With the Autumn Budget on the horizon, the property sector is once again preparing for change. From tax reform to renters’ rights, and the accelerating drive towards digital transactions, this budget could reshape the way homes are bought and sold.
For OPDA, this reinforces what we have said from day one: standards, trust, and collaboration are the foundations of a modern property market. The government’s latest work on digital conveyancing, interoperability, and the Property Data Trust Framework is built on principles our members have been championing for years.
The scale of the challenge is clear:
- Over 300,000 property transactions collapse each year, costing sellers more than £400m and the industry around £1bn in lost time and productivity.
- The average transaction still takes 185 days, compared with 40 days in fully digitised markets like Australia.
- Less than 1% of property data is truly available in digital format, even though 82% of consumers say they would use Digital Property Packs if they were offered.
These inefficiencies are not sustainable, and policymakers know it. With HM Land Registry already digitising millions of land charges and government pilots underway to set data-sharing rules, the shift to open, interoperable standards is no longer theoretical – it’s happening.
“Every collapsed transaction, every lost working day, every frustrated buyer is a symptom of closed, outdated systems. OPDA members are proving that open data is the key to unlocking trust, speed and transparency across the market. By setting these standards today, we’re not only fixing what’s broken – we’re building a property market that works for consumers, supports professionals, and gives policymakers the confidence to make the right decisions.”
— Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Founding Member – OPDA
Now more than ever, OPDA membership is about shaping the frameworks that will define the future of property transactions and ensuring that consumers, professionals, and policymakers can trust the data that underpins them.
👉 Join the OPDA today. Shape the standards, lead the change, and build the future of property.
Learn more about OPDA Membership and the OPDA accreditation process.
