Brokers are being encouraged to prepare for a fundamental change in how property data is created, shared and reused across the housing market.
The Open Property Data Association has called on brokers to engage with a new government-backed initiative aimed at laying the foundations for a smarter, more data-driven property market.
The appeal comes as development begins on the Smart Property Data Trust Framework sandbox, a 12-month project designed to test the technical, governance and security requirements needed to support trusted property data at scale.
The project has received £742,700 in funding from the government’s Regulators’ Pioneer Fund and is being delivered by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers in partnership with the Open Property Data Association.
Technology firm Raidiam is supporting the work, with oversight from the Digital Property Market Steering Group.
The sandbox will act as a controlled testing environment, allowing accredited participants to explore how property data can be accessed and shared securely between organisations such as estate agents, conveyancers, lenders, brokers, search providers and technology firms.
Its focus is on moving the market beyond document-led processes towards structured data supported by common standards and clear governance, with the aim of reducing duplication and improving certainty throughout the transaction process.
Maria Harris (pictured), chair of the Open Property Data Association, said: “We’ve been talking about the digitisation of the property market for a long time, but with this project, the vision starts to become a reality.
“The sandbox approach means the transition from digital property data to smart property data is not just theory but a live proof-of-concept.
“Digitising property transactions isn’t just about moving forms online. Without common standards, clear governance and trusted data sharing, we simply replicate existing inefficiencies in digital form.
“Trust frameworks provide the foundation that allows data to flow safely and reliably across the ecosystem, with confidence for both consumers and professionals.”
The sandbox is testing a series of real-world use cases, including how data provenance is maintained, how consent is managed, how secure APIs operate and how roles and liabilities are defined when data is shared between multiple parties.
Findings from the project will be shared publicly, helping firms across the property and mortgage sectors understand how trust frameworks could support automation, improve transaction certainty and streamline the handling of property data.
The Digital Property Market Steering Group, which brings together regulators, government bodies and industry organisations, is working to ensure that innovation aligns with regulatory requirements and consumer protection expectations.
Brokers are now being encouraged to assess how their businesses currently handle property data and where document-heavy processes could be replaced with structured data. Engagement with testing and working groups is also being promoted as a way for firms to influence how emerging standards are developed.
Harris added: “Now is the time to get involved. The sandbox is an opportunity for the industry to shape how smart property data works in practice and the user experience for consumers and property professionals.
“Early engagement will help firms prepare for a more efficient, transparent and trusted property market.”
Further updates on the project and opportunities to participate will be shared by the Open Property Data Association, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and the Digital Property Market Steering Group as the work progresses.
