Hundreds of agents have been affected by a software switch after a dispute between the distributors and developer of the Rentman package.

Many have been left struggling to work with a replacement ‘white label’ system supplied by GNB and complain their business has been severely disrupted.

Acrimonious dispute

Rentman Software Ltd, which was the UK distributor for Rentman, has split from developer Nigel Gomm after 30 years in an acrimonious dispute over the business. The Neg reported on the change of distributor last month.

And the Rentman application was abruptly dropped by Rentman Software Ltd last week, after Gomm had given notice of his intention to distribute it in the UK himself.

Scrambling

Now, agents are scrambling to either adapt to the new GNB system, or strike their own deal directly with Canada-based Gomm to continue using Rentman.

More than 400 agents were using Rentman in the UK, with 1,400 users.

Russell Bennett, Director at QuDe Lettings in Grays, Essex, told The Neg he was considering legal action.

I am paying my staff to be here and they can’t do their jobs effectively.”

“The effect this has had on us and others is unbelievable. I am paying my staff to be here and they can’t do their jobs effectively.

“I have had landlords chasing us for rent and they assumed it is us. Confidence can never be replaced in these circumstances,” he said.

Bennett, who plans to stick with Rentman, says his firm made the switch to GNB’s system last year and experienced problems with it.

“I am considering legal action once the actual cost of this has been realised, I also question them taking our data and giving it to a company we have not asked or permitted it to go to.”

Very concerned

And Peter Clark, Director at Peter Clark Property Services in County Durham, told The Neg he has remained with Rentman after contacting Nigel Gomm.

“It has been a week since Rentman was switched off without warning and we were left with a helpline which was repeatedly not answered. And emails not answered.

“I am still not entirely sure why all this has happened, but for now after a frantic week we can look after our customers again.”

Notice period

Gomm issued a statement saying he gave Rentman Software Ltd four months’ notice on 15 January 2025 of his intention to take over as UK distributor on 15 May 2025.

He says he has been able to get more than 500 users back online with Rentman through his own dotGomm platform since it was switched off in the UK on Thursday last week.

“I was incredulous when he [Scott Emmons, MD at Rentman Software Ltd] just switched off the Rentman servers.

“In my opinion, the switching off of the servers put customers’ businesses at risk,” he says.

“I cannot express how horrified I am that a community of businesses, some who have been loyal to the Rentman product since its inception in the 90’s, have been treated with such contempt.”

Gary Whittaker, Director, and Scott Emmons, MD, at Rentman Software Ltd have been approached for comment.