At Rentec Direct, every quarter end is an exciting time as we recap your requests that were converted into amazing features and enhancements released by your Rentec Direct Development Team. This quarter, the developers have been working hard, and we invite you to take a peek at the current updates as well as any notable future updates that will streamline your management tasks. Take a look at the upcoming new features below, and remember to let your amazing Rentec Direct Success team know if you have a suggestion.
While your Development Team works on these major feature updates and rollouts, it’s equally important to address smaller issues and software updates. The developers work closely with the Client Success Team and our clients to find out what fixes and enhancements need to be done in order to make the software better and more efficient for you.
In house, the team refers to smaller updates as a bug fix, QuickFix, HotFix, or issue report, and large updates as Features or Enhancements. And while we don’t report every fix or update to you, you can be assured that your success and development teams work together to evaluate helpful updates that will improve your workflow and save you time.
Here’s a look at what the Development Team has been working on during the third quarter of 2023.
RENTEC DIRECT FEATURE UPDATES, FIXES, AND ENHANCEMENTS
MADE LIVE IN Q3 [July, August, and September] 2023
*Features/Enhancements*
- Feature 3086 – The primary user can now disable subuser’s 2FA to assist them in resetting their access.
- Feature 3104 – All accounts with access to online payments are now prompted to enable 2FA to improve their account security.
- Enhancement 2837 – Applications can now save and group all applicants automatically
- Enhancement 3077 – As a security measure we now email the account owner and applicable manager when a bank account is updated for owners or vendors.
- Enhance 3075 – 2FA codes expire after 5 minutes
- Enhance 3062 – When tenants or owners log in through their portal, they are notified if they need a more secure password.
- Enhancement 3146 – We notify users when attempting to use fraud-prone banking platforms.
- Enhancement 3134 – For text based two-factor authentication messages, we now identify the location and/or mobile carrier within the message to help you better identify the source of the login.
- Enhancement 3143 – Added product/service category support to CAM pools
- Term change 3185 – We renamed the “Send Message” option to “Messaging” in the right-click menu to better identify the option’s purpose.
- Enhancement 3131 – Edit renter page now shows a review application button when the renter is linked to an application
*Bug Fixes*
- Bug fix 3090 – Primary users with two-factor authentication enabled can now switch to a multi-user account with two-factor authentication enabled and not receive “You must be logged in user 2FA” message.
- Bug fix 3067 – Identified and fixed an edge case where funds were depositing into the wrong bank account when moving tenants between similar properties.
- Bug fix 3190 – Some rental applications were not fully loading when they contained certain unique characters
- Bug fix 3118 – Two-factor authentication now cannot be disabled for users with online payments access.
- Bug Fix 3132 – Fixed an Alert Message for Cash Payments.
- Bug fix 3129 – Fix a security error when following a link from a signature request to the file library.
- Bug fix 3210 – Improve recurring charges that are billed to tenant.
- Bug fix 3211 – Fix recurring email/text reminders
*Special Security Updates*
- Security 3093 – To prevent phishing, we now display a security notice when visiting the login page from a search result or ad.
- Security 3082 – 2FA notice is now a requirements, previously was just a recommendation.
- Security 3079 – 2FA is now required for for all outgoing ACH.
- Security 3120 – When you change your password, it will now log out of all other logged in users.
- Security 3098 – We now automatically remove VPN or international permissions if those permissions have not been used in the previous 12 months.
Notable Product Update Recap
Every quarter, it’s exciting to review the new features and improvements that have been rolled out, but there are always a few that we like to highlight, as many are a result of your requests. System updates and News & Tips on your Rentec Direct Summary tab are a great way to stay up on Major feature updates and products always get announced on the Rentec Direct Blog and shared in the System Update section of your Summary page when you first log into the software.
Have any questions about these updated features? Your amazing Rentec Direct success team is just a phone call or chat away!
Instantly Add Multiple Applicants With More Options
Rentec Direct’s online application process for multiple tenants has been enhanced, providing more options for you. Ultimately, this flexibility allows you to establish tenant placement that works best for you. Previously, when an application is received online, only the primary applicant could be added to your list of tenants automatically.
Building on the past feature, are now able to:
- Add all applicants automatically as a group, with the primary applicant as the main tenant
- Add all applicants automatically ungrouped, allowing you to select the primary tenant
- Add all tenants grouped and placed in the property
Learn more: New Feature| Instantly Add Multiple Rental Applicants as Tenants
New Account Security Updates
We know you handle sensitive financial and personal data for your business, tenants, and owners. That is why Rentec Direct will always put security for you and your assets first. Rentec Direct upholds the highest standards of bank-grade security for our property management software and constantly looks for ways to improve the service.
While Rentec Direct remains protected against external threats and hacking attempts, it’s equally important that rental business owners understand the risks of internal threats when someone’s account login and password get into the wrong hands. Several security features were updated this quarter to help you protect yourself from a phishing attempt or suspicious activity.
Learn more: Feature Update | New Account Security Updates
Since property managers and landlords are responsible for maintaining confidential records and managing funds for tenants and owners, it’s vital that you work with online companies that prioritize system security. It is so important that the President of Rentec Direct provided a webinar to help explain exposure risks and how your accounts are being protected.
Missed the webinar? View it here: Q&A With Nathan Miller: Account Security Webinar
CAM Charges for Property Management Accounting
With this enhancement, Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charges will merge into invoices as products & surcharges with the same billing cycle. This will result in tenants receiving an all-inclusive invoicing experience.
Learn more: Feature Update | CAM Charges for Property Manager Accounting
Notable Features for all of 2023:
Major feature updates and products always get announced on the Rentec Direct Blog and shared in the System Update section of your Summary page when you first log into the software. In case you missed any of the announcements, here’s a glimpse at what came out of the Rentec Direct developers’ office so far in 2023.
- Jan 18, 2023: Feature Update | Tenant Online Payment Improvements | Rentec Direct
- Jan 25, 2023: Feature Update | Rentec Direct Brings a Fresh New Design to Owner Portals
- March 15, 2023: Announcing the Upgraded Rentec Direct Affiliate Program
- March 29, 2023: Rentec Direct Releases Automated Email Notifications for Owner Payments
- April 11, 2023: Tenant Email Failure to Deliver Notices
- June 14, 2023: New Feature: Instant Property Descriptions for Rental Listings
- June 22, 2023: New Subuser Permission Enhances Security and Protects Account Data for Rentec Direct Property Management Software Clients
- June 22, 2023: New Subuser Permission Enhances Security and Protects Account Data for Rentec Direct Property Management Software Clients
- August 8, 2023: Feature Update | New Account Security Updates
- September 7, 2023: New Feature | Instantly add Multiple Rental Applicants as Tenants
- September 26, 2023: Feature Update| CAM Charges for Property Manager Accounting
Upcoming New Features
The Rentec Direct Development Team has several exciting new features that will be released soon. You might even recognize a feature or two as one you requested!
Keep an eye out for new links to the Product Updates section on the Summary page of your software, which is one of the best places to learn about feature updates in Rentec Direct. You may also notice new options on your reports and updates in the Knowledge Base articles as these updates get released.
Rentec Direct Mobile App
The long-requested mobile app of Rentec Direct’s property management will allow you to seamlessly access your Rentec Direct account and data from any mobile device. Rentec Direct’s property management software mobile app will be fully functional, meaning all features, tools, and data that you are used to using on the desktop are usable within the app (compared to competitors mobile apps with limited functionality).
This app will allow you to:
- Conveniently manage your Rentec Direct property management software while you are on the go from your phone or mobile device
- Receive the same notifications found in your Rentec Direct software
- The option of forwarding text messages responses
The Rentec Direct mobile app is currently in beta for Rentec Direct Insiders and will be available to all clients soon.
Automated Owner Reports
Keep your owners informed of important property updates or payment details, by creating a schedule that will email relevant reports to your owners automatically. This new feature will allow you to schedule recurring emails to be sent to owners with reports that you choose.
Integration with Tenant Turner
Many of our clients have requested an integration with Tenant Turner to help with lead tracking, pre-approval, and scheduling showings to select the best fit for their rentals. This feature will help keep your rentals occupied and free you up for other tasks.
These software updates are the result of valuable feedback and input from our awesome clients. If there is a new feature or a software enhancement you would love to see added to Rentec Direct, let us know.
About Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct is an award-winning property management software serving landlords and property managers across the United States. Features include online rent payments, tenant and owner portals, one of the industry’s largest vacancy listing syndication networks, full property, tenant, and owner accounting, 1099-MISC reporting and more. Rentec Direct was recognized as Real Estate Company of the Year in the 2023 American Business Awards®, and was named the Most Customer Friendly Companies of the Year in the 2022 Best in Biz Awards, has been named to the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies for six years in a row.