Sending Text Messages (Legacy)

This help article contains instructions for the Legacy Version of Rentec Direct. More information about the latest version of Rentec Direct can be found here: The Remodel | Rentec Direct’s Newest Software Update

In addition to sending out emails, your property management software can also be used to compose and send individual text (SMS) messages to tenants, owners, and vendors.  Note: To use this feature, the service must first be activated.

Setup instructions can be found here: Setup Text Messaging

Sending Text Messages

The instructions are the same for tenants, owners, and vendors so we will use tenants as the example below. 

In your Rentec Direct account: 

1. Click on Tenants.
   1. To send an email to an Owner, click on the Accounts tab. 
   2. To send an email to a Vendor, click the Settings tab, and then Manage Vendors & Payees. 
2. Right-click and choose the Email/SMS option from the menu.
   
   
3. Click the Send SMS button at the top of the screen to open the Send Message window. 
   
   Note: This is the same screen to return to if you wish to see a list of all the outgoing emails, recorded email, or text messages sent or received. 
   
   
4. On the Send Message window, you have the option to create a template, use an existing template, or compose a message that you would like to send. 
   
   
5. When you are finished composing a message, click the Send Message button. 
   
   When someone replies to a text that you've sent, the Summary Tab will indicate that you have unread messages.
   
   

Text Message Considerations

When sending SMS messages to a recipient group, the editor displays a character counter at the bottom to help you keep your message within the 160 character limit.

Bear in mind that when using data fields in a message, the actual data (such as a tenant's last name) may be longer than the place holder %last_name%, so plan your message length accordingly.