Effective tenant communication is one of the biggest operational challenges for self-managed landlords. Late payment notices, maintenance requests, lease renewals, entry notices, and routine inspection reminders all need to be handled correctly under the Residential Tenancies Act. The right software makes this manageable.
What Tenant Communication Software Should Do
- Send automated rent reminder and overdue notices
- Accept and track maintenance requests with photos
- Issue compliant entry notices (24-hour minimum in VIC)
- Send lease renewal reminders with built-in templates
- Record all communications with timestamps (critical for VCAT)
- Allow tenants to submit requests via a tenant portal
Top Tools Compared
| Tool | Best For | Price/month | Tenant Portal | VCAT Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorted | Self-managed, 1-10 properties | Free-$15 | Yes | Basic |
| Snug | Tenant applications and onboarding | Free | Yes | No |
| Console Cloud | PM agencies | $45-$95 | Yes | Yes |
| PropertyMe | PM-managed portfolios | $35-$80 | Yes | Yes |
| Collings Landlord CRM | Self-managed with AI assistance | Coming 2026 | Yes | Yes |
The Collings Approach
The Collings self-managed landlord CRM will include automated tenant communication workflows, compliant notice templates for VIC and NSW, maintenance tracking with photo upload, and a full communication audit trail for VCAT. Join the waitlist at collings.com.au/portal
Manage your own rental, the smart way
Collings self-managed property management gives landlords the tools, automation and compliance support to manage their own rentals with confidence. Explore self-managed property management.
