Question 1

Is Proper Agent only for Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Proper Agent is built specifically for Northern Ireland landlords. The compliance types, notice templates, and deposit deadlines follow the Private Tenancies Act — not generic England & Wales rules.

Question 2

What does Proper Agent automate?

Accepted Answer

Compliance items are auto-created when you add properties and tenancies, tenancy notices are generated from your data, rent charges can be generated on schedule, AI triages tenant issues into tickets, in-app reminders track certificate and rent due dates, bank accounts can be connected to import transactions, tenancy applications and referencing are available with income verification, prescribed information notices and agreement signing requests are sent by email, and Making Tax Digital for UK property income is available from the Tax dashboard.

Question 3

Who is Proper Agent for?

Accepted Answer

Portfolio landlords managing roughly 5–20 properties without a full property-management team. If you're switching between legal deadlines, tenant messages, and property records under time pressure, Proper Agent is built for you.

Question 4

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Create an account to start a 14-day Portfolio trial — no credit card required. Add your first property and Proper Agent seeds the correct compliance checklist automatically. Invite tenants with a 6-digit access code for the mobile app.

Question 5

Can I migrate from spreadsheets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Add your properties one at a time and Proper Agent will seed the correct compliance checklist for each. There's no bulk import yet, but setup is straightforward property by property.

Question 6

How do I get started as a new landlord?

Accepted Answer

Create a free account, add your first property, and Proper Agent will seed the correct NI compliance checklist automatically. Invite your tenant with a 6-digit access code. No credit card required.

Question 7

How much does it cost to start?

Accepted Answer

The Starter plan is £15/month (or £150/year) for up to 5 properties. It includes full NI compliance tracking, tenant messaging, rent ledger, generated notices, and the tenant mobile app.

Question 8

What data does your agent access?

Accepted Answer

Your agent reads your live portfolio data — properties, tenancies, compliance items, rent ledger, and maintenance tickets. It does not access data from other landlords or make up information.

Question 9

How does tenant issue triage work?

Accepted Answer

Tenants open the mobile app and describe their problem in plain English. Your agent asks clarifying questions, collects details and photos, then creates a maintenance ticket on your dashboard for review and action.

Question 10

Which plan includes the AI agent?

Accepted Answer

Your AI agent and tenant issue triage are available on Portfolio (£14.99/month) and Fully Managed (£79.99/month). Basic includes MTD and core tools for a single property without AI.

Question 11

How do tenants report issues?

Accepted Answer

Tenants open the Proper Agent mobile app, describe their problem in plain English, and your agent guides them through follow-up questions. A ticket appears on your dashboard when complete.

Question 12

Do I need to approve tickets?

Accepted Answer

Tickets appear on your dashboard for review. You decide how to action each issue — arrange repairs, contact contractors, or message the tenant for more detail.

Question 13

Which plan includes issue triage?

Accepted Answer

AI issue triage is available on Portfolio and Fully Managed. Basic includes core compliance and messaging without AI triage.

Question 14

Which compliance items does Proper Agent track?

Accepted Answer

Proper Agent tracks landlord registration, EPC, gas safety certificates, EICR, smoke and CO alarm confirmation, deposit protection (28-day deadline), HMO licence, and fitness certificates. Items are auto-created based on your property and tenancy type.

Question 15

How do compliance reminders work?

Accepted Answer

You can configure reminder windows at 7, 14, 30, and 60 days before a certificate expires. Reminders appear in your dashboard and keep you ahead of deadlines across your entire portfolio.

Question 16

Is this specific to Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Compliance types, deadlines, and notice requirements follow the Private Tenancies Act and NI-specific regulations — not generic England & Wales rules.

Question 17

Which notice types can Proper Agent generate?

Accepted Answer

Proper Agent generates Tenancy Information Notices and Notices of Variation from your recorded tenancy data. Both are aligned with the Private Tenancies Act.

Question 18

Can Proper Agent send notices automatically?

Accepted Answer

Prescribed information notices can be emailed directly to tenants from your property dashboard. Tenancy agreements can be sent for e-signing by email with automatic reminders. Other notice types can be downloaded or shared when ready.

Question 19

Can I customise reminder timing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Configure reminder windows at 7, 14, 30, and 60 days before expiry. Reminders appear in your dashboard for each compliance item.

Question 20

Does Proper Agent track the 28-day deposit deadline?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you record a tenancy start date and deposit amount, Proper Agent tracks the 28-day protection deadline under the Private Tenancies Act.

Question 21

How are reminders delivered?

Accepted Answer

Reminders appear in your Proper Agent dashboard. You can see upcoming and overdue items across your portfolio at a glance.

Question 22

How does Proper Agent handle HMO properties?

Accepted Answer

When you mark a property as HMO, Proper Agent automatically adds HMO licence tracking, fitness certificate requirements, and the appropriate compliance items to your checklist.

Question 23

Which plan includes HMO support?

Accepted Answer

HMO support is included on Growth (£39/month) and Portfolio (£79/month) plans. Starter supports standard buy-to-let properties.

Question 24

Which legislation does Proper Agent follow?

Accepted Answer

Proper Agent follows Northern Ireland's Private Tenancies Act, including deposit protection within 28 days, Tenancy Information Notice requirements, and landlord registration obligations.

Question 25

How does deposit protection tracking work?

Accepted Answer

When you record a deposit on a tenancy, Proper Agent starts a 28-day countdown aligned with the Private Tenancies Act. Reminders alert you before the deadline passes.

Question 26

Can rent charges be automated?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rent charges can be generated on schedule for each tenancy. You can also record one-off charges and see overdue balances at a glance.

Question 27

Can I connect my bank account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Connect UK bank accounts from the Finance dashboard to import transactions via Plaid. Sync income and expenses on demand and view cashflow alongside your rent ledger.

Question 28

Does Proper Agent support Making Tax Digital?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Proper Agent supports Making Tax Digital for Income Tax for UK property landlords. You can classify rental income and expenses, connect to HMRC, submit quarterly updates, and complete year-end steps from the Tax dashboard. Add records manually or import bank statement CSV files when bank feeds are unavailable. Self-employment and foreign property income are not supported — use other HMRC-compatible software for those sources.

Question 29

Which bank accounts can I connect?

Accepted Answer

Proper Agent supports UK bank accounts via Plaid. Connect accounts you use for rental income and property expenses from the Finance dashboard.

Question 30

Is bank connection secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bank connections use Plaid, a regulated open banking provider. Proper Agent does not store your bank login credentials.

Question 31

Does Proper Agent match transactions to tenancies?

Accepted Answer

Imported transactions appear in your Finance dashboard for review and classification. You can link income to tenancies and expenses to properties as you reconcile.

Question 32

Who needs to use Making Tax Digital?

Accepted Answer

Landlords with total qualifying income above HMRC thresholds must follow Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Check HMRC guidance for current thresholds and deadlines.

Question 33

Does Proper Agent support self-employment income?

Accepted Answer

Proper Agent supports UK property income for MTD. Self-employment and foreign property income are not supported — use other HMRC-compatible software for those sources.

Question 34

How do quarterly updates work?

Accepted Answer

You classify rental income and expenses throughout the quarter, then submit a cumulative quarterly update to HMRC from the Tax dashboard. Proper Agent prepares the figures from your classified records.

Question 35

Can tenants message via email or SMS?

Accepted Answer

Day-to-day tenant messaging is in-app through the Proper Agent dashboard and tenant mobile app. Prescribed information notices and tenancy agreement signing requests are sent by email.

Question 36

Is message history stored?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All in-app conversations are stored securely and linked to the relevant property and tenancy. You can refer back to previous messages at any time.

Question 37

How do tenants get access?

Accepted Answer

You invite tenants from your Proper Agent dashboard. They receive a unique 6-digit access code to sign in to the mobile app — no account creation or password required.

Question 38

Which platforms is the tenant app on?

Accepted Answer

The tenant mobile app is available on iOS and Android. Tenants can view agreements, message you, and report maintenance issues from their phone.

Question 39

What can tenants see in the app?

Accepted Answer

Tenants can view their tenancy agreement, message you directly, and report maintenance issues. They cannot see other tenants' data or your financial records.

Question 40

How many properties can I manage?

Accepted Answer

Basic supports 1 property. Portfolio and Fully Managed include unlimited properties. All paid plans include core property and tenancy management features.

Question 41

Does Proper Agent support HMO properties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. HMO properties get additional compliance items including HMO licence tracking and fitness certificates.

Question 42

How does tenancy referencing work?

Accepted Answer

Create an application window for a property, share the apply link with prospective tenants, and review submissions in your dashboard. Applicants can verify income through a bank connection and provide references. When you're ready, approve an application to create a tenancy draft.

Question 43

How do I open an application window?

Accepted Answer

From your property dashboard, create an application window and share the apply link with prospective tenants. Applications appear in your dashboard for review.

Question 44

How does income verification work?

Accepted Answer

Applicants connect their bank account through a secure open banking flow. You receive affordability evidence to support your letting decision.

Question 45

What happens when I approve an applicant?

Accepted Answer

Approving an application creates a tenancy draft with property and applicant details pre-filled. You review and complete the tenancy setup from there.

Question 46

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New accounts get a 14-day Portfolio trial with AI features, MTD support, and unlimited properties. After the trial, choose Basic (£5.99/month), Portfolio (£14.99/month), or Fully Managed (£79.99/month).

Question 47

Can I change plans later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. Changes take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.

Question 48

Is there a discount for annual billing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Annual billing saves roughly two months compared to monthly — Basic £59.99/year, Portfolio £149.99/year, Fully Managed £799.99/year.

Question 49

How is my data stored?

Accepted Answer

Your portfolio data is stored securely with encrypted connections. Documents are held in private storage with signed download URLs. We never share your tenancy or financial data with third parties.

Question 50

Is Proper Agent GDPR compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Proper Agent processes personal data in accordance with UK GDPR. Tenant and landlord data is stored securely and never shared with third parties without consent.

Question 51

Can I export my data?

Accepted Answer

You can access and export your portfolio data at any time. Contact support if you need assistance with a full data export.

Question 52

What happens if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

You can request deletion of your account and associated data. We retain data only as long as necessary to provide the service or as required by law.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started

AI agent & issue triage

Compliance & notices

Rent, banking & tax

Tenants & applications

Pricing & plans

Data & security

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