RentFig vs Goodlord: a landlord's alternative
The biggest difference between RentFig and Goodlord isn't price — it's who they're for. Goodlord is an operating system for letting agentsand doesn't sell directly to individual landlords, so referencing through it normally means going via an agent. RentFig is built for landlords directly: a free application form and pay-per-check referencing at £9 (credit) or £19 (full), no account, no agent. This page compares them fairly.
The key difference: who each is built for
Goodlord is widely regarded as excellent referencing software — but it's sold to letting agencies, not to self-managing landlords. If you use a letting agent, your reference may well run through Goodlord behind the scenes. If you don'tuse an agent, you can't simply buy a single Goodlord reference the way you can with a direct-to-landlord service. That's the gap RentFig fills.
RentFig vs Goodlord at a glance
A side-by-side comparison for tenant referencing. Prices are paid by the landlord (the Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans charging the tenant) and are indicative — confirm current details on each provider's own site.
| Feature | RentFig | Goodlord |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's sold to | Landlords directly — sign up and use it yourself | Letting agents — Goodlord does not sell directly to individual landlords |
| Can a solo landlord use it without an agent? | Yes | No — you'd reference through a letting agent that uses Goodlord |
| Referencing price (paid by landlord) | £9 credit check / £19 full reference (£7 / £17 for members) | Not published — set by the agent's Goodlord contract (typically £20–£40 via the agent) |
| Free application form | Yes — collect the tenant's details and consent at no cost | Via the agent's onboarding flow, not a standalone landlord tool |
| Account / subscription | No account or subscription — pay per check | Agent platform subscription (the agent's, not the landlord's) |
| What a full reference checks | ID, credit history, income & affordability, employer & previous-landlord references, Right to Rent (England), anti-fraud | Comprehensive reference: credit, affordability, employment and previous-landlord checks |
| Turnaround | Usually within 48 hours | Fast — around 30% instant, most within 24–72 hours |
| Ongoing property management | Yes — tenancies, rent chasing, compliance tracking, accounting, AI assistant | A lettings platform for agents (referencing, rent, insurance, e-signing) |
| Best for | Self-managing landlords who want cheap, direct, no-account referencing and software to run their portfolio | Letting agencies automating pre-tenancy admin across many landlords' properties |
Goodlord details summarised from goodlord.com, checked June 2026 (it sells to letting agents, not directly to individual landlords; pricing is set by the agent's contract). RentFig figures are our own (disclosure: RentFig is our product).
Where RentFig wins for a self-managing landlord
- You can actually buy it directly — no letting agent in the middle; sign up and reference a tenant yourself.
- Transparent, low per-check pricing — £9 credit / £19 full, published up front, with a free application form to start.
- It runs the tenancy too — rent chasing, compliance, accounting and an AI assistant, not just pre-tenancy referencing.
Where Goodlord is the better fit
If you're a letting agency— or a landlord who prefers a full managing agent — Goodlord is built for that world: a polished agent platform spanning referencing, rent collection, insurance and e-signing across many landlords' properties, with very fast reference turnaround. RentFig isn't an agent operating system and doesn't try to be. The honest split: use an agent? Goodlord may already power your references. Self-manage? RentFig lets you do it yourself, directly and cheaply.
FAQ
Can I use Goodlord as a landlord without a letting agent?
Generally no. Goodlord sells its platform to letting agents rather than directly to individual landlords, so to reference a tenant through Goodlord you would normally need to instruct a letting agent that uses it. If you self-manage and want to reference a tenant yourself, a direct-to-landlord service like RentFig is a closer fit — you can send a free application form and run a check without an agent or an account. (Disclosure: RentFig is our product; Goodlord's model is summarised from goodlord.com, checked June 2026.)
How much does Goodlord referencing cost compared with RentFig?
Goodlord does not publish a per-reference price for landlords because it is bought by agents under a platform contract; landlords typically pay their agent, often around £20–£40 per applicant. RentFig charges the landlord directly: £9 for a credit check and £19 for a full reference, with no account or subscription and a free application form to start.
Is RentFig a Goodlord alternative?
For a self-managing landlord, yes — RentFig covers the referencing job Goodlord is known for (credit, affordability, employment, previous-landlord and Right to Rent checks) but sells to you directly and per check. It is not an alternative for a letting agency that needs a full agent operating system; that is Goodlord's market. If you don't use a letting agent, RentFig lets you reference and manage tenancies yourself.
Is Goodlord's referencing better than RentFig's?
Both provide a comprehensive reference and fast turnaround (Goodlord reports around 30% instant and most within 24–72 hours; RentFig usually completes within 48 hours). The practical difference is access and price: Goodlord reaches landlords through an agent under a quoted contract, whereas RentFig is bought directly for £9/£19 per check with no account. Which is 'better' depends on whether you use a letting agent.
Can the tenant be charged for referencing with either?
No. Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, charging a tenant for referencing is a banned fee in England — the landlord or agent must pay. That applies whether the reference runs through Goodlord (via an agent) or directly through RentFig.
See how every UK option compares in our cheapest tenant referencing guide, or start now with the free tenant referencing tool.
Disclaimer:This comparison is general information for UK landlords, not legal or financial advice. RentFig is our own product; Goodlord is an independent company and its details are summarised from its public website and may change — always confirm current pricing, availability and what's included directly with the provider.