Overview
Portfolio defaults let you configure leasing policy information that applies to all new listings — things like deposit requirements, pet policies, fees, and utilities. You set these once, and RentEngine applies them automatically when you add a new property.
These settings don't update existing listings retroactively. You can always override any default at the unit level during the property editing flow (Properties > Take action > Edit property > Defaults).
Navigate to Settings > Portfolio Defaults to get started.
Resident qualifications
Enter your minimum resident qualifications here. This text replaces the standard qualifications text on your public listings. Any URLs you include are automatically hyperlinked.
If there is no text added to this section, the listing pages will display the qualifications stated in the prescreening template (Settings > Showings > Prescreening)
Learn more about the prescreening here: https://learn.rentengine.io/en/articles/13587561-set-up-your-prescreening-requirements
Deposit requirements
Deposit required — Enter the deposit as a percentage of one month's rent (e.g., 100 = one month's rent).
Require last month's rent — Check this if you require last month's rent upfront.
Deposit alternative available — Check this if you offer a deposit replacement program, then describe the details in the field that appears.
Pets policy
Use the Are pets allowed? dropdown to set your default pet policy.
You can also add Pet Restrictions & Notes to describe any additional rules or conditions.
If you use AppFolio or RentVine as your PMS: The "Are pets allowed?" field updates automatically based on the property's settings in your PMS. If the property doesn't allow pets, it syncs to No. If it does allow pets, it syncs to Yes, and includes whatever details you've set here in Portfolio Defaults.
Pet fees
This section appears when your pet policy is set to a "with pet fee" option. You can add multiple fees, each with:
Fee name and amount ($ or % of rent)
Timing: Move-In, Monthly, Move-Out, or Annually
Refundable status: Non-Refundable, Refundable, or Partially Refundable
Checkboxes: Required, Per Pet, Applies to ESAs, Depends on Pet Screening
If Depends on Pet Screening is checked, the fee amount is replaced by a min/max range.
Application visibility
Hide application link for On Hold properties — Controls whether the application link shows on listings that are On Hold.
Hide application link for all properties — Hides the application link from all public listings. If hidden, RentEngine sends the application link directly after a showing instead.
Application required for showing — Only visible if rental applications are enabled on your account. Options:
No — Prospects can schedule a showing without applying.
Application submission — Prospects must submit an application first. The schedule link is sent automatically to the primary applicant upon submission.
Application conditionally approved — Prospects must submit and be conditionally approved before receiving the schedule link.
Tenant's agent commission
Set how commission is handled if a prospect comes with their own agent:
Percent based
Fixed commission
No commission
Contact MLS agent
Utilities included
Select which utilities and services are included in the lease and paid by the landlord:
No vouchers response
Enter the default response RentEngine uses when a prospect asks if housing vouchers are accepted. Make sure this follows your local laws.
Move-in timing
Property can be held for … days — Sets the latest allowed move-in date. If a prospect's preferred move-in date exceeds this window, they can be auto-rejected during prescreening. RentEngine AI also uses this as the upper boundary when answering move-in date questions from prospects.
Move-in can happen within … days — Sets a minimum notice period. Prospects can't request a move-in sooner than this many days from today. For example, if set to 14, a prospect requesting to move in within the next week would fall outside the valid window.
Allow applications without showing — This is an informational setting that tells RentEngine AI and your team whether applications are accepted without a prior showing. It doesn't block or enforce anything on its own. To require a showing before applications, use the Application required for showing setting under Application Visibility instead.
Fees
Move-in fees — Add one-time fees charged at move-in such as an admin fee, lease set up fee, etc. (name + amount in $ or % of rent). Do not include the first month’s rent, application fee or the security deposit here because it is already included.
Monthly fees — Add recurring monthly fees such as a Resident Benefit Package (name + amount in $ or % of rent). Don’t add the monthly rent here.
Hide move-in fees on listings — Toggle this on to hide move-in fee details from public listings.
Unit-level overrides
All portfolio defaults can be adjusted for individual properties during the listing setup flow or by going to Properties > Take action > Edit property and navigating to the Defaults step. Changes made at the unit level only affect that property and don't change your portfolio defaults.