Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.
Goodlord Withdraws Incorrect Tenant Information Sheet Guidance
Property technology firm Goodlord has removed content from its website after publishing inaccurate guidance regarding the mandatory tenant information sheet required under the Renters’ Rights Act. The error was identified by Paul Lee, a London-based letting agent at Paul Lee & Company, ahead of the 31st May deadline for landlords and agents to distribute the new information sheet to existing tenants.
Goodlord’s website had incorrectly stated that the How To Rent Guide for Assured Shorthold Tenancies had been replaced by the new information sheet. In reality, the information sheet applies only to existing tenants transitioning to assured periodic tenancies under the new legislation, while the How to Rent Guide has been withdrawn without replacement.
Compliance Requirements for Letting Agents
The Official Information Sheet must be provided to tenants if their tenancy is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy created before 1st May 2026, or if there is a wholly or partly written record of terms, including a written tenancy agreement. The document outlines changes to Section 21 notices, rent increases, fixed terms, tenancy termination procedures, student lets, and pet ownership rights.
Paul Lee warned that relying on incorrect guidance could be a costly mistake for agents. Failure to comply with the 31st May deadline could result in fines of up to £7,000.
A Goodlord spokesperson acknowledged the error, stating that the blog post had been reviewed and the confusing content was removed as soon as it was identified. The blog has since been updated.
The Written Statement of Terms, a separate requirement, applies to new tenants or existing tenants without an existing tenancy agreement. Industry professionals have raised concerns about the complexity of the new documentation requirements and the potential for process-related issues as the sector adapts to the new regulatory framework.
Letting agents and landlords are advised to verify compliance requirements directly with official government guidance rather than relying solely on third-party interpretations.
Source: PropertyWire