1. Getting Started: Adding Residents
Before you can use Sentri's full features, you need to add residents to your estate portal.
Steps:
- After signing up, click the House icon 🏠 on your dashboard
- Complete the "Add a Resident" form with the following information:
- Resident's full name
- Resident's title
- House/unit number
- Street name
- Email
- Phone
- Click Add Resident
💡 Tip: We recommend adding all residents during your initial setup to enable smooth levies and dues collection.
2. Managing Access: Adding Admins & Security Personnel
Once residents are added, you can grant portal access to estate admins and security staff.
Steps:
- Click the Padlock icon 🔒 on your dashboard
- This opens the "Add an Admin or Security Personnel" form
- Search for the person's name from your resident list
- Select the appropriate role:
- Admin - Full access to manage residents, fees, and settings
- Security - Limited access to scan and verify visitor passes only
- Click Assign Role
📌 Note: Only Super Admins can add or remove other admins and security personnel.
3. Creating Visitor Passes
Residents can generate digital gate passes for their visitors in seconds.
Steps:
- Click the User+ icon 👤➕ (first icon on your dashboard)
- Complete the "Create a Visitor Pass" form:
- Visitor's full name
- Time of visit
- Visit date
- Number of people expected
- Click Submit to generate the pass
To Download & Share the Pass:
- After creation, click "Gate Pass" under your visitor's name
- A panel will appear showing the pass details
- Click "Download Visitor's Pass" to save the pass as an image
- Share the pass with your visitor via WhatsApp, SMS, or email
💡 Pro Tip: Passes can be created in advance. Your visitor will receive a QR code and 6-digit access code valid for the specified date/time.
4. Using Gate Passes at Entry Points
Visitors can gain entry to your estate using their gate pass in two ways:
Method 1: QR Code (Recommended)
- Visitor presents their digital or printed gate pass to security
- Security personnel scan the QR code using the Sentri app
- System instantly verifies authenticity and displays:
- ✅ Valid pass - Visitor details and host information
- ❌ Invalid/expired pass - Access denied
- If valid, visitor is granted entry
Method 2: Access Code (Backup Option)
If the visitor doesn't have a smartphone or the QR code can't be scanned:
- Visitor provides the 6-digit access code located below the QR code
- Security enters the code into the Sentri app
- System verifies the code and displays visitor details
- If valid, visitor is granted entry
🔒 Security Note: Each pass is single-use and time-sensitive for enhanced estate security.
5. Setting Up Levies & Dues
Sentri helps you manage estate finances through two types of fees:
💰 Levy
One-time payment for specific projects or expenses
Example: Road repairs, painting
📅 Due
Recurring payment collected regularly
Example: Monthly security fees, annual service charges
Adding a Levy
Steps:
- Click the Percentage tag icon % (third icon)
- Fill out the "Add a Levy" form:
- Levy name/description
- Amount
- Due date
- Apply to: Select specific residents OR all residents
- Click Submit
📝 Example: "Estate Gate Renovation - ₦50,000 per household, due by March 31, 2026"
Adding a Due
Steps:
- Click the Calendar icon 📅 (fourth icon)
- Complete the "Add a Due" form:
- Due name (e.g., "Monthly Security Fee")
- Amount per household
- Payment frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually)
- Start date
- Click Submit
📌 Note: Dues automatically apply to all residents and recur based on your specified frequency. Residents will receive automatic payment reminders.
6. Recording Payments
Sentri supports two payment collection methods to suit your estate's needs:
Option 1: Online Payments (Recommended)
Residents can pay directly through Sentri's secure payment portal:
- Resident clicks the Money bill icon 💵 (third icon)
- Views outstanding levies and dues
- Clicks "Pay Now" on any fee
- Completes payment via Paystack/Flutterwave (card, transfer, or USSD)
- Payment is automatically recorded and receipt is generated
✅ Benefits: Instant confirmation, automatic receipts, real-time financial tracking
Option 2: Manual Payment Recording
For cash or bank transfer payments made directly to estate officers:
- Resident pays the Estate Treasurer/Financial Officer/Secretary
- Estate officer logs into Sentri admin portal
- Navigates to the resident's payment record
- Marks the levy/due as "Paid" and enters:
- Payment date
- Payment method (cash/bank transfer)
- Reference number (optional)
- System updates the resident's payment status
Viewing Payment History
As a Resident:
- Click the Money bill icon 💵
- View:
- Payment history (all settled fees)
- Outstanding balances
- Next due payment date and amount
- Download receipts for any completed payment
As an Admin:
Access the financial dashboard to see:
- Total collections by period
- Outstanding balances across all residents
- Payment status reports
- Export data for accounting
Need Help?
Common Questions:
Q: Can I edit a visitor pass after creating it?
A: No, but you can cancel it and create a new one.
Q: What if my visitor arrives outside the scheduled time?
A: Security can still verify the pass; time windows are flexible unless you enable strict mode.
Q: How do I delete a resident?
A: Contact your Super Admin or go to Settings > Manage Residents.
Q: Can residents see other residents' payment status?
A: No, payment information is private to each household.
