Much has been written on ways to help landlords succeed. This blog post is not wholly different other than taking the view of how to help tenants, and the role technology can play. Happy tenants can make landlord lives easier. If there are tools to make tenant lives easier, then both landlords and tenants win. Here are a few ways tenants benefit from technology.
Time savings is probably the biggest benefit tenants receive from technology. Starting with a virtual tour of the rental property, tenants (and landlords) save time by eliminating the need to meet in person. Landlords can create a simple video and upload it among other pictures of the rental property on online listing sites like Zillow.
Moving on to the lease, electronic signatures are another way tenants benefit from technology. Also known as esignatures, electronic signatures automate a traditionally manual process. They eliminate the need to meet in person to sign paper. In person meetings consume a lot of time. Electronic signature software automates the signing process and saves everyone time. For example, with eSignToday, you simply upload your document (the lease) and then email it to each person who needs to sign it. Each person can sign the lease on their phone wherever they are. A fully signed document where all signatures appear on the last page is available to everyone who has signed it.
A final example on how tenants benefit from technology is with smart appliances. For example, landlords can install keyless locks on their rental property. With keyless locks, tenants do not have to keep track of a key. Depending on the type of lock, tenants can use a code or their smartphone to open and lock doors.