March 24, 2025
The following are the Latchel updates for the week of March 24, 2025.
New Features
- Upcoming Feature Release: Inspection Checklists
You’ve told us there’s a lot of maintenance work that’s challenging to manage in Latchel, and we’ve heard you loud and clear! We’re excited to announce the upcoming release of our Inspection Checklists! This tool is designed to streamline property inspections, ensuring every detail is addressed before a new resident moves in and that the owner’s property is well-maintained.
Key Features:
- Thorough Evaluations: Ensure every item is examined with customizable checklists tailored to your property’s unique needs.
- Effective Communication: Technicians can document each inspection with notes and photos, helping you visualize and address maintenance needs swiftly.
- Easy Management: Track the inspection process in real-time, allowing you to quickly review results and prioritize necessary repairs or cleaning tasks.
We invite you to be among the first to experience this new feature. Click the button below to sign up for early access and help us shape the future of inspections in Latchel.
- Restricted Resident Views
Residents now only see the files they upload to a work order. Previously, they had access to all work order files, which raised privacy concerns for some property managers. This update ensures greater control and confidentiality.
Resolved Bugs
Work Order Sync Fixes - Update to Version 3.0.17
Great news! The latest update (Version 3.0.17) of the Latchel Data Sync extension has resolved work order sync issues between Latchel and AppFolio.
Fixes in Version 3.0.17:
- Duplicate work orders no longer created in Latchel and AppFolio.
- Latchel-created work orders now sync into AppFolio with proper assignments.
- Work orders now sync their Complete/Canceled status correctly between platforms.
Enjoy seamless and accurate updates without interruptions by downloading the newest version.
How to Install the Latchel Data Sync Extension
Follow these steps to download and install the Latchel Data Sync extension on your computer.
Key Process Changes
- Handling Work Orders Awaiting Property Manager Action
We’ve updated our standard operating procedures to provide clear guidelines for handling work orders awaiting Property Manager (PM) action. These new steps ensure a more organized and responsive approach when:
- A resident contacts us after troubleshooting and the work order needs to proceed.
- A service provider checks if a job is still available after we’ve forwarded the work order to the PM.
In both cases, we will now escalate the situation back to the PM before proceeding. This prevents double dispatches and avoids any conflicting actions the PM may have initiated. We’re committed to ensuring smooth and efficient operations for both you and your residents.
- Improved Communication Audits
We’ve added a check to catch communication issues from incorrect phone numbers, making sure everyone gets important work order updates. Before, we only flagged undelivered texts, but now we also verify if a number can receive SMS and find other ways to reach people if needed. This makes notifications more reliable and reduces missed updates.
Resident Benefits
Optional Benefits Update
We’re excited to announce a new feature for clients using our optional benefits product on an integration. This feature allows you to automatically disable newly created properties, so your team doesn’t have to proactively update each new property in Latchel when you acquire them.
This enhancement streamlines your operations and gives you more time to focus on your growing portfolio.
Want to learn more about Optional Benefits?
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