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Power in your pocket: The case for mobile property management
By Peter Altobelli, Vice President and General Manager, Yardi Canada Ltd.
With new supply and shifting demographics, property managers face pressure to deliver. So how can teams stay nimble and responsive when managing everything from leasing to maintenance?
It starts with mobile access—a dedicated app that extends your property management system at no extra cost.
A new landscape for rentals
According to Statistics Canada, the federal government plans to reduce immigration targets in 2025 to 395,000 new permanent residents. Meanwhile, over 81,000 Canadians left the country in 2024, the most since 2017. These shifts come alongside a rise in purpose-built rental construction, prompting established properties to find new ways to stay competitive. Mobile solutions offer one of the fastest paths to levelling the playing field.
In this environment, technology plays a starring role. A recent simplydbs survey revealed that 88 per cent of 20,000 tenants with access to a building app actively use it. The takeaway? Residents expect mobile convenience and property managers should be ready to deliver it.
Benefits that go beyond convenience
Mobile tools do more than offer flexibility. They help teams run tighter operations, improve communications, and deliver a better experience for everyone. With the right features, teams can stay connected, remove redundancies, and focus on digital marketing to grow (and not just manage) their business.
Save time on admin
Mobile access allows designated staff to manage unit tours or inspections, application or invoice approvals, maintenance requests, payments, and more, whether in the office, onsite or on the go. It also provides quick access to leasing details and vendor information, so teams spend less time juggling paperwork and more time on high-value work.
Enhanced visibility
Mobile apps ensure transparency and keep everyone aligned — from stakeholders and maintenance teams to property staff and residents. With real-time visibility into tasks, staff stay accountable and avoid duplicate data. Updates made in one place are reflected everywhere, supporting faster responses and reliable information across the board.
Enhance the resident experience
Mobile access isn’t just about making work
easier for staff—it gives residents greater control too. From digital lease signing and online rent payments to in-app messaging, self-service tools help renters stay connected without added strain on staff.
Where it makes the biggest difference
1. Rent and utility payments
Mobile apps let residents pay from anywhere, set up recurring payments, and even split charges based on roommate agreements. Additionally, access to real-time utility usage data supports more cost-efficient and sustainable decisions among renters, helping improve overall energy management across properties.
2. Maintenance and inspections
With mobile work order tools, staff can create and complete jobs, communicate with technicians, and update inspection records on the spot. They also get instant access to each unit’s repair history, making it easier to diagnose issues, make informed decisions, and confidently perform preventive maintenance.
3. Tenant communications
With in-app alerts, emails, and two-way texts, designated staff can send community-wide updates or respond to individual requests in real time. According to simplydbs, 87 per cent of renters expect a reply within 24 hours. Mobile apps help teams meet that expectation with timely, consistent communication.
Adopting a mobile-first mindset
The role of a property manager is more complex than ever, but the right tools make all the difference. Going mobile helps teams simplify routine processes, act on data, and deliver exceptional experiences to tenants. Whether managing a few buildings or scaling your business, mobile access gives you the flexibility to adapt and the confidence to grow. As you explore your options, be sure to check app store ratings and download volume—both are strong indicators of an app’s reliability and ease of use.
Want to see how mobile tools help your team do more from anywhere? Explore how we can support your journey at YardiBreeze.ca.