For military families, homeownership often means becoming a remote landlord. With frequent relocations due to duty station changes, service members may find themselves managing properties from across the country—or even overseas. This challenge leads to a critical question: How do you effectively manage a rental property from afar without sacrificing your peace of mind?
The answer lies in using the right tools. TurboTenant, a property management platform tailored for independent landlords, is making this process seamless. In this guide, we explore how TurboTenant helps military landlords gain confidence in managing their rentals remotely, ensuring consistent income while avoiding costly mistakes.
Why Confidence is Key in Remote Landlording
Confidence is the foundation of a successful rental business. Many military landlords hesitate to rent their homes after relocating due to concerns over property management, tenant screening, and maintenance coordination. However, as Harrison Stevens, VP of Marketing at TurboTenant, points out, the right technology can eliminate these worries by streamlining the entire process.
“The software can help build confidence for you to manage a property effectively without having to pay for a property manager,” says Harrison. “If you’re a great landlord, you’ll attract great tenants, and that leads to a successful rental business.”
TurboTenant helps landlords build this confidence through education, automation, and efficiency—allowing them to self-manage their properties with ease.
Key Challenges Military Landlords Face
1. Finding and Screening Tenants Remotely
Many military landlords struggle with finding reliable tenants. Some rely on word-of-mouth or social media posts, which can lead to unvetted tenants and potential payment issues.
Solution: TurboTenant’s listing syndication feature posts your rental property across major sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, and Redfin, ensuring maximum visibility. Once potential tenants apply, TurboTenant’s built-in screening tools perform background checks, credit checks, and eviction history reports, all accessible via an easy-to-use mobile app.
2. Collecting Rent and Enforcing Late Fees
Chasing tenants for rent payments can be stressful, especially from another state or country.
Solution: TurboTenant automates rent collection, ensuring payments go directly into your bank account. If a tenant is late, late fees are automatically applied, eliminating awkward conversations. Additionally, TurboTenant’s payment structure prevents tenants from partially paying rent to reset eviction timelines—a common legal loophole in some states.
3. Handling Maintenance Issues Remotely
Military landlords often worry about maintenance emergencies. A leaking pipe or broken HVAC system can be a nightmare to coordinate from afar.
Solution: TurboTenant’s maintenance request system allows tenants to submit issues online, complete with photos and descriptions. The platform also partners with vendors, such as Lula, to help landlords connect with trusted service professionals, ensuring that repairs are handled efficiently.
4. Ensuring Legal Compliance
Every state has its own landlord-tenant laws, making lease agreements complex.
Solution: TurboTenant’s lease agreement builder customizes lease contracts based on your state’s regulations, ensuring compliance and reducing legal risks. Their AI-powered system also reviews existing leases to highlight potential violations or areas for improvement.
Why TurboTenant is a Game-Changer for Military Landlords
1. Digital Record Keeping
Military members frequently relocate, making it easy to lose track of important rental documents. TurboTenant stores all lease agreements, tenant applications, and maintenance records in one secure place, accessible anytime from any device.
2. Condition Reports & Move-In Documentation
With frequent tenant turnover, documenting a property’s condition is crucial. TurboTenant’s digital condition report feature ensures that before-and-after photos are logged, protecting landlords from security deposit disputes.
3. Rent Reporting to Build Tenant Credit
Good tenants want to improve their credit scores. TurboTenant allows tenants to opt-in for rent reporting, rewarding responsible renters and incentivizing on-time payments.
4. Affordable Pricing for Landlords
TurboTenant offers a free plan where landlords can market properties and collect rent, with small fees paid by tenants. For $119 per year, landlords gain access to premium features like deeper background checks, waived rent collection fees, and automated bookkeeping—an affordable alternative to hiring a property manager.
How to Get Started with TurboTenant
If you’re a military landlord looking for an easier way to manage your rentals, TurboTenant is the all-in-one solution you need. Whether you’re stationed overseas or just across state lines, this platform ensures your rental business runs smoothly.
- Sign up for TurboTenant
- List Your Property – Use TurboTenant’s free listing syndication to attract quality tenants.
- Screen Tenants Effectively – Run background and credit checks directly from the platform.
- Automate Rent Collection – Get paid on time without chasing down tenants.
- Handle Maintenance with Ease – Streamline repair requests and connect with service providers.
- Ensure Legal Compliance – Generate state-specific leases and keep detailed records.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Rental Business
Being a military landlord doesn’t have to be stressful. With TurboTenant, you can confidently self-manage your rental properties from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re an accidental landlord or an intentional real estate investor, having the right tools in place ensures your rental business remains profitable, efficient, and hassle-free.
For more tips on military real estate investing and to access exclusive TurboTenant discounts, click here.
