A Landlord's Month-End Checklist: Ten Jobs That Keep Your Portfolio Healthy

The last days of the month decide whether the next one starts cleanly. Here are ten jobs worth doing every time.

1. Confirm all payments are matched. Clear anything left unallocated.
2. Review arrears by age. Separate fresh arrears from long-standing ones, because they need different conversations.
3. Follow up the newest arrears first. A gentle reminder in the first week resolves most late payments.
4. Complete meter readings. Make sure water and electricity are billed for the right period.
5. Record expenses with receipts. Photograph receipts on the day, not at month end.
6. Close out maintenance jobs. Finished work should be marked complete with its cost.
7. Check upcoming lease ends and rent changes. Give tenants notice in good time.
8. Prepare owner statements. Collected, minus commission, minus expenses, with payouts noted.
9. Back up and export. Keep a copy of key reports outside your system.
10. Review the numbers. Collection rate, occupancy and arrears trend tell you where to focus next month.

Software can do much of this for you. Oxflare's analytics and owner statements are designed around exactly this routine.