Accounting for Rental Properties: What Landlords and Property Managers Use (2026)

See how rental owners and property managers are handling accounting in 2026, from integrated property management systems to QuickBooks and spreadsheets. This report breaks down what changes as portfolios grow and what tools operators rely on at each stage.

Inside you'll learn:

• How portfolio size influences whether landlords use integrated property management accounting, QuickBooks, or spreadsheets
• When rental owners typically shift to more professional accounting workflows and CPA collaboration
• What accounting setup makes the most sense for small landlords, growing portfolios, and larger operators

Key Takeaways:

• Small landlords prefer built-in tools: 85% of single-unit owners rely on integrated property management accounting systems.
• QuickBooks becomes more common as portfolios grow: Usage increases from about 1% for single-unit owners to 30% for those managing 21–100 units.
• Operational complexity drives accounting changes: Larger portfolios are more likely to adopt professional accounting workflows and work with a CPA.
• Spreadsheets still remain part of the mix: More than a quarter of owners managing 21–100 units continue using spreadsheets alongside other systems.