What software can a Nigerian landlord use to manage tenants and rent?
Short answer
A landlord with a few flats needs four things: a record of who owes what, a receipt for every payment, a reminder before rent falls due, and the tenancy documents. Ledge is property management software built in Lagos that does all four. The Free plan covers up to 5 units at ₦0, and paid plans start at ₦5,000 a month for up to 15 units.
The method
How to run a small portfolio without a spreadsheet
Put every tenancy on record
Tenant, unit, start date, rent, how often it is paid (yearly, quarterly or monthly) and the caution deposit. Most disputes start with a term nobody wrote down.
Decide how rent is paid
One bank account for rent, or online payment. Mixing rent with personal money is how a landlord loses track of who has paid.
Receipt every payment
A dated, numbered receipt that says what period the money covers. In Lagos the Tenancy Law 2011 requires one.
Remind before the due date
Yearly rent needs a reminder weeks ahead, not the day before. A tenant who has to find a year's rent needs time.
Keep the documents with the tenancy
The tenancy agreement, every receipt and every notice, filed against the tenant they belong to.
With Ledge
What Ledge does, and what it leaves to you
Ledge does
- Keeps properties, units, tenants and leases, with rent paid yearly, quarterly or monthly.
- Issues a numbered PDF receipt when a payment is recorded as paid, and emails it to the tenant.
- Sends the tenant one reminder email before each charge is due (7 days by default, at least 30 for yearly rent) and one overdue notice after.
- Gives each tenant a portal to see what they owe, what they have paid, download receipts and report repairs.
- Lets tenants pay online through Paystack once you switch online payments on. Ledge takes no share of the rent.
- Drafts the tenancy agreement with the parties and premises filled in from the record (Starter and up).
- Sends you a weekly email on Mondays, so you do not have to log in to know where things stand.
You still
- Switch online payments on and add your bank account before tenants can pay through Paystack. Until then, you record transfers and cash yourself.
- Set the dates on any notice. Ledge does not work out notice periods.
- Send WhatsApp reminders yourself: Ledge writes the message, you tap send.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a free property management app for landlords in Nigeria?
- Yes. Ledge has a Free plan for up to 5 units at ₦0, with tenancy records, receipts, reminders and the tenant portal. Paid plans start at ₦5,000 a month for up to 15 units.
- Can I manage my property in Nigeria from abroad?
- Yes. Ledge runs in a web browser, so you can see who has paid, issue receipts and send reminders from anywhere. When online payments are on, tenants pay through Paystack and the money settles to the Nigerian bank account you add.
- Do my tenants need to download an app?
- No. The tenant portal opens in a phone's web browser. Tenants can see what they owe, pay online when you have switched that on, download receipts and report repairs.
- Does Ledge take a cut of the rent?
- No. Ledge charges a monthly plan price by number of units. Rent paid online goes through Paystack to your bank account, and Paystack's own transaction fees apply.
More answers
- How do I record rent and issue rent receipts in Nigeria?Rent receipts and records
- How do I keep track of which tenants owe rent?Tracking rent arrears
- What documents does a landlord in Nigeria need for a tenancy?Tenancy documents
- How should a property manager report to landlords in Nigeria?Owner statements
- How do Nigerian estates collect service charge and levies?Estate service charge
- How do estate gate passes work without an app?Estate gate passes
Run your rentals on Ledge
Built in Lagos for Nigerian practice: naira pricing, rent paid yearly, quarterly or monthly, and Paystack for online payments.