HAUS vs Excel, notebooks and WhatsApp groups for running a PG
A spreadsheet is free and flexible. It breaks down once you have more tenants than you can remember.
Most PGs in India still run on a notebook, an Excel or Google Sheet and a WhatsApp group. That works for a handful of beds. HAUS is free PG software for up to 15 beds that replaces all three: a bed map, a monthly rent roll, and an app where residents pay you by UPI, upload KYC and raise issues.
What changes when you switch
| Task | Notebook, Excel and WhatsApp | HAUS |
|---|---|---|
| Who has paid this month | Scroll the sheet, cross-check UPI messages | Rent roll shows paid, part-paid and overdue |
| Rent reminders | Type each message by hand | One tap writes the WhatsApp message with the amount |
| KYC documents | Photos in your phone gallery | Uploaded by the tenant, Aadhaar stored masked |
| Complaints | Lost in the WhatsApp group | Tickets with photos, an assignee and a status |
| Agreements | Printed, signed, filed | Generated and e-signed, PDF for both |
| Move-out deposit | Worked out by hand | Notice, dues and refund calculated for you |
| Cost | Free | Free up to 15 beds |
When a spreadsheet is enough
- You have a few beds, the same long-term tenants and you collect rent in person.
- You don't need tenant KYC, agreements or a complaint log.
When it's time to switch
- You chase the same people every month and lose track of part payments.
- Complaints get buried in group chats.
- You can't say off-hand which beds free up next month.
Try HAUS with sample data first: one click fills a demo PG with rooms, tenants and payments so you can see it working before you add your own.
Everything HAUS does today
- Bed map: Every property, floor, room and bed, with who is where and which beds are vacant.
- Rent roll: Month-by-month dues per tenant, partial payments, and charges such as electricity, maintenance or meals.
- UPI payments to you: Residents pay your own UPI ID or QR code. HAUS never holds the money and takes no commission. They add the UPI reference, you confirm it, and an email receipt goes out.
- Tenant web app: No download. Residents log in with Google or a one-time link, see their dues, pay, upload KYC, raise issues and sign their agreement.
- KYC documents: Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, voter ID or college ID. Aadhaar is stored masked, with only the last 4 digits kept.
- Rent agreements: Leave & licence agreements generated from the tenant's details, signed by you, then e-signed by the tenant with a drawn signature and an email code. Both get the PDF.
- Issue tracker: Residents raise issues with photos. You assign them to staff, move them to in progress and mark them fixed.
- Announcements: Post to one property or all of them. Residents see it in their app and can get it by email.
- Move-out settlement: Residents request move-out in the app. HAUS works out notice, pending dues and the deposit refund for you to approve.
- WhatsApp reminders: One tap opens WhatsApp with the amount due and the tenant's app link already written. You press send.
On the way, not live yet: automatic WhatsApp reminders, UPI AutoPay, staff attendance, expense tracking and a monthly P&L.
Questions
Can I run a PG on Excel?
Yes, for a handful of beds. Once you have more tenants than you can track from memory, a rent roll, reminders and a complaint log save hours each month. HAUS does that free for up to 15 beds.
Is there free PG management software?
Yes. HAUS is free for one property with up to 15 beds, with every feature included.
Can I import my Excel sheet into HAUS?
Not automatically yet. You add properties, rooms, beds and tenants in the app. For more than 5 properties, email us and we will help move your data in.
Last updated .