Add Properties

Properties can easily be added to Rentec Direct.

This article reviews the steps to add a Single-Family Home to your list.

If you are adding a duplex, triplex, or apartment, click this link for step-by-step details on Multi-Unit Property; otherwise, continue to the steps below to add a Single-Family-Home.

Add Property to Rentec Direct

Add Properties (Single-Family Homes)

Minimal information is needed to add a property to the software. It can easily be updated later using the steps outlined in Edit Properties. It's best to enter as much information as possible, as this data is used across the platform for various purposes.

As you enter the fields, hover over the "?" for more helpful details.

In your Rentec Direct account: 

  1. Click on Properties
  2. Click on + Add Property 
  3. Under Property Information
    1. Nickname: This will be displayed throughout the application and in reports.
    2. Description (optional) -  Example: 3br 2ba Townhouse, Includes Storage, Has 2 Car Garage
    3. Address - Begin typing the address and select from the list of verified addresses to auto-fill City, State, and Zip.
    4. Image - The street view of the location will automatically populate in the thumbnail based on the address. If you would like to upload a different photo, select Hide Street View, then Add Image. (This image will only be used in the software. Images for marketing will be added to the Marketing Info page).
    5. Square Footage, Year Built, Bedrooms, and Bathrooms - This information will automatically be used when marketing the property, in reports, and for leads to search available properties.
    6. Private Notes are for internal use only
  4. Under Rental Details
    1. Property Type defaults to Single-Family Home. Use the dropdown to select a different type of property as needed.
    2. Check the Multi-Unit Property box when adding properties such as a duplex, triplex, apartment, etc., and indicate How Many Units. Click here to learn more about  Adding a Multi-Unit Property
    3. Enter the locations' Default Rent and Default Security Deposit - This information will automatically be applied throughout the software when Moving Tenants In to properties, Marketing Syndication, and in Reports, and can be changed individually if needed.
  5. Under Managers & Owners (Only available in Rentec PM Accounts). Selecting Managers allows the software to work for you. Assigned managers and owners will be used throughout the software in reports, as contacts, to receive notifications, manage tasks, and make payment disbursements.
    1. Use the dropdowns to select the assigned Property, Marketing, and Maintenance Manager  
    2. Use the dropdown to select the owner.
  6. Under Financial
    1. Income and Expense Account - Use the dropdown to select these accounts. These accounts will serve as the default ledgers for all property-linked transactions, including income (such as rental payments and owner contributions) and expenses (like vendor payments, management fees, and owner disbursements). This setup ensures transactions are automatically posted to the correct ledgers for accurate record-keeping and reporting.
    2. Payable To select who the statements should indicate for tenants to make payments to or select Do Not Show
    3. Renter's Insurance Required - If renters' insurance is required, use the dropdown to select the amount required

    4. Linked Asset Account/Opening Balance: Checking this box will automatically create a Linked Asset Account for the property.

      Pro Tip: Learn more about Setting Up Categories | Chart of Accounts

      * PM Accounts*

    5. Property Reserve: Check the box, then enter the amount of reserve for the property
  7. Under Insurance,
    1. Track property and/or landlord insurance

    2. Pro accounts can view an estimate based on information entered for the property. Click on the link to obtain a quote and even purchase landlord insurance that can be tracked and viewed in a Property Insurance Report using the steps below.

      Tip: If you do not want the property to show on Property Insurance reports, enter Exempt in the Carrier Field

  8. Fee Structure allows you to establish the parameters of automated management and placement fees (This option will be available for PM clients only)
    1. Category defaults to 6100 Management Fee expense. Use the dropdown to select a different category if needed.
    2. Indicate the Management Fee structure for that property
      1. Flat Rate (monthly)
      2. Percentage of Tenant Payments
      3. Percentage of Charged Rent
      4. Not Less Than and Not to Exceed (for minimum and maximum Management Fees)
    3. Placement Fees category defaults to 6150 Commissions expense. Use the dropdown to select a different category if needed.
    4. Indicate the amount of the Placement Fee to post upon moving in a tenant 
  9. Custom Info is any information you want to track and can be made searchable in your Rentec Direct account. Once Custom Info is added, there will be a new Data Field to include the information in Message Templates, Forms, and Mailing Manager.
  10. Click on Add Property. The Marketing Info page for the property will automatically pop up, and you can complete it now or at any time when you are ready to market your properties.
  11. Click on Save Changes 

Property Insurance Report

Easily track the status of all property insurance in your Rentec Direct account with the Property Insurance Report.

In your Rentec Direct account:

  1. Click on Reports
  2. Under Miscellaneous, click on Property Insurance
  3. Select the Property/Properties using the dropdown, and any Insurance Status you would like included
  4. Click on Submit

Reports can be printed, downloaded, and saved as PDF or CSV, and emailed. Click on the ⭐to add the report to your favorites.

Tip: Stay on top of your property insurance policies by scheduling them to be emailed to you weekly or monthly automatically. Click this link to learn more about automating scheduled reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) Why is it important to Setup the account in the order of Basic Setup Steps?

Rentec Direct is designed to save you time by linking fields that interact with each other for areas of record keeping, subunit setup, and the flow of transactions across ledgers, forms, reports, and your Rentec Direct website. For example:

  1. Adding the Bank Account before adding Properties & Tenants
    1. If a bank account is added first when the property is added
      1. You can select the bank account you added as a default income and expense account that will automatically populate when transactions are entered
      2. Transactions entered on the property ledger will automatically show on both the property and bank ledger saving you time from double entry.
    2. If the bank account is already indicated in the property when a tenant is Moved In
      1. When a tenants payment is entered it will automatically populate on the tenant, property, and associated bank ledgers helping to ensure accurate record keeping

Q) What if my accountant has other preferred Categories for my Chart of Accounts

You can easily change your default categories to match your/your accountant's existing accounting practices. Learn more about Setting up Categories | Chart of Accounts

Q) How can I find a renter for my property?

Your Rentec Direct account includes a website and the option to syndicate to most major listing sites. Learn more about Marketing Your Rental Through Online Listings 

Q) What other features use information from the property profile?

Other features of the software that utilize information from the property profile include:


  • Important Note: If a subunit field is left blank, the address will automatically be determined from the central unit's address. Example: If the main unit is 123 Main St and the Unit (Nickname) is 5. The address will automatically calculate as 123 Main St, Unit 5.
Did this answer your question? Thanks for the feedback There was a problem submitting your feedback. Please try again later.

Related Articles