Letting agents across England are being advised to conduct comprehensive reviews of their website content following the implementation of phase one of the Renters’ Rights Act earlier this month, according to Propertymark.
The legislation, described as the most substantial change to rental law in over 30 years, has required agents to update consumer information, legal statements and terms and conditions. However, concerns have emerged that outdated material may remain accessible through search engine results despite updates to main website pages.
Content management system challenges
The issue stems from how certain content management systems store and index legacy pages. While agents may have updated their primary website content, older material can continue to appear in search results, creating potential compliance risks under the new regulatory framework.
The compliance challenge extends beyond live webpages to include archived PDF files stored on web servers. These documents may remain indexed by search engines even when no longer linked through active site structures, requiring agencies to review and remove or restrict access to obsolete materials.
Particular concern centres on documents referencing abolished tenancy concepts such as Section 21 or fixed-term tenancies in ways that suggest they remain current. Such material could lead to client confusion or complaints if left publicly accessible.
Industry response
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said: “The preparation on the lead up to phase one of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force across England has been incredible. It has required immense dedication and planning to ensure the new legislation has been smoothly implemented, and that agents can fully support landlords and tenants across the transformation.”
He added that agencies must now perform comprehensive checks across all communication channels to ensure compliance, noting particular concern about “the complexities of how many website content management systems work, and the fact that outdated information remains live and accessible in search engine results.”
The warning comes as letting agents face additional deposit compliance risks under new regulatory requirements, adding to the operational challenges facing the sector.
Emerson recommended agencies conduct full audits of website content, removing not only redundant information on physical webpages but also linked PDF files containing incorrect or misleading information, inaccurate terms and conditions, and outdated consumer advice.
The compliance requirements represent a significant administrative burden for letting agencies already adapting to the legislative changes, though the extent of non-compliant material across the sector remains unclear.
