The Unitly blog
Run your rentals like a pro
Practical, no-fluff guides for independent landlords, from screening and leases to rent, maintenance, and the books.
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22 of 22 · newest first- Getting started
How to find and finance your first rental
A practical, honest guide to picking your first rental property and the realistic ways to fund it, from house hacking to seller financing.
8 min read
- Finance
Landlord insurance: what it covers and why it matters
A plain-English guide to landlord insurance for small landlords: what it covers, what it does not, and why your tenants should carry renters insurance.
7 min read
- Getting started
How Unitly works: a step-by-step guide
A step-by-step walkthrough of how Unitly works, from creating your account to growing your portfolio, for property managers and tenants alike.
10 min read
Getting started - Operations
Stop losing maintenance requests in text messages
Maintenance over SMS has no status, no history, and no accountability. Here is a simple way to track requests from report to resolved.
4 min read
- Getting started
Free property management software for under 5 units
A practical, honest look at free property management software for small landlords: what free tiers include, what they gate, and what to watch for.
5 min read
- Operations
Tracking occupancy across a small portfolio at a glance
Occupancy decides whether the month pays for itself, and it is the hardest thing to see in a spreadsheet. Here is what an at-a-glance view should show.
4 min read
- Operations
Give tenants one place to reach you, not 9pm texts
Scattered texts, calls, and emails give you no record and no context. Here's the case for one message channel per unit, plus a tenant portal.
4 min read
- Operations
What every maintenance request should capture
A maintenance request is only as useful as the fields it captures. Here is what each request needs, and why every field matters for triage and accountability.
5 min read
- Operations
How to advertise a vacant unit and get good inquiries
A practical how-to for independent landlords on advertising a vacant unit: what a good listing needs, where to share the link, and how to handle inquiries.
5 min read
- Finance
A simple system for tracking rent due dates
Mental math and spreadsheet formulas quietly fail as your units grow. Here is a simple system for tracking rent due dates without the guesswork.
4 min read
- Leasing
Lease renewal reminders: when to send and what to say
A renewal reminder is easy to forget until a lease nearly ends. Here is when to send one (60-90 days out), what to include, and a template to copy.
4 min read
- Operations
Turning over a rental unit efficiently
A step-by-step guide to rental turnover: move-out inspections, cleaning, repairs, marketing, and practical ways to minimize costly vacancy days.
10 min read
- Getting started
5 signs you've outgrown spreadsheets for rentals
Spreadsheets work fine for a unit or two, then quietly turn into a second job. Here are five concrete signs it's time for a real system.
5 min read
- Finance
How and when to raise the rent
A balanced guide to deciding when and how much to raise rent, with market research, notice rules, retention, and how to communicate an increase.
10 min read
- Compliance
Fair housing basics for landlords
A plain-language introduction to fair housing: protected classes, where discrimination hides, consistency, and reasonable accommodations for landlords.
10 min read
- Operations
Move-in and move-out inspections done right
A practical guide to running thorough move-in and move-out inspections with photos, checklists, and documentation that ties cleanly to the deposit.
10 min read
- Finance
Landlord tax deductions and recordkeeping
A general overview of common rental deductions, depreciation basics, and recordkeeping habits that keep your finances organized and audit-ready.
10 min read
- Leasing
Essential clauses every lease should include
A clear breakdown of the essential clauses every residential lease should include and why each one protects both landlord and tenant.
10 min read
- Finance
Handling late rent payments professionally
How to prevent and handle late rent: set clear policies, use grace periods and fair late fees, communicate well, and escalate lawfully when needed.
10 min read
- Finance
A landlord's guide to security deposits
How to collect, hold, and return security deposits the right way, including lawful deductions, itemized statements, timelines, and avoiding disputes.
10 min read
- Finance
How to price a rental the right way
A practical guide to setting rent: research comps, weigh vacancy against income, factor in amenities and seasonality, and avoid overpricing.
10 min read
- Leasing
How to screen tenants thoroughly and fairly
A practical, step-by-step guide to screening rental applicants thoroughly and fairly, from application to references, while staying compliant.
10 min read
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