Learn more about how reference checks work → Applications & Screening
Product Updates: Week 27
Reference checks now carry the applicant's signed permission, the Agent Performance report adds five new columns, and Market Tool picks up year built on comp listings.
Jul 08, 2026
Contents
Rental applicationsWhen a landlord or employer receives a reference check, they can now see the applicant's signed permission to be contactedSend reference requests automatically or hold them until you're readyIncomplete rental applications now archive automatically when a property goes off marketMarket ToolYear built now appears on comp listings in Market Tool ShowingsChange a showing's type at the unit level or per individual showingAgents running accompanied showings can set a home location so drive-time routing starts from the right placeReportingNew Agent Performance report columnsMobile appAI messages The biggest updates this week are around rental applications and references. When a landlord or employer receives a reference check link, they can now see the applicant's signed consent before they answer a single question. Property managers also get a new toggle to hold reference requests until they're ready to send them, rather than firing the moment an application submits.
Alongside that: the Agent Performance report picks up five new columns, Market Tool now shows year built on comp listings, agents can set a home location for accompanied showing windows, and you can now change the type of an individual showing without touching the property settings.
Here's what's new in RentEngine.
Rental applications
When a landlord or employer receives a reference check, they can now see the applicant's signed permission to be contacted
When a landlord or employer opens a reference check link, they can now view a "Reference Contact Permission" document — the applicant's own signed consent from when they submitted their application. It shows their name, the consent language, their signature, the timestamp, and the IP address and device the signature came from. There's a Download PDF button for anyone who wants to keep a record.
This matters because reference contacts — especially small landlords and individual employers — are often cautious about sharing information on an unsolicited request. Showing them the applicant's signed permission up front removes that friction and makes it more likely they'll complete the check.
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Send reference requests automatically or hold them until you're ready
A new toggle in the Automated References settings gives property managers control over when reference requests go out. The default is automatic — requests fire the moment an application is submitted, the same as before. Turn it off and nothing goes out until you send them manually, which is useful when you want to review an application before reaching out to a prospect's landlord or employer.
Where to find it: Settings > Rental App Templates > References.
Incomplete rental applications now archive automatically when a property goes off market
When a property is taken off market, any incomplete applications for it — applications that were started but never submitted — automatically archive 72 hours later. They don't disappear, but they move out of your active view so the dashboard stays clean without any manual cleanup.
Market Tool
Year built now appears on comp listings in Market Tool
Year built now shows on comp listing cards in Market Tool, alongside price, beds, baths, and square footage. Coverage is roughly 50% of listings — it depends on whether the listing source includes it — and fills going forward as listings are refreshed. For properties where age is a meaningful comp factor, whether that's older stock with higher maintenance exposure or newer builds commanding a premium, this adds context that rent alone doesn't.
Showings
Change a showing's type at the unit level or per individual showing
Showing type can now be changed per individual showing, not only at the property level. If you have a self-guided unit but need to run one accompanied showing for a specific prospect, you can do that without changing the setting for the whole property. Changing the type at the unit level still works — and will prompt a confirmation asking whether to update all currently scheduled showings at the same time.
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More on managing showings → Showings
Agents running accompanied showings can set a home location so drive-time routing starts from the right place
Agents can now save a home location in their personal showing settings. RentEngine uses that address when calculating drive time at the start of each showing window, so the first showing slot of the day is always within a realistic travel distance. The setting also lets you configure an appointment buffer and the timezone for saving availability.
Where to find it: Settings > Showings > Personal.
Reporting
New Agent Performance report columns
The Agent Performance report picks up five new columns this week: median call length (in minutes), time to first human contact (averaged across all prospects for each agent), number of prospects with unanswered messages still open, inbound calls answered vs. missed, outbound calls made, and percentage of completed showings where the prospect left feedback. Together they give a clearer view of how quickly and consistently each agent is engaging prospects.
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More on RentEngine reporting → Reporting
Mobile app
AI messages
AI messages in the phone app now show a clear label so you can tell at a glance which replies were sent by RentEngine AI. Any labeled message can be flagged for review with the same "Report Issue" flow that exists on desktop — without leaving the conversation or switching devices.
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