Scheme could have radical implications for property industry

The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) is calling on all those involved in the property industry to respond to the Government’s call for evidence for smart data and be part of the wider reform of property data sharing, which aims to improve transaction times and certainty for buyers.

The Smart Data Multi-Sector Call for Evidence has been published by the Department for Business and Trade and seeks views on how Smart Data schemes could be developed across a number of sectors, including property, to allow the secure access, sharing and use of data through common standards and trust frameworks. The response will be used to inform future policy development, scheme design and potential regulatory proposals.

The consultation is open until 1 October 2026 and comes shortly after the publication of the Government’s Home Buying and Selling Roadmap, led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), which outlines a wider ambition for transforming property transactions.

The OPDA leads the development of the technical standards and trust framework that underpin smart property data sharing. It is encouraging anyone involved in the property sector to engage and help shape the decisions that will affect buying and selling in the future.

Maria Harris, chair of the OPDA, said: “The Government is seeking evidence on how Smart Data should be applied across a number of sectors, including property, and it is vital that our industry engages with that process.

“Too often we hear stakeholders say they weren’t aware that consultations were taking place or that decisions were made without sufficient industry input. This is the opportunity to make your voice heard.”

A clear direction of travel

“The Home Buying and Selling Roadmap has established a clear direction of travel for property transactions. Smart Data is one of the mechanisms that turns that vision into reality by enabling secure and trusted access to the information that consumers, professionals and organisations need.”

She admitted that the array of approaches to smart data can be confusing but said involvement was key. “Property is a complex ecosystem and there are many organisations, working groups, industry bodies and government departments involved in different aspects of data, digitisation and reform. We recognise that this can sometimes feel confusing for stakeholders,” she said.

“What is important to understand is that the Government’s Smart Data programme provides the overarching legislative, policy and governance framework through which data-sharing schemes will be launched. The work being undertaken across the property sector – including the delivery of the Home Buying and Selling Roadmap and the development of smart property data standards – can help inform how those Smart Data schemes are designed and implemented.

“That is why we are encouraging every organisation with an interest in shaping the future of property data to read the consultation and submit a response.”