Why Your Highest-Risk Properties Should Always Appear First
Why Your Highest-Risk Properties Should Always Appear First
Note: This article describes a known gap identified in v0.1.174 and the improvements planned to address it. The 'Needs attention' filter tab and
risk_descdefault sort are not yet live.
The Problem with 'Newest First'
When you open your properties list, you want to know one thing immediately: which properties need your attention right now?
Under the current default sort ('Newest First'), that question is hard to answer. A property added three years ago with an unprotected deposit sits far down the list, behind recently added properties that may have no issues at all. Health badges are visible on each card, but only once you've scrolled to them.
This is a meaningful compliance risk. Under the Renters' Rights Act, unprotected deposits and unresolved disputes carry real legal and financial consequences. The sooner you see them, the sooner you can act.
What 'Highest Risk First' Looks Like
The planned risk_desc sort will re-order your properties list using a clear priority:
| Priority | Signal | Field |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Active disputed tenancies | disputedTenancyCount |
| 2nd | Unprotected deposits | unprotectedDepositCount |
| 3rd | Compliance alerts | complianceAlertCount |
| 4th | Most tenancies | tenancyCount |
| 5th | Newest property | createdAt |
Properties with no risk signals will continue to sort by most tenancies, then by newest — so your busiest properties still appear near the top once all urgent items are cleared.
The 'Needs Attention' Filter Tab
Alongside the default sort change, a dedicated 'Needs attention' filter tab is planned for the properties list. This tab will show only properties where at least one of the following is true:
disputedTenancyCount > 0unprotectedDepositCount > 0complianceAlertCount > 0
This gives you a focused, zero-noise view of your portfolio's risk surface — without having to scan every card.
How This Fits the Platform's Mission
Fair, fast, and stress-free tenancy endings depend on catching problems early. Disputed deposits and unprotected schemes don't resolve themselves — they escalate. By surfacing these signals at the top of your dashboard by default, the platform ensures that the properties most likely to generate disputes or compliance failures are always visible and actionable.
Current Workaround
Until the risk_desc sort and 'Needs attention' tab are shipped, you can:
- Use the health badge icons on each property card as a manual scan guide — cards showing a disputed tenancy or unprotected deposit badge require action.
- Sort by 'Most tenancies' to bring your most active properties to the top, which correlates with higher exposure.
- Regularly review the compliance dashboard for a portfolio-wide view of risk signals independent of list sort order.