Migration FAQ
Common questions about switching to PorchQ.
Does payment history transfer?
No. Payment history from your previous system does not import into PorchQ. PorchQ starts fresh from the date you go live.
Your old payment records stay in your previous platform. We recommend keeping your old account active in read-only mode for at least 90 days after migration so you can reference historical transactions if needed.
Going forward, all new payments — dues, assessments, and fees — are recorded and tracked in PorchQ.
Do homeowners need to create new accounts?
Yes, but the process is simple. After you import your homeowner list, PorchQ sends each homeowner a one-click invitation email. They click the link, set a password, and their account is ready. No extra forms or approvals required.
You control when invitations are sent. Importing homeowners does not automatically email them — you trigger invites from the Residents page when you're ready to go live.
Homeowners who already have a PorchQ account from a previous community will be linked automatically when they accept the invite.
How long does migration take?
Most small HOAs (under 200 units) complete the full migration in under 2 hours:
- Export from old system: 10–20 minutes
- Format & clean the CSV: 15–30 minutes
- Import into PorchQ: 5 minutes
- Invite homeowners & upload documents: 20–30 minutes
Larger associations or communities with messy data may take longer. The most time-consuming part is usually cleaning up the export file (duplicate rows, missing emails, inconsistent formatting).
See Migration Overview → for a full time breakdown.
Is our data secure during transfer?
Yes. Your data is protected at every step:
- All data transfers to PorchQ use TLS encryption (the same standard as online banking)
- CSV files are processed server-side and not stored permanently after import
- PorchQ is hosted on SOC 2-compliant infrastructure
- Your community's data is logically isolated from other organizations
- Only users with admin or manager roles can access the import tool
We recommend using a secure, private network when uploading your homeowner CSV — avoid public Wi-Fi when transferring files containing personal information.
What if I have errors in my CSV?
PorchQ's importer shows a detailed error report after each import attempt. Each error includes the row number and a description of the problem.
Common errors and quick fixes:
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Missing required column | Rename the column header to match PorchQ's expected name |
| Invalid email address | Correct or clear the email field for that row |
| Duplicate unit number | Remove duplicate rows; keep one per homeowner |
| Blank street address | Fill in the address or delete the row if it's a placeholder |
After fixing the errors, save your CSV and re-upload. PorchQ skips rows that were already imported successfully, so re-running the import is safe.
See Homeowner Import → Common Errors for the full troubleshooting guide.
Can I undo an import?
Imported records can be deleted manually from the Residents page. Select the homeowners you want to remove and choose Delete.
If you need to undo a large import, contact PorchQ support and we can bulk-remove the records for you.
What happens to homeowners who are already in PorchQ?
If a homeowner's email address already exists in PorchQ (from a previous community), their existing account is linked to the new unit automatically when they accept the invitation. They keep their same login credentials.
Can I import co-owners or multiple contacts per unit?
Yes. Include a separate row for each contact, using the same unit_number and street_address. PorchQ will link both to the same unit.
unit_number,street_address,first_name,last_name,email
101,123 Oak Street,Jane,Smith,jane@example.com
101,123 Oak Street,Mark,Smith,mark@example.com
Both Jane and Mark will be linked to unit 101 and can activate separate portal accounts.
Still have questions?
Reach out to the PorchQ support team at porchq.com/support. We're happy to help you through the migration process.