Agents’ trade body Propertymark is urging all lettings professionals to check website contents including consumer information, legal statements and terms and conditions, to ensure they are compliant with the Renters Rights Act.
The body warns: “In some cases, outdated information remains available and indexed within search engine results due to how some website content management systems function.
“Although new and updated information may have been published on appropriate webpages, which form part of a website’s menu and link structure, there is a danger that outdated content may still be available and indexed by search engines.
“Having incorrect individual content accessible on agency websites via search results could risk not being compliant with new expectations.”
Propertymark goes on to warn that the problem becomes even more complex when old redundant information is contained within old PDF files lurking on web servers.
It advises that such files should be fully deleted or correctly managed to ensure they are no longer publicly accessible under any circumstance.
Any such outdated files can remain indexed by popular search engines, even though they don’t form part of current live web pages.
“There is the danger some agencies still have outdated content online that references subjects such as ‘Section 21’ and ‘Fixed Term Tenancies’ in the context that such details remain current tense, posing a sizeable risk for potential confusion and complaints” the body reiterates.
Nathan Emerson, chief executive, comments: “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.
“It now remains essential that agencies perform a full set of ‘safety net’ checks on all available information across all communication channels to ensure compliance.
“A key area of concern is the complexities of how many website content management systems work, and the fact that outdated information remains live and accessible in search engine results.
“To ensure compliance, it is important to fully audit website content and remove not only redundant information on potential physical webpages, but also previous linked PDF files, for example, which now contain either wrong or misleading information, inaccurate terms and conditions and outdated consumer advice.”
