Alternatives
OpenRent Alternative - Social Home
Get comprehensive post-let support, inspection workflows, and safeguarding tools that OpenRent's DIY landlord focus cannot provide.
7 min read
Beginner
Description
# OpenRent Alternative - Social Home
## Overview
OpenRent is a popular DIY landlord platform, offering tenant referencing, contract generation, and basic property advertising. However, for social housing providers and professional property managers, OpenRent's limited post-let support, inspection tools, and safeguarding capabilities create significant gaps in resident management.
## Why Social Home is a Better Alternative
### OpenRent's Limitations
OpenRent focuses on **pre-let services** but provides limited support for:
- **Post-let management** - No ongoing tenant support or case file tracking
- **Inspection workflows** - No automated scheduling or evidence capture
- **Safeguarding tools** - No case file system for vulnerable residents
- **Maintenance coordination** - Basic work order tracking, limited contractor management
- **Compliance tracking** - Manual HMO licence and certificate management
- **Resident journeys** - No guided workflows for onboarding or support
### What Social Home Provides
Social Home offers **complete tenant lifecycle management**:
#### ✅ Post-Let Support
- **Ongoing tenant management** - Complete tenant records with communication history
- **Case file system** - Track support needs, safeguarding concerns, and interventions
- **Resident journeys** - Guided workflows for onboarding, inspections, and move-outs
#### ✅ Inspection Workflows
- **Automated scheduling** - Never miss an inspection appointment
- **Evidence capture** - Photos, notes, and compliance checks all in one place
- **Follow-up actions** - Automatic work orders for identified issues
#### ✅ Safeguarding Tools
- **Case file tracking** - Centralised records for vulnerable residents
- **Support worker coordination** - Connect with social workers and care providers
- **Risk assessment** - Early indicators of tenant support needs
#### ✅ Maintenance & Compliance
- **Work order management** - Complete repair tracking from report to completion
- **Contractor directory** - Find verified service providers
- **Compliance tracking** - HMO licences, safety certificates, regulatory requirements
## Feature Comparison
| Feature | OpenRent | Social Home |
|---------|----------|-------------|
| Tenant referencing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Contract generation | ✅ | ✅ |
| Property advertising | ✅ | ✅ |
| Post-let management | Limited | ✅ Comprehensive |
| Inspection workflows | ❌ | ✅ |
| Safeguarding tools | ❌ | ✅ |
| Case file system | ❌ | ✅ |
| Maintenance coordination | Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| Compliance tracking | Manual | ✅ Automated |
| Resident journeys | ❌ | ✅ |
## Migration Guide
### Step 1: Export Your Data
Export existing tenant and property information from OpenRent:
1. **Tenant records** - Download tenant contact details and tenancy history
2. **Property data** - Export property details and room information
3. **Contract information** - Save tenancy agreements and important documents
### Step 2: Import to Social Home
Use Social Home's bulk upload tools:
1. **Property import** - Upload all properties and rooms
2. **Tenant migration** - Import tenant records with their history
3. **Document storage** - Upload contracts and compliance documents
### Step 3: Configure Workflows
Set up Social Home for your operations:
1. **Resident journeys** - Configure onboarding and inspection workflows
2. **Safeguarding processes** - Set up case file templates and support worker contacts
3. **Maintenance processes** - Configure work order templates and contractor assignments
### Step 4: Team Training
Train your team on Social Home's advanced features:
1. **Case file management** - Tracking vulnerable residents and support needs
2. **Inspection workflows** - Scheduling, evidence capture, and follow-up actions
3. **Maintenance coordination** - Creating work orders and managing contractors
## Key Advantages
### For Social Housing Providers
- **Safeguarding support** - Case file system tracks vulnerable residents
- **Post-let management** - Complete tenant support throughout tenancy
- **Compliance confidence** - Automated tracking of HMO licences and safety certificates
### For Property Managers
- **Inspection efficiency** - Automated scheduling and evidence capture
- **Maintenance coordination** - Faster work order processing
- **Resident wellbeing** - Early indicators of support needs
### For Housing Associations
- **Regulatory compliance** - HMO, fire safety, and housing standards all tracked
- **Support worker integration** - Connect with social workers and care providers
- **Portfolio insights** - Understand which properties need more support
## Frequently Asked Questions
### Can I still use OpenRent for referencing?
Yes. Social Home includes tenant referencing, but you can continue using OpenRent for referencing and Social Home for complete management.
### How does Social Home handle contracts?
Social Home includes contract generation and storage. You can import existing OpenRent contracts or generate new ones within Social Home.
### What about my existing OpenRent tenancies?
You can migrate all existing tenancies to Social Home. Import tenant records, property data, and contracts to get started.
## Next Steps
1. **Explore the comparison page** - See how Social Home compares: [/compare](/compare)
2. **Read getting started guide** - Learn the basics: [/resources/getting-started](/resources/getting-started)
3. **Contact our team** - Discuss your needs: [/contact](/contact)
## Related Resources
- [Getting Started Guide](/resources/getting-started) - Platform basics
- [Manage Gateway Guide](/resources/manage-gateway) - Portfolio management
- [Service Providers Directory](/resources/service-providers-directory) - Find contractors
- [Compare All Alternatives](/compare) - See all competitor comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Social Home with OpenRent?
Yes, you can use OpenRent for tenant referencing and contract generation, then use Social Home for complete post-let management, inspections, and safeguarding support.
Does Social Home include tenant referencing?
Yes, Social Home includes tenant referencing capabilities. You can also continue using OpenRent for referencing while using Social Home for management.
Helpfulness
Related guides
- Getting started with Social Home
A quick tour of the platform: signing in, browsing listings, and accessing your dashboard.
- Manage property gateway
Jump into portfolio, tenants, and maintenance from a single overview.
- Service Providers Directory
Find trusted housing and property professionals across the UK. From emergency plumbers to housing law specialists.
