Payment Processing Setup Part 1
Setting up a merchant account with Rentec Direct is very easy. We've taken all the steps to integrate with the banking system, ACH transaction network, and credit card processors. Below you'll find helpful tips and instructions to enroll.
The training video is located at the bottom of this article or can be found on the Rentec Direct YouTube channel here: Electronic ACH & CC Payments | Rentec Direct Training
Note: If you came to this article looking for information on how to convert your money order, personal check, and cash-paying tenants to a solution that eliminates in-house processing, we offer a solution for that as well.
Information on electronic Cash payment tools can be found here: Cash Payments (PayNearMe) Electronic Rent Collection For Cash Paying Tenants
Merchant Account Set Up Tips
Important Note: Our merchant processing partner FORTE requires a website address, physical office address, and a business-style checking account. If you apply without these options, your application will not process.
Tip: If you do not have a website, Rentec Direct offers one free with your account and activating your free website is easy.
In your Rentec Direct account:
- Click on the Settings tab.
- Click the Professional Website & Branding option.
- Create and enter a unique name in the Web Address field.
- Toggle the Home Page option to ON.
- Click the Save Settings button.
Note: Those are the only two necessary steps to activate your web address for the purpose of applying for online payment processing.
Complete instructions for formatting your Rentec Direct Website can be found here: Building Your Own Website
Payment Processing Merchant Enrollment
The following instructions will allow you to choose either to submit your application electronically or print and send.
In your Rentec Direct account:
- Click on the Settings tab.
- Click on Online Payments and choose which method you would like to submit your information.
Tip: The electronic agreement will walk you through the steps automatically and is the fastest option. - Complete Step 1 which is the EasyPay agreement.
- Complete Step 2 which is the Forte Merchant account application.
Important Note: When completing Step 2 (the Forte Merchant Application) you will have two choices of applying for ACH only or ACH + CC (credit card).
- ACH only -- If you choose ACH only and decide later to add credit card processing, you will be required to complete an additional application at that time.
- ACH + CC (credit card) -- If you plan to accept application fees and/or allow your tenants to pay by credit card use the ACH + CC option.
Note:
- The merchant setup process typically takes 7 - 14 business days.
- Once approved, visit Payment Processing Setup Part 2
Common Questions
Q: Can I use more than one bank account for depositing rent?
A: Yes, after you have submitted the preliminary application (see instructions above) and the merchant account has been enabled, you will have the ability to add additional merchant accounts. Information on setting up Secondary deposit accounts can be found here: Multiple Deposit Accounts for ACH and Credit Card Payments.
Note: Rentec Direct includes up to 5 merchant accounts free of charge with a current Rentec Pro or PM subscription if you manage 200+ properties. If you have less than 200 properties or are setting up more than 5 merchant accounts they are billed at $15/each per month.
Q: What should I list under the Estimated Monthly transaction detail on page two?
A: The Average & Maximum Sale relate to an individual rent transaction. Whereas the Monthly figure should project the total possible rent collection.
Q: Why do I have to offer a Personal Guarantee for the Merchant Account?
A: The Personal Guarantee is needed to secure the account for liability reasons. As you can imagine, allowing individuals to transfer funds from bank to bank carries certain risks and the merchant account provider requires that the account provide a secure endorsement. Should your company wish to offer the Guarantee (rather than an individual), you will be asked to provide additional company documents, which traditionally include 2 years of financial documents.
Q: What is the general criteria for approval?
A: As merchant accounts are personally guaranteed, the principal must have a credit score of a minimum of 600 and have no open tax liens against them. Also, you will need to be able to be to tie the principal to the business (typically done thru the State Filing search).