An update has been rolled out this weekend which introduces the capability of sharing files with owners and tenants via the owner and tenant portals. To use this new feature, enter any file library and you’ll see a new link to the right of your files labelled (share). Click this link to open up the new sharing dialog. First, if the file is within the file library of a property and is a web compatible image, you’ll have the familiar option of using the photo for your online listings and craigslist ads. This option was previously a checkbox on the same screen and is now consolidated into the this share dialog.
The two new options enable you to share the file with a tenant or share the file with an owner. The system allows you to share any file with any tenant or owner; however, to quickly identify the most likely candidates for sharing the dialog will highlight any linked tenants or owners within the dropdown list.
One one or more files have been shared with a tenant or owner, they will see a new tab within their portal labelled Files. The tenant or owner can click this tab to view a sortable list of all files shared with them.
It is easy with Rentec Direct to setup tenant and owner portals so tenants and owners can have their own login to the system to view their accounting details.
This has been one of our most frequent requests by property managers; to allow tenants to place workorders via the tenant portal. We’re pleased to report that this new feature is released!
Tenants will have a new tab called ‘Repairs’ when they login to their tenant portal. Within this tab they can see a list of workorders associated with the property they are renting. Clicking on any of the items will give them limited details (only what a tenant should see). Tenants can also click the link at the bottom to Report an issue, where they can enter details of the problem which will automatically enter a workorder inside your Rentec Direct account, and email you about it’s existence.
By default this functionality is enabled for all new workorders. If you want to prohibit tenants from placing workorders or modify the email preference, you can easily adjust these settings at Settings, Program Defaults. You can also prohibit a tenant from seeing an individual workorder by de-selecting the ‘Tenant view‘ option when creating or editing workorders in the upper right.
There are frequently small improvements which get added to Rentec Direct which often do not get the attention they deserve. Someday we hope to have a complete changelog posted of every little update, no matter how insignificant, for those who may be interested. In the meantime, here’s a few updates that have happened so far in 2009.
Attachments to existing transactions: While it’s been possible for some time to add an attachment to a transaction as it’s being built, you can now add an attachment to any existing transaction by editing the transaction, and choosing ‘add attachment’.
Review deleted tenants and properties: Prior to this improvement, when a property or tenant was deleted, they were gone forever. Now, you can review any deleted tenant or property by clicking ‘Show Deleted Tenants’ or ‘Show Deleted Properties’ in the lower right corner of the screen. This gives you the added advantage of expiring tenants for which you no longer interact with so they do not take up screen real-estate, but the ability to review all their details if the need arises.
Tenant Portal: A full announcement can be found here. The tenant portal allows tenants to login and review their own accounting and make minor setting changes for email preferences. Soon tenants will be able to make payment arrangements within the tenant portal.
Online Applications: Save the paper and hassle of delivering paper applications, and storing them in the endless file folders most of us keep. Take applications online through Rentec Direct’s new online application system. Full announcement here.
Small bug fixes: Rentec Direct is a dynamic web based application. Every now and then a Rentec user might use the application in a way we had not anticipated. Sometimes that can result in the system not understanding the data, or treating it in a manner that is not anticipated by the user. This happens with every application ever developed by any software company in the world. Rentec Direct is on top of these when they happen and fix them on the spot. These repairs, although infrequent, happen behind the scenes and your version of Rentec Direct is automatically updated when they do.
Rentec Direct is pleased to announce the renter portal. Just like landlords and property managers can login to view account details, balances, etc; you can offer similar functionality to your tenants.
Tenants can login using their own username and password and view limited details about their account. This reduced screenshot shows the summary screen that a tenant who is Overdue would see. A paid up account would see their next payment due date, and the amount due.
Additionally tenants can review their statement, and make minor setting changes, such as email address updates, and email receipt preferences.
To use this feature, login and edit the tenant you wish to have access and check ‘Enable’ on Tenant Portal. Be sure you have an email filled in for the tenant as this will be their username, and the password will be their password for accessing the portal. If you leave the password blank, the system will automatically generate a random password for you.
In the future, for landlords who have merchant services or electronic draft enabled for their tenants, tenants will be able to make rent payments directly from this interface.
Tenants can login using their own username and password and view limited details about their account. This reduced screenshot shows the summary screen that a tenant who is Overdue would see. A paid up account would see their next payment due date, and the amount due.