Property agents urged to help shape the future of the property market

12 March 2026

Their expertise is needed to help develop the smart property data trust framework sandbox

Property agents are being urged to help shape the future of the property market.

The call comes as work gets underway on the Smart Property Data Trust Framework sandbox, a government-backed project which is laying the foundations for a more efficient, trusted and transparent housing market.

So far, the project has welcomed participants from across the property industry but is calling for more property agents to get involved.

Maria Harris, chair of the Open Property Data Association, one of the project’s lead partners, said:

“Smart data will transform the property market, and the sandbox project is building the framework to make it happen. This is no longer a concept, it’s a live testing environment where real processes are put to the test, with findings shared openly across the sector. We’ve received a lot of interest from participants, but we need more property agents to get involved so we have a balanced representation from across the industry.

“Their expertise and knowledge is crucial so that we can build standards that meet their needs in the real world. Early adopters will gain speed, insight and competitiveness, staying ahead of a market that’s changing faster than ever.”

Funded by a £742,700 award from the Government’s Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, the 12-month project is being delivered by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) in partnership with the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), with support from Raidiam, data from HM Land Registry and oversight from the Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG).

To get involved in the project, firms should contact DPMSG@landregistry.gov.uk.

The sandbox will create a safe, controlled environment to test how trusted property data can be securely accessed, shared and reused between accredited participants such as estate agents, conveyancers, lenders, brokers, search providers and technology firms.

It marks a significant step away from today’s document-heavy, fragmented processes towards structured data, shared standards and interoperability.

Findings will be shared publicly at the end of the project, helping the sector understand how trust frameworks can reduce duplication, improve transaction certainty and unlock automation across the property and mortgage lifecycle.

DPMSG, a coalition of regulators, government bodies and industry organisations, including the OPDA, is playing a central role in aligning industry innovation with regulatory and consumer protection expectations.

For more information on OPDA, visit: https://openpropdata.org.uk/.