The Automated Payment Allocation feature automates splitting payments into multiple income categories. Users can create rules to determine how funds are allocated across tenant charges. Before this new feature launches, you must update your account settings to assign income categories to your products and services.
A Quick Recap
Rentec Direct’s Automated Payment Allocation feature is nearing release, and as we get closer to the launch date, there is one step you need to take to ensure it works smoothly for you.
Automated Payment Allocation (APA) was introduced as an upcoming feature designed to make tenant payment processing easier and more automated. APA completely automates the process of splitting payments into applicable income categories. When posting income to a tenant, you will soon simply select which invoice the payment is for, and the income categories are automatically applied based on the charges on the invoice.
And if a tenant pays more than is currently due? No problem. The extra amount will be saved as an Unapplied Credit. That credit will then be automatically applied to future charges.
The result? Less manual payment processing, more consistent accounting, and less time figuring out where each payment belongs.
Prepare your Account for Automated Payment Allocation
In order for the APA feature to work effectively, you must:
- Assign income categories to your products
- Determine which charges will include a management fee
You can use the new Detect Income Categories Wizard to help you through this step, making setting up multiple products at once more efficient.
You can access all three updates from the Products & Services page when adding or editing a Product.
Assign Products to Income Categories for APA
In order to use the APA feature, tenant charges must correlate to an income category that can be customized in the Products & Services section of your account settings.
In your Rentec Direct account:
- Click Settings
- Under Financial, select Products & Services
- Click the Edit (paper/pencil) icon for the product you want to update
Assign an Income Category for Each Product
Each product now includes an Income Category setting.
When APA launches, Rentec Direct will use the Income Category assigned to each Product to automatically categorize payments entered into your account.
This applies to all payments entered through Rentec Direct.
To make setup easier, Rentec Direct uses your account’s payment history to suggest the category most commonly associated with each product.
You can use the suggested category or select a different one.
Choose Whether to Include Management Fees
You’ll also find a new Include Management Fee option when adding or editing a product.
Some products may be subject to management fees based on your management agreement.
Your existing property settings still control the management fee details, including the category, percentage, and minimum and maximum amounts. The new Product setting tells Rentec Direct whether that fee should apply to a particular product when eligible payments are automatically processed.
When APA becomes available, Rentec Direct will use this Product setting to determine whether to post a management fee.
Set your preferences now, so your Products are ready when APA arrives.
Updating Lots of Products? We’ve Got You.
If you have a lot of products to update, you don’t have to edit each one individually.
The new Detect Income Categories Wizard reviews your transaction history and suggests Income Categories for each product based on previous charges and payments.
You can review each suggestion, accept it, or choose a different category before saving your changes.
Your approved changes are automatically recorded in your account history.
Why Get a Head Start on Automated Payment Allocation?
The full Automated Payment Allocation feature is still on its way, but there’s no need to wait until launch day to get organized.
Set up your Income Categories and management fee preferences now so your products are ready when APA goes live. These settings will help Rentec Direct do more of the work for you by:
- Splitting payments across the appropriate charges.
- Assigning payments to the corresponding Income Categories.
- Applying management fees based on your product settings.
- Tracking overpayments as credits you can apply to future charges.
The result? Less manual calculation and payment entry, with more consistent and organized accounting.
Automated Payment Allocation Is Coming Soon!
We’re getting closer! 🚀
This update is the first step toward making tenant payment processing easier and less hands-on.
Take a few minutes to prepare your products now, and you’ll be ready when Automated Payment Allocation arrives.
Have Questions?
Connect with your US-based Award-Winning Success Team weekdays from 6 am to 5 pm (PST). Just click on the Live Expert Help link to email or chat with live support, email success@rentecdirect.com, or call 800-881-5139 ext 2.
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Suggest a Feature
Our goal is always to make your tasks as a landlord, property manager, or investor simpler, quicker, and more efficient. One way we accomplish this is by reviewing valuable feedback and input from our awesome clients. If there’s anything you would like to see added to enhance your Rentec Direct experience, please send your ideas and suggestions to success@rentecdirect.com.
About Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct provides industry-leading property management software and tenant screening solutions for real estate professionals across the small, mid, and large property management segments. Key features include online rent payments, a mobile app and tenant portal, vacancy listing syndication, and robust accounting tools. Founded in 2007, Rentec Direct is the largest software platform serving both landlords and property managers, with more five-star reviews than any other property management software. A 10-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, Rentec Direct was also named Real Estate Company of the Year in the 2026 American Business Awards® and recognized among the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Small Businesses. www.rentecdirect.com
