NestBord is built around a small set of objects that mirror real property management: Properties contain Units, Units host Listings and Leases, and Leases connect Tenants to Units. Once you understand that shape, everything else slots in.
1. Add your first property
From the sidebar, open Properties and click Add Property. Enter the building name, type, and street address. Canadian provinces are in the dropdown — forms and legal defaults adapt to the province you pick.
On the next step, add one or more units (number, rent, beds/baths/sqft). Photos uploaded here flow automatically into any listing for those units.
2. Click into a unit
Each unit has its own detail page (Properties → unit row → "Unit X"). You'll see a photo gallery, current lease state, open maintenance, and lease history. The unit's status (Vacant / Occupied / Listed / Maintenance) drives what actions are available.
3. Onboard a tenant — invite or manual
From a vacant unit, click Onboard tenant. You have two paths:
- Invite — emails the tenant a link to set their own password and accept. The lease is created as DRAFT until they sign.
- Manual add — you enter their details directly and the lease activates immediately. Useful for tenants you've already onboarded offline.
4. Send the lease for signature
Open the lease (Leases → row, or via the unit). Click Review & Send for Signature. The tenant gets an email with a signing link. Once they sign, you sign too via the prominent "Sign as Landlord" banner — and the lease becomes ACTIVE.
5. Keep an eye on the dashboard
The "Leases needing attention" rollup on your homepage lists every draft, pending-signature, and partially-signed lease so you never lose track of a stuck deal.
That's the loop. Maintenance, vendors, owners and reports all attach to these objects — each has its own article.