Property businesses are being urged to respond to a government call for evidence that could shape future rules for sharing data during home sales.
The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has called on organisations across the homebuying industry to contribute to the Department for Business and Trade’s Smart Data Multi-Sector Call for Evidence.
The consultation, which covers property and several other sectors, seeks views on how smart data schemes should be developed. Responses will inform future policy, the design of schemes and possible regulatory proposals.
Smart data allows consumers and businesses to access, share and use their information securely through common standards and trust frameworks.
Within the property market, such systems could support the faster and more secure exchange of information, reduce delays and give buyers and sellers greater certainty. They could also provide the infrastructure for a more connected digital homebuying and homeownership process.
The call for evidence follows the publication of the government’s Home Buying and Selling Roadmap. Led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the roadmap proposes greater digitisation and interoperability, alongside mandatory standards for sharing property data.
While the roadmap concentrates on the process of buying and selling homes, the smart data programme has a wider remit. It is examining how trusted data-sharing frameworks could support services across the property market.
OPDA develops technical standards and a trust framework for sharing smart property data. It is seeking responses from the property, mortgage, lending, legal, surveying, valuation, insurance, conveyancing, technology and public sectors.
The association said limited engagement could result in decisions about future property data frameworks being taken without sufficient input from the businesses expected to operate them.
Maria Harris, chair of 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.
“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.”
Harris acknowledged that the number of initiatives concerning digital property data could create uncertainty over where responsibility lay, but said businesses should remain engaged.
She said: “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.
“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.”
OPDA is asking organisations of all sizes to provide evidence, examples of potential uses and practical observations drawn from their experience of property transactions, data sharing, digital maturity and customer outcomes.
The government’s Smart Data Multi-Sector Call for Evidence closes on 1 October 2026.
