How to choose property management software in Kenya: a 10-point checklist
Many property systems are built for other countries. These ten questions separate software that fits how Kenyan landlords actually work from software that merely looks good in a demo.
The checklist
- M-Pesa, bank and cash all handled. Can you record each and see the M-Pesa code on the receipt?
- Automatic monthly billing. Rent should appear for every tenant without you re-entering it.
- SMS built in, in English and Kiswahili, for reminders and confirmations. What does each SMS cost?
- Receipts and statements with your business name on them.
- Water and electricity billing from meter readings, with fixed charges.
- Tax-ready reports, including the monthly rent total for MRI.
- A tenant portal so tenants can see their own balance and receipts, and only their own.
- Several buildings and tenants with more than one house without workarounds.
- Safe records. Is each landlord’s data kept separate? Are payments reversed rather than edited or deleted, so the books always add up?
- Fair pricing and a real trial, with a person you can reach when something goes wrong.
Red flags
- No way to export or print your own records.
- Pricing that is hidden until after sign-up.
- Only works well on a desktop.
- Payments that can be deleted without a trace.
How to run a fair trial
Do not test with fake data. Put one real building in for a month, record real payments, send real reminders and file your MRI from its report. If it saves you time in month one, it will keep doing so.
See how Kodi answers each point in all features.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pick the cheapest software?
Not on price alone. Count the hours it saves and the arrears it prevents. A cheap tool that does not handle M-Pesa will cost you more in time.
Do I need an app from the Play Store?
Not necessarily. A good web app works on any phone browser and can be added to the home screen. Check that it is fast on mobile data.
Want to test Kodi against this checklist? It is free for 3 months with every feature on, no card needed. See what Kodi does.
On the next page, tap “New here? Create an account”. All you need is your phone number — no card or payment to start.