Printing Checks

The easy-to-use check printing feature of Rentec Direct property management software is compatible with the most popular check types available (see below).

Pro Tip: Printing checks from your Rentec Direct account requires a laser printer.

Configure Settings

It is recommended before printing checks to verify the settings match your check printing requirements. 

In your Rentec Direct account:

1. Click on Settings 
2. Click on Accounting Defaults
3. Choose your check style from the drop-down menu 
   
   Note: Rentec Direct software supports the most popular types of checks including 3-per-page and 1-per-page with one or two vouchers. To see examples of a check type, click the blue question mark on this page in the software or review the information at the bottom of this article. 
4. On this same page, if you want to print the address of the recipient on the face of the checks, toggle the selection to YES. If you do not want the address of the payee on the printed check, choose NO. 
5. Click on Save Changes

Setting up a Bank Account with Check Printing Options

The software requires that you have at least one bank account set up from which to write checks.

Instructions for setting up bank accounts in the software can be found here: Add Banking Ledgers

When following the instructions note:

• The checkbox for Blank Stock can be checked if you have unprinted blank stock you are printing on, otherwise, leave the checkbox unchecked.
• If you want to indicate how long the check is valid, enter the number of days in the Void Days box
• If you are using blank check stock, you are able to add contact information to your printed check. The most common information entered here is a company name, address, and phone number up to 4 lines. The information you enter in this field will be printed in the upper-left corner of your check. 

Setting up Vendors and Owners

Setting up vendors (and owners if you are using Rentec PM) will save you time when entering expenses. Once you set up a vendor, their information will be included in your list of options to select from. If you are printing addresses on checks, that information will also automatically carry over from the vendor's profile. 

Click here for more information about how to Add Vendors and Payees

Click here for more information on how to Add Owners

Creating a Check to Print

Creating a check to print is the same process as posting an expense or payment in the software. 

The following step-by-step details walk through how to post an expense or payment that is to be printed as a check.

In your Rentec Direct account: 

1. Click on Properties 
2. Right-click on a Property and choose Post Expense from the drop-down menu 
3. In Transaction Details, under the Expense Type use the drop-down menu to choose Print Check
4. Fill in the details of the check to be printed:
   1. Enter the Amount of the payment
   2. Choose the Bank from which this check will be drawn
   3. Enter a Memo which will show on the check memo line if you wish
5. In the Payee field, start typing the first few letters of your payee. If the name has been added to your list of vendors or owners, their name will show as an option to select. 
   
   Note: Information on adding vendors and payees can be found here: Add Vendors and Payees
6. Select the payee from the list or finish typing to add a custom payee. If an address is configured for the payee, it will automatically populate. If you are not printing checks with addresses, the address box is of no consequence; however, if you are printing checks with addresses, be sure the address information is complete.
7. Click on Post Expense 

Printing a Check

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. You will notice that next to the bank account there will be a check Icon. If you hover over the icon you'll see something similar to [1 check pending]. Click this Icon to enter the check printing window. 
   
   

   

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, if you are using 3-per-page checks, specify how many checks are available on your first available page of checks. 
   
5. Click on Preview Checks
   1. If the check doesn't appear correct, click the Red "Not Perfect, Go back a step"
   2. If the check appears correct
      1. Click on the printer icon to print the check, then
      2. Click on the Green "The printed checks look great! Close this window" to save the transaction

Additional considerations and recommendations:

• Each printer acts differently and may be set to collate pages; whereas some are not. After clicking the printer icon below 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.
• In order 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, as in the screenshot below, with a preview of what the printer will print. Note: if nothing shows, you may need to install Adobe Reader, or if you are using Google's Chrome browser, read the special Chrome notice at the bottom of the page).  
• When the check is sent to your printer, your computer will open a print dialog window; at that point, select Actual Size. This will ensure the accurate placement of the values on your checks.

Automatic Recurring Check Printing

When posting an expense (see above) you have the option at that time to create it as a recurring property expense. That recurring expense can be set with the Print Check option, and as the recurring event renews, it will automatically create a new check to print within the system. This is quite useful for vendors who have a fixed payment due each month (landscaping, utilities, etc).

Supported Check Types 

The software supports these three common Quicken and QuickBooks compatible checks that can be found at most office supply stores or ordered through your bank: 

• 3 checks to a page
• 1 check with 1 voucher
• 1 check with 2 vouchers