Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create an account?

Creating an account is simple:

1. Click the "Sign Up" button on the homepage
2. Enter your email address and create a secure password
3. Verify your email address by clicking the link we send you
4. Complete your profile to start using RoomUnicorn

Is RoomUnicorn free to use?

RoomUnicorn offers a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. After your trial, plans start at $20/month for unlimited properties. No credit card required to start your trial.

How do I update my profile information?

You can update your profile anytime:

1. Go to your Account Settings from the user menu
2. Edit your profile information
3. Click "Save Changes" to update your profile

How do I change my password?

To change your password:

1. Go to Account Settings
2. Click on the "Change Password" section
3. Enter your current password and new password
4. Click "Update Password"

Can I delete my account?

Yes, you can delete your account at any time. Go to Account Settings and look for the account deletion option. This action is permanent and cannot be undone.

How do I add a property?

Adding a property is easy:

1. Navigate to the Properties section
2. Click "Add Property"
3. Fill in property details (address, bedrooms, rent, etc.)
4. Click "Save" to add the property

How do I add a tenant?

To add a tenant:

1. Go to the Tenants section
2. Click "Add Tenant"
3. Enter tenant information and lease details
4. Click "Save" to create the tenant record

How do I track rent payments?

RoomUnicorn makes rent collection effortless. Generate payment links and send them to tenants via email. Tenants pay securely through Stripe (ACH or card), and payments are automatically tracked. You can also record manual payments if needed.

How do I connect Stripe to collect rent?

Connecting Stripe enables online rent collection:

1. Go to your Properties or Payments page
2. Click the "Connect Stripe" button in the warning banner
3. Follow the Stripe Connect onboarding process
4. Complete your business information and bank account details
5. Once approved, you can start collecting rent online

Note: RoomUnicorn uses Stripe Connect to process payments directly to your bank account. We never hold your rent money.

How do I send a payment link to my tenant?

Sending payment links is quick and easy:

1. Go to the Payments page
2. Find the payment you want to collect
3. Click the "Email" button to generate a secure payment link
4. The link is automatically sent to your tenant's email
5. Tenants can pay via credit card, debit card, or ACH bank transfer

Payment links are valid for 30 days and can be resent as needed. You can also copy the link to share it directly.

How do late fees work?

RoomUnicorn automates late fee management:

• Create policies: Go to Late Fees and create reusable policies (flat fee or percentage)
• Set grace periods: Define how many days after the due date before fees apply
• Automatic application: Late fees are automatically applied daily at 1:00am for overdue payments
• Email notifications: Tenants receive automatic emails when late fees are applied
• Property/Unit level: Assign policies at the property level with optional unit overrides

Example: A 5% late fee with a 5-day grace period on $1,000 rent means a $50 fee is added on day 6 if unpaid.

What if a payment fails?

If a tenant's payment fails:

• You'll receive a notification about the failed payment
• The payment remains marked as "Expected" or "Overdue" in the system
• You can send a reminder email to the tenant
• The tenant can try again with a different payment method
• You can also record a manual payment if they pay by check or cash

Common reasons for failures: insufficient funds, expired card, incorrect bank details, or bank rejections.

How much does Stripe charge for payments?

Stripe's standard processing fees apply:

• ACH bank transfer: 0.8% per transaction (recommended for rent)
• Credit/Debit card: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction

These fees are typically passed to tenants at checkout. RoomUnicorn doesn't charge any additional payment processing fees.

Can tenants pay without creating an account?

Yes! Tenants don't need a RoomUnicorn account to pay rent. They simply click the payment link you send them, and they're taken to a secure payment page where they can pay instantly with Stripe Checkout. No login required.

How do I export tax reports (Schedule E & 1099)?

RoomUnicorn generates IRS-ready tax reports:

1. Navigate to the Reports page from the main menu
2. For Schedule E: Select the tax year and property, then click "Download CSV"
3. For 1099-NEC: View vendors with $600+ payments and download the CSV
4. Share the CSV files with your accountant or import into tax software

Schedule E shows rental income and IRS expense categories. 1099-NEC lists contractor payments that require filing. Both reports are filtered by tax year for easy filing.

What expense categories are available?

RoomUnicorn uses IRS-compliant expense categories:

• Advertising & Marketing
• Travel & Auto
• Supplies
• Insurance
• Legal & Professional Fees
• Management Fees
• Mortgage Interest
• Repairs & Maintenance
• Property Tax
• Utilities
• Depreciation
• HOA Fees
• Landscaping & Snow Removal
• Other

Each expense can be marked as tax-deductible and linked to a specific property and vendor.

How do I track vendor payments for 1099s?

Tracking vendors for tax reporting:

1. Go to the Vendors page and add your contractors/vendors
2. Include their name, EIN (tax ID), and address
3. Mark "Requires 1099" if they're independent contractors
4. Link expenses to these vendors when recording costs
5. At year-end, generate the 1099-NEC report to see all vendors with $600+ payments

The system automatically calculates totals and warns you about missing EINs or addresses needed for filing.

Is my information safe?

Yes, we take your privacy seriously. RoomUnicorn uses industry-standard encryption and secure data storage to protect your account and documents. Only you can access your property and tenant data.

How do I control my data?

You have full control over your information in RoomUnicorn. You can update or delete your properties, tenants, and documents at any time. For account deletion or data export, contact our support team.

The site is loading slowly. What should I do?

Try these troubleshooting steps:

• Refresh your browser page
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Try using a different browser
• Check your internet connection
• Contact support if the issue persists

I'm not receiving email notifications. What's wrong?

Check these common issues:

• Check your spam/junk folder
• Verify your email address in Account Settings
• Make sure notifications are enabled in your settings
• Add our domain to your email whitelist

What browsers are supported?

We support all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For the best experience, please use the latest version of your preferred browser.