Printing Checks

Rentec Direct makes it easy to print checks directly from the software and is compatible with the most popular check types available (see below).

This article reviews:

1. Configuring Accounting Defaults for check printing
2. Setting up Check Printing options in bank accounts
3. Creating a check to print
4. Printing Checks 

Tips before you get started:

• Printing checks from your Rentec Direct account requires a laser printer
• Checks can be printed from a mobile device, but it is much easier to print from a tablet or desktop.
• To have the memo, category, and/or check number displayed on Account Ledger reports, update the advanced settings under Program Default Settings | Preferences
• All check and reference fields can hold up to 45 characters

Configure Settings or Adjust Check Alignment

It's recommended to verify that the settings match your check printing requirements before printing checks.

In your Rentec Direct account:

1. Click on Settings 
2. Under Financial, click on Accounting Defaults
3. Under Printing Preferences,
   1. Select your check style from the Format for printed checks drop-down menu 
   2. Check Yes or No to Print payee address on checks 
   3. The adjust check-printer alignment tool adjusts the alignment of information printed on checks. 

4. Click on Save Changes. (If you haven't already set up a bank account to print checks from, continue to the next step.)

   Tip: Hover over the ? for more details.

Setting up Check Printing Options in a Bank Account

Each Bank Account used to print checks can be quickly configured to your preferences.

In your Rentec Direct account:

1. Click on Banking
2. Right-click on the Bank Account and select Edit Account
3. Under Check Printing - (hover over the "?" to see more details for each option)
   1. If using unformatted checks, select Blank Stock
   2. Enter the number of days the check becomes Void
   3. When using Blank Stock, enter the Name and Address on Checks. Information entered here will print in the upper-left corner of the check. (The most common information entered is a company name, address, and phone number up to 4 lines)

Note: Learn more about how to Add Banking Ledgers

Creating a Check to Print

Expenses entered throughout the software can be easily printed as a check. (Expenses posted to work orders, tenant security deposits, and property and bank ledgers)

In the example below, the expense is posted to a property ledger.

In your Rentec Direct account: 

1. Click on Properties
2. Right-click on the Property and choose Post Expense 
3. Select the Payment Type Print Check (flagging the transaction for when you're ready to print)
4. Check # will be indicated when Printing a Check in the next step

5. Start typing the first few letters of the Payee to select the matching vendor in your account, and the Mailing Address will auto-fill from their profile

   System Note: If a Payee isn't listed, enter their name, and it will automatically be added to your Vendor list. Learn more about how to Add Vendors and Payees and Add Owners

6. Fill in the details of the check to be printed:
   1. Bank - The bank will auto-populate from the Expense Account indicated in the property 
   2. Select the Category where the expense should be reflected in financial reports
   3. Enter a Memo, which will show on the check memo line if you wish
   4. Enter the Amount of the payment
7. Options
   1. Property Ledger - If expenses to a property ledger should also be charged to a tenant, use the dropdown to select the tenant
   2. Bank Ledger - If expenses to a bank ledger should also reflect on a property, use the dropdown to select which property 
8. Attach Files as needed
9. Options
   1. Property Ledger - 
      1. Recurring
      2. Depreciate (Depreciable Improvements)
   2. Bank Ledger - Split Transaction
10. Click on Post Expense 

Printing Checks

After you've posted an expense with the Print Check option, you can then physically print the check from the software.

In your Rentec Direct account:

1. Click on Banking 

2. Click the Check Icon next to the bank account to view the list of transactions 

   
   

   

3. Check the box next to the check/checks you wish to print (or check the box in the upper left to select all). 

4. Enter the First Check # to be applied (When using 3-per-page checks, specify how many checks are available on your first available page of checks)

   
   

   

5. Click on Preview Checks
6. Click on the Printer Icon to print the checks
   1. If the checks appear correctly
      1. Click on the Green "The printed checks look great! Close this window" to save the action
   2. If the checks don't appear correctly
      1. Click on the Red "Not Perfect, Go back a Step"
      2. Make any needed corrections and repeat the Printing Checks steps

Additional considerations and recommendations:

• Each printer acts differently and may be set to collate pages, whereas some are not. After clicking the printer icon and before clicking OK to send to the printer, you may need to choose the 'Reverse Pages' option, if available, to have the checks printed in the correct order. 
• Please create some sample checks and print them on blank paper or disposable checks for practice before printing on actual checks.
• To ensure the text prints on the checks where it is supposed to, your checks are created in PDF (Portable Document Format). The PDF will show on the page, with a preview of what the printer will print. Note: if nothing shows, you may need to install Adobe Reader  
• When the check is sent to your printer, your computer may open a print dialog window; at that point, select Actual Size. This will ensure the accurate placement of the values on your checks.

Common Uses for Print Check

• Print a one-time expense, such as a check, to Return a Tenant Deposit
• Print one check for multiple transactions to the same payee from the bank using the Batch Income and Expense Transaction Tool (paying a vendor for multiple services)
• Print multiple checks for various expenses
• Print a Recurring Check. As a recurring event renews, the system automatically creates a new check to print. This is quite useful for vendors with a fixed monthly payment (landscaping, utilities, etc.).