Hemlane for Independent Landlords

In-Depth Review

Hemlane sits in a specific slice of the property management software market: independent landlords who want to stay self-managing but need tools to stay organized and occasional in-person help they cannot always provide themselves.

The platform has been around since 2015 and has built its product around one honest observation — self-managing landlords do not struggle with wanting to manage their properties. They struggle with the parts that require physical presence (showings, inspections) and the administrative tasks that pile up when handled by text message and spreadsheet.

What Hemlane Actually Does

The software side covers the core administrative loop. You enter a vacancy, it syndicates to Zillow, Trulia, Hotpads, and a handful of other rental sites. Applicants apply online, and you can order credit, background, and eviction reports without leaving the platform. Once a tenant is placed, rent collection moves online via ACH. Maintenance requests come in through a tenant portal instead of a 10pm text.

None of these features are technically differentiated from other platforms in this space. The execution is solid and the free tier makes them accessible to a first-time landlord who is not ready to pay $55-$300 per month for a full platform.

The actual differentiator is the local agent network. For landlords who do not live near their rental property, or who simply cannot be available to run showings on a Tuesday afternoon, Hemlane connects them to local real estate agents who handle in-person tasks at per-event pricing. A showing might run $50-$100. A move-in inspection might be similar. Compare that to the 8-10% of monthly rent a traditional management company takes, and the math favors Hemlane for landlords whose properties do not have constant vacancy or inspection needs.

Pricing Reality

The free tier covers one unit with full access to the core features. For most landlords, the step up to the paid Essential tier is driven by having multiple units rather than needing premium features. Pricing for the Complete tier, which includes agent network access, varies and should be confirmed directly — agent fees stack on top of the monthly software cost, and the total can approach traditional management costs if you are running frequent showings.

Before committing to Complete, estimate your actual in-person task frequency. A stable rental with long-term tenants might need two showings per year and one annual inspection — that is a handful of per-event fees. A property with high turnover could make the math less favorable.

Who This Fits

Hemlane works for independent landlords managing one to fifteen residential units, particularly those who own property out of state or in a different city. It also makes sense as a starting platform for new landlords who want to get organized without a large monthly commitment.

It is not built for third-party property managers who handle portfolios for multiple owners and need trust accounting, owner financial statements, and 1099 processing. There is no general ledger. It is also not a fit for commercial properties or larger residential portfolios — the platform does not have the reporting depth, maintenance cost controls, or API flexibility that managers above 20-30 units typically need.

One Thing to Test Before Committing

Before relying on the agent network, confirm coverage in your specific market. Enter your property address during signup and verify that local agents are available and have capacity for showings in your area. Coverage in major metros like Chicago, Denver, or Atlanta is generally solid. Smaller cities and rural markets are less consistent, and finding out the network is thin after you have already listed a vacancy is a problem with a direct cost.