The Open Property Data Association has signed new agreements with the Legal Software Suppliers Association and the Conveyancing Association in a move designed to advance digital reform across the home buying and selling process.

The memorandums of understanding set out shared commitments to promote open data standards, improve interoperability between systems and support more transparent and efficient property transactions.

The agreements bring the Open Property Data Association into closer alignment with two influential organisations operating within the legal and conveyancing landscape, as the sector continues to grapple with delays, duplication of work and inconsistent information flows.

DRIVING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The Legal Software Suppliers Association is the UK industry body for developers and vendors of legal software systems. It has been advocating the regulated sharing of open data as part of a wider strategy to improve the efficiency and accuracy of legal processes.

By encouraging common standards and better quality data, the association argues that firms can enhance decision-making and reduce friction in transactions that are still widely criticised for being slow and opaque.

The Conveyancing Association, which represents specialist conveyancers, is already working with OPDA on the Smart Property Data Trust Framework. The initiative is intended to streamline the home moving process and establish clearer trust standards around the use and sharing of property data.

Maria Harris, chair of OPDA, said: “The LSSA and Conveyancing Association represent vital parts of the property eco-system, and are united in the belief that trusted, interoperable and open data sharing is the future of the housing market.

“As we continue to expand our membership, we’re creating a momentum for change in the property industry that will transform the way we buy and sell homes in the UK.”

Kevin Horlock, chief executive of the LSSA, said: “The home-buying system is still designed around traditional thinking and outdated models, and we need to break down some of the cultural resistance to change with the legal sector.

“Firms that prepare their data, modernise their systems and embrace the expectations of today’s clients will take a lead in the market.

“The OPDA is creating the trust framework that will allow this to happen, through the sharing of open data, and we’re eager to support them deliver this change.”

Beth Rudolf, director of delivery at the Conveyancing Association, added: “At the heart of our mission is a drive to improve the home buying and selling process – to reduce delay, cut waste and place quality, reliable information at the start of the process.

“Working alongside the OPDA and its members we can help build the data trust framework to deliver a property market that is quicker, safer, and far less draining for both firms and their clients.”

CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION

The memorandums form part of OPDA’s broader strategy to foster co-operation across estate agency, conveyancing, surveying, lending and technology.

By aligning stakeholders behind common data standards, the association aims to reduce duplication, improve transparency and create a more predictable transaction process.