

[bradfordlettings]

I recently bought Southcourt and can confirm it was of great use to me with no prior letting experience, but with 9 years experience there will be little content of use to your in there.

[Vicmo]

Thanks Bradford lettings. I have decided not to buy there package. As I already have a good knowledge of lettings. What did interest me was the software package they use as it allows you to manage 30 properties at a good rate if you take the business package, but I have realised I only need the software. I spoke to southcourt but they werent keen to tell me who provides the software and you cant do an online demo.I am going to keep looking at the moment and have decided to run my business manually to start off with.

[Vicmo]

Thanks for your response Nick. I contacted the Negotiator and they are going to run a piece in their magazine about different packages on my behalf on 12th September, or so they say. I have asked them to send it to me a copy so I will post any findings for anyone interested!

[Rebecca12]

I too have the Southcourt Package and would say that it might be useful for a complete novice but if you have experience there's nothing of great value for you. Agree the AST is very basic and wouldn't use it.

The software is by a company called Wild Rabbit and a bit clumsy.

I'm also on the hunt for a more comprehensive but cost effective package and would be keen to know how you get on.

[jax2503]

HI Vicmo,

I personally use CARL for managing my clients properties. I find the software very easy to use, does everything that I need and more that I dont know how to work. The system is extremely good and you also have the facility to link it to your bank account for reconciliating payments, sending landlord payments also. You can also link it to rightmove, so when you mark a property as being vacant in 4weeks it automatically uploads it onto rightmove.

If you call them, i'm sure they do onsite demonstrations for you.

Jax

[Izzycam]

Can anyone recommend some software for house rentals, something that can keep track of mortgages, deposits, rents, ect.... Thanks

[jax2503]

Hi Izzycam,

Try CARL, website is www.carlcomms.co.uk

jax

[J4L]

CARL is quite expensive in my eyes, I looked at it some months ago.

Izzycam
You can run this purely on an excel sheet and a good system you set up yourself without having to go to the expense.

How many properties do you manage and what exactly do you want the system to do?

[Izzycam]

Somebody recommended Property Hawk anyone heard of this website software.

[Pobinr]

I agree. Excel is fine & you probably already have it.

[J4L]

Somebody recommended Property Hawk anyone heard of this website software.

I think property hawk is an online system.
It appears free at the moment but you never know when that's going to change.
Once they've got all your data, and you've got used to the system they could well start charging silly prices for access to it.

I downloaded the demo and to be honest it's not that good.

You'd be better building your own bespoke version!

[Mrs Jones]

I, too, use Excel for all my records.

[Izzycam]

Someone just gave me an American property management cd, I wonder if this will be any good if I just change from dollars .

[ali2161]

We are a Lettings Agency based in Leeds and currently have 64 Properties that are running at the moment, as well as wanting to bring another 42 in line that we have taken from other agents.

I have been looking for some kind of software that would enable us to do all the paying out and invoicing as well as keep track of the repairs that are done and automatically deduct these from the amounts receive before sending out the payment. There are also a lot of repairs that come in week after week.

The only issue that I have been facing is that 95% of our tenants are DSS (Council Tenants) and so their payments are 4 Weekly instead of monthly. The other issue is that they are some tenants that are partial Council Payment and partial 'Top-Up' by the tenant. The systems that have all the information on internet don't seem to specify whether they would be able to cope with the variation of inputs that we tend to have, and the response's that I get from them seem to have a lot of sales spin on them.

Can any-one help that has experience in this area of lettings or that knows of a system that would be able to cope.

[nick4692]

try Gemini Software
www.vision-tekcnology.co.uk.
we use it with a few hundred, does the whole lot and much more.
well worth a look
it can handle lovely dss and their infrequently paid top ups! as well as four weekly stuff too. pm me if you need further info.
nick

[nick4692]

sorry made a mistake
www.vision-teknology.co.uk

[johnboy]

Try www.key-data.co.uk

It will do more than you will ever need.

What i like about it is once it is set up at a click of a button you get a contract, L/L or T letter utility Co letter, s21, s13 and much more with all the details filled out with names & addresses etc. Saves loads of time. All your reminders will come up, it gives the option to automaticly e/mail invoices, T or L/L contractors instructions and then be saved under the property it relates to.

You can do all your office and client accounts on it as well.

Its also handles HB payments

[ali2161]

Thanks for the quick response, I will look at both of those.

I've also heard of one called POM (might be spelt incorrectly) does anyone know anything abot this one?

[homes4let]

CARL....

i have used this system for the past six years and have found it to be effective. More importantly there customer support is excellent if things do go wrong. Worringly they seem very cheerful on the phone :eek:

[oaktree]

Depending on your budget you might like to look at Winman www.cfp-software.co.uk

It covers all the criteria that you set out in your post and more including marketing with a function that allows integration with Mobile Agent (I'm yet to meet another agent who uses MA though)

It is a little pricey though compared with some of the other systems available but it is very comprehensive

[Rosa Klebb]

I work in an estate agent on weekends and they use CFP. They've got a new version out recently. Seems to cover just about all areas you'd need.

[johnboy]

Well just to give a balanced view I use KEY-DATA and the only fault I found was it wasnt the easyiest to head my head round to start with. (I'm no pc expert)

I have always found them helpful and efficient (not the cheapest).

It does more by far than i would ever need.

They have always been open to sugestions to improve and add.

Seriously I'm a agent.

[Sportingdad]

As I stated in the past CFP\Winman have reduced prices of from £1,300 per user to £500, boring but stable program/forget cfp diary and install Outlook and if you want the dogs bo****ks sync with iphones-outlook not cp --its all the little extras that add up.


update CFP costs win roller £300
internet upload £300
Key book £300
Notices and letters £300
Installation and training £900
Hotline support £450 per year
Network £500 each user
Extra Bank account(only 1 C/A) £300

[Vicmo]

Hi
I have started a new agency and have let about 20 properties. As I am working on my own and want to cutdown on admin time I'm thinking of using Rent Pro to make things more mangeable. Has anyone got any feed back on this system

Also, I am using the DPS I have submitted all deposits but dont manage any of these properties. Should I landlords to register and transfer all the deposits to their accounts so I dont have to deal with any tricky delaps, which of cousre Im not being paid for.

Cheers
Vicmo

[Paul_f]

You are getting into deep water if you as a letting agent did not go into these issues before you started up. With 20 properties some of which you don't manage does not yet warrant a PIS (Property Information System) package; there are several on the market and as they are only too keen for you to buy into these, each company will rush round to your office to give you a free demo, and telling you their's is the best system by far. All have flaws and you just have to make an educated decision based on the needs of your company.

By the way, how long have you been in lettings?

[johnboy]

With 20 properties on the books i would stick with word and excel at the moment and save any spare funds for your own training.

[Vicmo]

I have been a lettings manager for 10 years for a big company who had an all singing and dancing system. As I work on my own and am not a big admin lover I wanted a system to take away some of the time that I spend doing admin. I am Arla qualified but we used the TDRSA so we dealt with all deposits regardless of whether we managed them or not. I was then out of the business for nearly two years and dont have experience of the DPS before now. So should I transfer the deposits to Landlords. Is that what most agents do? Sorry for my ignorance but I didnt use the DPS before and thought it was quite a simple question.

[nask70]

any lettings software for the Apple Mac?:confused:

[LetzWorcester]

Best solution is probably web-based - then the operating system is not a concern.

[jesstwentyfour]

I'm a letting agent in Newcastle Upon Tyne, managing 30 or so properties and in need of some software to help with management, accounts etc.

I've wittled down the software packages to my 2 preferences, Gemini and Letmc.com, has anyone used either of these, and could you please give me some feedback / recommendations?

Thanks!

[Sportingdad]

sorry we use CFP!

+1 but outlook for diary as easier and you can hear the alarms:eek:

not a great fan, expensive, interface complex/clumsy but pretty stable.

[stavros1]

We use gemini, have been for about 2 years now its great generally and only a few complaints but feel free to PM if you would like more info
Nick

[markharrison]

As an group of 80+ offices, we have used CFP for the last few years with few complaints. That said we are now moving over to LetMC as we have been really impressed with their package so they would be my choice especially over Gemini which I don't rate very highly at all.
Cheers

[Sportingdad]

Well I have used CFP for more years than I can remember infact can remember Les Kirpatrick "the founder" ? (think that whats his name) flogging it himself. It needs to change the UI is old school/diary dreadful but now I see that GMG owners of VEBRA have bought CFP so hopefully a makeover will be on the way.

[Alex73]

Can anyone recommend software packages for lettings agents with a complete accounts, marketing, property management, etc. functions. I have many years experience of CFP (Win Man), but want to know what else is out there and what is being used. I'm dubious about online software for storing clients accounts.;)

[johnboy]

KEY-DATA has everything you would ever want and some.
www.key-data.co.uk

[cymro123]

Does anyone use Quickbooks to manage properties on here? There are a few books on this very subject but they are all very pricey so wondered if anyone could share some thoughts/experience of doing this.

Many Thanks

Tom

[Esio Trot]

Does anyone use Quickbooks to manage properties on here? There are a few books on this very subject but they are all very pricey so wondered if anyone could share some thoughts/experience of doing this.

If you can avoid it, don't use quickbooks for property management. In fact, don't use Quickbooks at all with any version later than 2006 (which is about to be sunsetted by Intuit) It is heavily USA biased - so much so that users in the UK have to input things like debit cards and direct debits as cheques and manually enter that it is a DD or Bacs or debit card.

Thankfully from the end of our current financial year (June) we will be shot of QB, and being chained to their £300 a year support/maintenance and for what is a pig of a program. Compared to Quicken it is so laborious and non-intuitive. We have signed up and will use EZPZ (http://www.ezpzsoftware.co.uk/) from then on (we have been running it in parallel for the last few months, and is simpler and does all we want).

EZPZ also do property management software as well.

[mmaguire]

We use RentPro (http://www.rentpro.co.uk) and have found it to be very good and priced very well.

[gina03]

Hi there,
We are in the very early days of setting up a letting agency and would like any recommendations of which software package to use. Various ones I have found on the internet do packages which seem to do the whole thing - from creating the website from their various templates, linking to portals, software recording tenants, deposits, rent payments, reminders, tenancy agreements, etc.
The only package I work on at the moment is an Accountancy package, so everything is a bit long winded!
One which I have looked into is Southgate Letting Opportunities.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks

[bigal]

Hi

Are there any software packages out there that cover both residential lettings and management and also block management-i have looked at grosverner but very expensive!

Which is the best on the market to cover these areas.


Thanks...Bigal

[k_paddington]

Can I ask what software landlords use for accounting purposes?

Would SAGE be suitable?

Or is there any special Landlord software available?

Thanks

[Key]

Hi

We are an established lettings company looking for a new lettings software package - any comments/reviews on your current software would be appreciated.

Thx

[Sportingdad]

however one of my biggest gripes is that when you put a alarmed appointment in, this only comes up when the original user is logged in, so if somebody else is logged into your machine an hour or a week later no alarm is activated, CFT maintain that they are working on this (3 or 4 years of the program working ?) but would appear to just giving lip service..

I would like to know of other professional software, has anyone been able to properly compare different programs, and general discussion about the different products out in the market at the moment...

We use CFP, agree the diary, appointment system is rubbish we ended up using outlook as got fed up with them promising to update it ...pretty safe but wished we had used something else now.

[Esio Trot]

We use CFP, agree the diary, appointment system is rubbish we ended up using outlook as got fed up with them promising to update it ...pretty safe but wished we had used something else now.

Never used the diary side - we looked at it some years ago and realised it was rubbish.

Unfortunately, CFP's Winman is based on M$ Access - which explains most of the stability issues. CFP are trying to interest us in their new product Winman MBA, but I'm not for spending yet more money on software.

At least twice a week CFP will dump one of us out sometimes then getting out-of-balance (paying landlords is quite a critical thing for CFP's Winman, and I always ensure there is a full backup taken before embarking on this). There's usually no point in phoning support, as they will normally say to restore from a backup. Some parts of Winman are the pits, but it does do what it says on the tin. I've tried other packages and they just don't do what a manager of property needs a package to do.

Our godsend is Karen's Replicator (http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp) where CFP is concerned. We have it set to do an hourly backup to an old PC we just use for data storage. This PC then copies the backup files to a second drive on another machine for safety. Every day we take another backup on a sub directory numbered 1 to 31 on another machine, as well ask keeping copies off-site - all with Karen's Replicator. It means whenever CFP gets corrupted, we normally only have to go back one hour and do a restore file.

[sjcollett]

I have tried both Key data and CFP. Have to admit could not get on with key data, but we currently use CFP which is very good. Quite tricky to get used to but when you do it's perfect for running the business

[craigfer]

Try www.10ninety.co.uk - speak to Colin

[pkc]

Can anyone recommend a software package to assist in letting properties. Don`t need anything that includes stuff to do with letting agents. I am a one man band but have reached the stage where I need some help to run the business.
There are several companies advertising but would like to know if anyone is using one that does the job.

[mind the gap]

Can anyone recommend a software package to assist in letting properties. Don`t need anything that includes stuff to do with letting agents. I am a one man band but have reached the stage where I need some help to run the business.
There are several companies advertising but would like to know if anyone is using one that does the job.

What do you want it to do, exactly?

[quarterday]

try MUS............their offering has achieved critical mass (ie there are lots of users around). Once you get it going you'll be amazed at what it can do for you

[pkc]

Can anyone recommend a decent software package that they are currently using?
Several on the market but dont know which one to go for.I have now reached the stage where I can no longer keep it all in my head.

[johnboy]

key-data gold

[brofred]

I just started using www.smartpropertymanager.com (http://www.smartpropertymanager.com) - seems ok for me (though I'm a private landlord not a letting agent)...

[SteveG68]

Hi Guys,

I am sorry if this has been covered before, I currently have a small portfolio of three units and am using a very basic system to manage them (MS excel mainly) - I am looking for some software to centralise my information, making the administration easier to do etc.

Can anyone put me on the right track for some good value software that could help manage the properties and tenants?

Thanks a million and sorry my first post has to be a request (i hope I have placed it in the right area of the forum!

Steve

[jeffrey]

Try http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=19655&highlight=software

[nuada]

I'm looking to purchase a software programme to help me in managing a privately owned portfolio of c. 15 residential units (likely to expand by 5-10 units per year).

Can anyone recommend good, user friendly software for in-house property management - most of the software I've come across has been for letting agents and has a lot of functionality I don't need.

Many thanks.

[havensRus]

Have a look at Property Portfolio Software (http://www.propertyportfoliosoftware.co.uk/). Have heard good things about it and its recommended by the NLA.

[mind the gap]

I'm looking to purchase a software programme to help me in managing a privately owned portfolio of c. 15 residential units (likely to expand by 5-10 units per year).

Can anyone recommend good, user friendly software for in-house property management - most of the software I've come across has been for letting agents and has a lot of functionality I don't need.

Many thanks.

Have a look in Stationery Box or WHSmith. (The latter are useless if you want a book, but not bad on stationery). A simple notebook with a ruler, pencil and school calculator can be equally effective and much cheaper. It cannot all be lost when your computer crashes. And you don't have to sully your conversation with unpleasant words like 'functionality'. I wouldn't have got where I am today without a ruler and pencil.

It's all good!

mtg solutions ltd.

[jeffrey]

Hope that your limited company is registered, to avoid danger of prosecution!

[Always Problems]

And be very careful about data protection as you will be holding other peoples details on your computer. Why also dont you sit the Data Protection Exam. I did and its not difficult. In software I use a spreadsheet for my lettings.

[jeffrey]

To register with the Information Commissioner is inexpensive (and minimises the risk of prosecution too!)

[nuada]

A belated thank you for all suggestions.

I'll check out the software recommended.

I have a limited company and the relevant qualifications and experience. I will also register with the Information Commissioner as suggested.

Thanks again.

[jamespaul]

Hexagon Software sells a system for agents called Benchmark which is worth a look.

We also have a system for property owners and investors who use Sage accounts and are looking for a system to integrate with it. That system is called Landmark.

[grouse]

A late reply I know, but I've been looking into buying some property software for some time and the biggest problem was always having to enter everything into the 'property software' and then into the 'accounts software'.

If you use sage for your accounts. then check out

http://www.landlord-manager.co.uk/products/landlord-manager-for-sage

It's due out this month and looks like it should save us a lot of time (if it works!)

I have nothing to do with the company but have just pre-ordered it.

My daughter works for a large letting agency and seemed impressed with the demo pages.

I have noted the comments re data protection

[SteveG68]

I am a private landlord and have just started using software for my properties, found rentalrelations.com and they fit the bill for me, maybe worth a look

[barretts]

Does anyone know what pitfalls the web based software on LETMC has? We have them coming down for the hard sell on Thursday and would like to approach any subject people have had problems with?

[CountrywideRL]

I had a demo of something called thebusiness.com a year ago...it may well still be free.

I chose something different in the end.

[abs]

Hello Poppy.

I am very interested in the package and would like to know more about it. I am also looking for someone in the letting business that would be a mentor to my new letting business that I started about 2 weeks ago. My company is Ignite properties and the web address is www.ignite-properties.co.uk

Would you be willing to be a mentor to me? i am willing to pay you a fee for your inconvienence.

regards
Abs Dhaliwal

[lak1979]

hello i am a landlord and i manage my own properties, i was thinking of getting carl but i have also checked cfp,rentman and let mc out. Let mc to expensive cfp is expensive rentman didnt bother with but carl seem good. i just wanted to know what carl is really like. does it save time and whats the accounting side like? please can sum1 tell me has i need to make a decision on what software to get.

[quarterday]

It depends.

Are you planning to be purely a letting agent or a letting agent acting on behalf of landlords involved in rent collection for assured shortholds and assured tenancies, or are you going to be handling block management, ground rent and service charge collection, insurance premia collection (where separate FSA compliant accounts are required) and do you think you need software that is designed for the nooks and crannies of commercial lettings in addition?

And do you need the capacity to provide accounting data for more than one property owner (ie do you hold properties in your sole name only, or do you have clients or limited companies holding certain assets)..... Do you need it to be ARLA ARMA or RICS compliant?

If you are at a very early stage of development you would be amazed how much you can get done with a magic marker, a white board calender on the wall and a set of old fashioned ledger books. Much easier to find entries than on computerised property management software!

[mind the gap]

It depends.
If you are at a very early stage of development you would be amazed how much you can get done with a magic marker, a white board calender on the wall and a set of old fashioned ledger books. Much easier to find entries than on computerised property management software!

Music to my ears.:) It is much quicker this way, as well.

Plus, you don't lose half your records when your computer crashes. Yes, I know you should back it all up every night, but very few people do.

[lak1979]

i am a landlord and i have just started up a LA and its getting a bit to much handling these all these tenants, i have to chop and change certain spreadsheets and copy and paste and its time consuming, so that is why i wanted to get a software to help time manage things. I would love to go back to baisics and use markers and whiteboards but it getting to much so that is why i wanted someone just to tell me if they are using carl what is the software like. So any1 who is using carl please reply back

[Paul_f]

I've seen several software packages and came across 'Gemini' the other day in an agent's office and thought it looked extremely good. See how it compares.

[mind the gap]

I've seen several software packages and came across 'Gemini' the other day in an agent's office and thought it looked extremely good. See how it compares.
How much does it cost?

[Paul_f]

How much does it cost?I have no idea, I was only looking at the system which I thought was a good one. Try the providers - I'm sure you can find it from Google. I think that value would be more appropriate than cost.

[mind the gap]

I have no idea, I was only looking at the system which I thought was a good one. Try the providers - I'm sure you can find it from Google. I think that value would be more appropriate than cost.

True, but ultimately that value will be based on what you can do with it and how efficient/user-friendly it is compared with quarterday's suggestion of ledgers, etc., and with its cost to buy/run.

In my admittedly limited experience of software programmes in other fields, I have found them to be disappointing value. Is seems ICT programmers develop these things in isolation from the people who will use them, so they never do quite what you want/expect them to and in some cases ti actuyally takes you longer to use them than doing it manually. Plus, they can cost a small fortune.

Actually, there would be some kind of karma in the average letting agent shelling out thousands for a software programme only to discover that he still had to do most of the work himself. At least he would know how the LLs on his books felt.:D

[Cliffyboy]

Being an agent of 12 years I have used many a system, be it supplied and/or bespokely made by myself.

Firstly, I strongly advise on using DEZREZ for forefront marketing, you seriously can not go wrong with this. It has Dezrez tools that allows you to enter a name, number, address etc etc and locates all its possibilities, with right button actions, such as calls, e-mails, feedback, confirmations and so on. This is only ideal for the marketing side.

Secondly, although I really detest this system, CFP. For accounting, it is the best one around, but absolute rubbish for marketing and a waste of money.

Hope that helps.

[Poppy35]

I use CFP but only for accounts side of things, printing off property lists etc

Its so bloody expensive though as you have to buy a licence for every user :eek:

[quarterday]

My software also is charged per User.

It was supplied by MUS aka "Multi User Systems".


There is quite a steep learning curve with computerisation of your systems and some software suppliers, such as ours have a habit of periodic upgrading the systems requirements in terms of memory and operating speed and there have been times when I have regretted doing away a white board and fully manual systems!

This system does however handle pretty much any and every property type and scenario and years since first installing it, we are still discovering feature applications that we didnt realise were available to us! It is true to say that this is primarily property managing agents' (or landlords') software rather than software for a lettings driven agent. Property Management Software is usually written in such a way that once your data is inputted, there is no easy way to transfer such to a different software system other than laboriously should you decide to switch to one of the other systems. Venus fly trap technology? Conversely one would admit that there has been reasonable back up, ultimately paid for by way of an annual subscription; and occasions where the software company have provided additional training where the problem has been that we haven't understood how to get from A to B.

I cant really say whether its "good" or "bad" because I've got nothing with which to compare it with. But it does break down much much more rarely than was the case when we first bought the system, then running on DOS, and in those far off sunny days before even the "millenium bug" had been dreamed up as a money making scam by our latterday pirates, the software purveyors..

[Richard Whiltonman]

Hi chaps, great forum. Can anyone advise on a database that can keep a record of 20 addresses and the tenants, rent, term ect ... nothing too special just a simple database really?

thanks
:p

[jeffrey]

See this (rather long!) existing thread: http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=19655&highlight=software

[voltarei]

Unfortunately the LetMC software does not do what it should.
There is no option to have a studio apartment, unless you allocate at least one bedroom.
Studio apartments do not have bedrooms, so having to advertise a property with a bedroom when it doesn't have one is unacceptable.
They will also tell you that they can transfer your current data across to their system. This is not as good as it seems, and only half the data will go across, the other half will need manually inputting.

LetMC promise a lot, and pride themselves in the customer care, however when it comes down to it they do not deliver.
I would choose another system or make sure you ask very detailed questions to ensure it meets your needs.

[Sportingdad]

I use CFP but only for accounts side of things, printing off property lists etc

Its so bloody expensive though as you have to buy a licence for every user :eek:

+1, it does what it says on the box, but the expensive support is like getting hold of someone at microsoft-wait an hour and leave a message for someone to return your call in a day or two.

Unfortunatley changing is difficult, I just wished I had studied the market more.

[rolie]

I have just recently started my estate agency and wish to knw the appx cost to design website -Can any membere suggest or recommend us a good,reasonable and reliable letting website designer ?

as there are various letting software products available in market, can anyone suggest me the best and most reasonable and efficient software available in market? Should i go for software which can be downloaded on computer and which are i understd are less costly or go for online portals ones which are expensive but worth awhile - which do you think would be better ?

You help and inputs in this matter would be highly appreciated.

[Paul_f]

It's normal to have a website before you open for business I would have thought!

[jrsteeve]

My thoughts are with any potential clients with the spelling, punctuation and grammar skills shown above.

[LesleyAnne]

My thoughts are with any potential clients with the spelling, punctuation and grammar skills shown above.

In my experience, sadly none of the above are prereqisite qualifications of an Estate Agent!

[jeffrey]

In my experience, sadly none of the above are** prereqisite^^ qualifications of an Estate Agent!
** should be 'is'.
^^ should be 'prereqUisite'.

[LesleyAnne]

** should be 'is'.
^^ should be 'prereqUisite'.

Yes, sorry - apologoes four my earllier typong errar!

[jeffrey]

Forgiven; I always triple-check corrective posts!

[pjt]

Hello
Not sure if this is the correct forum for this but I cant see anywhere more appropriate.
Just starting out and was looking into using some Property Management Software to manage my portfolio.

Does anyone have any recommendations\advice of particular tools?

Cheers

Paul

[mind the gap]

Hello
Not sure if this is the correct forum for this but I cant see anywhere more appropriate.
Just starting out and was looking into using some Property Management Software to manage my portfolio.

Does anyone have any recommendations\advice of particular tools?

Cheers

Paul

Yes. Don't bother with the software, go straight for the hardware.

Notebook. Calculator. Pencils. Hammer. Plunger. Set of screwdrivers, inc. electrical one. Drill and rawlplugs. Box of Polyfilla. Mole grips. Tape measure.

[thesaint]

How many properties?

[pjt]

At the moment 1, but this will grow.
Bit of a techie so always looking for new software to play with if I'm being honest.

[Phlash]

I have done a fair amount of research on letting agent software, in terms of reading and preliminary trials on a couple.

Does anyone here have a favourite that they use, or wished they use?

I have concentrated my investigations on CFPwinMan and letmc which operate differently in terms of online access etc. Letmc appears good for use in multiple office scenarios, in which we would want to set people up in other locations. I get the impression that CFP is more robust and established - also as a member of ICAEW I like the idea that the software is approved by them for accounting purposes.

Would be interested to hear people's thoughts...

[malik60]

Hi Guys, my 2 cents...

In my opinion before buying a property software we first need to establish if you want to go for an online software (internet based) or desktop software (installed on your computer), in my case I went for online option as this has many benefits e.g. I can access software from anywhere (even from my iphone), no hardware/networking requirements, all we need is a reasonable PC with internet access cutting down cost of hardware/network maintenance...

I looked into many options, letmc, vebra live, Gnomen etc and went for Gnomen PMS What I like about gnomen is its very easy to use, their training was very comprehensive and they have an excellent support section on their website with video tutorials, courses etc...
It has sales, lettings, accounts, management all in one package so whole office use just one software
Integrated website with a content management system (excellent feature if you have a website)
Very friendly and helpful support team
And best of all its price... £650 set up including a website and £49 a month...

I suggest you request a demo and see for yourself if it suits your needs, in my case it fits perfectly...

here's the link gnomen.co.uk

[RMProperty]

We have been using this software for a while now and have had no problems at all... I can't believe the price for everything it does!!

It even helps me with all my contracts, along with company details, contractors, landlords management, even tenenat and property management, down to fault reports etc so much for a small price.. was a diamond find.. even yep there is more the help is brilliant, if I get stuck they are there to help me!

Give them a try....
Oh see that we are new so not allowed to put a link up.... well if you go to ebay and type in Property Lettings & Management Database Software you will find the software that we use. The photo is of 4 or 5 blue boxes.

Give it a go... We have no complaints.. even networks it for us.

[n_easy]

I came across the website property hawk with a unique feature to help manage a portfolio showing cash flows, expenses, tenants, rent due dates etc and it seems to be very useful.

1. Has anyone used this feature on this website?
2. Does anybody know of any fully fledged pieces of software specifically for property?
3. If none of the above, how you do manage your portfolio?

[mind the gap]

I came across the website property hawk with a unique feature to help manage a portfolio showing cash flows, expenses, tenants, rent due dates etc and it seems to be very useful.

1. Has anyone used this feature on this website?
2. Does anybody know of any fully fledged pieces of software specifically for property?
3. If none of the above, how you do manage your portfolio?
1. No
2. Yes, but they are generally poor value for money.
3. Yes. It's called a pen, paper and ruler. You create columns for cash in, cash out, tenants, rent due dates, etc. Or, if you're hell bent on using a computer, you can use an Excel spreadsheet.

[midlandslandlord]

There is Landlord's Property Manager, which is also available free or discounted to RLA members.

http://www.propertyportfoliosoftware.co.uk/

It has various financial diddly bits that may meet your needs, and there is a 90 day money back option.

ML

[Moderator1]

This thread consolidates several others all dealing with the same basic issues.

[Lettingsrus]

Hi all

New to the forum but we've just signed up with Jupix, an online package with a free migration from our old cfp, it's also pay monthly too which was good for us.

Couldn't stand CFP, the marketing wasn't great but this appears to be a lot easier

Dave

[Lettingsrus]

Hello
Not sure if this is the correct forum for this but I cant see anywhere more appropriate.
Just starting out and was looking into using some Property Management Software to manage my portfolio.

Does anyone have any recommendations\advice of particular tools?

Cheers

Paul

Hi Paul, give jupix a call, works well for me