Plain-English answers to the accounting questions landlords actually ask.
A plain-English guide to landlord accounting — the chart of accounts, income and expenses, the key reports, and why a real ledger beats a spreadsheet.
Read guideThe difference between cash and accrual accounting for landlords, when each makes sense, and why being able to switch between them matters.
Read guideA landlord's overview of Schedule E rental reporting and 1099s for vendors and owners — what they are, what you need to track, and how to be ready.
Read guideInsurance, management fees, and shared utilities rarely belong to one property. Here's how to split them so each property's P&L stays accurate.
Read guideWhat a capitalization (cap) rate is, the simple formula to calculate it, what counts as a good cap rate, and what it leaves out — in plain landlord terms.
Read guideNOI, cash-on-cash return, cap rate, gross rent multiplier, DSCR and the 1% rule — what each metric means, how to calculate it, and when to use it.
Read guideA practical checklist for moving from DoorLoop to a new property management system without losing data or breaking your books mid-month.
Read guideThe rental property tax deductions landlords most often miss — from mortgage interest and depreciation to travel, repairs, and the pass-through deduction — plus how to keep books that survive an audit.
Read guideA security deposit isn't income — it's money you owe back. Here's how to record, hold, and return deposits correctly so your books and your state's trust-account rules both stay clean.
Read guideA simple, step-by-step guide to collecting rent online — setting up recurring payments and autopay, handling late fees, and finally getting paid on time without chasing checks.
Read guideWhat a tenant portal is, what it does for landlords and renters, and how to tell whether it's worth it — even if you only own one or two rental units.
Read guideNew landlord? A practical, no-jargon walkthrough of managing your first rental — collecting rent, handling maintenance, keeping records, and staying ready for tax time.
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