Everyone in the home buying chain knows where it hurts: missing information, repeated checks, and transactions that stall for weeks. The government’s roadmap for reform promises to fix much of this through digital data standards, and in time those standards will become mandatory. The question for lenders, brokers and conveyancers alike is whether to wait for that moment or act now.

For the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), the answer is clear. At a panel during its annual general meeting in October, industry professionals were urged not to wait for the government to make the standards compulsory. Some of the technology is already gaining traction, notably Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) and reusable digital identity verification.

Panellists included the CLC, HM Land Registry and the Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG) a collaborative body made up of government and industry partners, which has been tasked with delivering the digitalisation aspects of the reforms.

Maria Harris, chair of OPDA, was unequivocal about what the market needs to do: “Organisations cannot afford to sit back and wait for the standards to be mandatory if they want to retain their competitor advantage and customer confidence,” she said.

“Businesses across the property chain need to start preparing now, engaging with the changes, and getting ready for smart data, trust frameworks, and accreditation. This includes digitising data and adopting the voluntary trust and accreditation standards today, Harris added, which will make the home buying process better for everyone.”

The panel all agreed that businesses will need clearer guidance on how the reform changes would work in practice and who would be responsible for delivering the.

So far, we know that six delivery groups have been established within the DPMSG and these industry-wide collaborations will be its “engine”, identifying problems, making recommendations and piloting solutions.

Each of the delivery groups, which sit under two broad headings of customer experience and property infrastructure will have a nominated chair, who will also sit on the strategic steering group.

Customer experience delivery groups concentrate on improving the existing customer experience by seeking enhancements that go beyond technology, proactively anticipating shifts ahead of legislative developments.

These break down further into three sub-groups:

• Digital upfront information: Streamlining transaction data, such as listings, sales packs and property logbooks.
• Searches and local authority data: Providing accessible information and help with the making of informed decisions.
• Education: Focusing on the Digital Property Information Protocol (DPIP) website launch and consumer education efforts.

Property infrastructure delivery groups will focus on creating governance frameworks and technological solutions to facilitate the adoption of digital processes.

These break down into three sub-groups:

Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) and digital verification: Defining the criteria for a reusable digital verification in a property transaction and streamlining anti-money laundering (AML) checks.

Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Promoting sector-wide innovation and establish future-ready property systems, with a focus on digital remortgage, tokenisation and emerging technology, including AI.

Smart Property Data: Working towards the sharing of interoperable, secure and trusted property data, via the Smart Property Data Trust Framework Sandbox and the Smart Property Data scheme.

​The work of the delivery groups will be overseen by the regulatory and international review group and the strategic steering group, plus representatives from wider government organisations.

Expressions of interest from potential members are welcome and can be sent here.

Website revamp

A key part of the DPMSG’s work has been its revamp of its website which contains easy-to-read and accessible guidance for consumers as well as property professionals: everyone from property managers to indemnity insurers are covered.

Each page breaks down the details of the steps and data required in a transaction, with accompanying graphics and guides. The website aims to be an easy reference for all sides to consult during a property transaction.

And while many of the details will be well known to those working in the industry, this will help with demystifying the process for clients, with colour-coded guides and information about the advantages of data sharing.

A Data Use ‘Tube map’ also illustrates the complexity of the current home buying and selling process, showing how multiple professionals and agencies have to continuously interact to obtain and share material information, which the work of the DPMSG now pledges to streamline.

As well as the rejuvenated and updated website, DPSMG’s ongoing work includes:

Digital Property Information Protocol (DPIP): A clear framework for how information is gathered, verified, shared and used throughout a property transaction. The protocol has been developed by the DPMSG with industry collaboration and can be viewed on the DPSMG website.

Smart Property Data Trust Framework: The DPMSG has launched a video explaining smart data. DPMSG members are currently running a proof-of-concept project of how a Smart Property Data Trust Framework would work.

Data standards: The DPMSG explains the findings of its 2025 independent report into data standards and interoperability. The group is also supporting the government’s pilot project to drive common standards adoption, with the report serving as a foundation for ongoing consultation with stakeholders.

The government recognised the DPMSG’s work in its recently unveiled homebuying and selling roadmap, stating that the group is “well-positioned to deliver the change required for reform”, pledging to digitalise the homebuying and selling system.

The individuals and practices we regulate are already embracing new approaches and tools to offer the kind of service we have all come to expect and, as the specialist property regulator, we look forward to continuing our work with them and partners across the sector.

Stephen Ward is director of strategy and external relations at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).