OPDA comment on HMRC's property transaction data

30 April 2026

Maria Harris, chair of the Open Property Data Association, commented:

“The fall in transaction volumes compared with this time last year points to a more fundamental problem in the housing market: people are choosing not to move. Our research shows that two thirds of home movers found the process so frustrating that they would avoid doing it again. In a period of heightened market volatility, that reluctance only intensifies, with more households putting moving plans on hold altogether.

“The current housing system actively discourages movement. It is slow, fragmented and reliant on static documents, creating unnecessary friction, cost and uncertainty for consumers. This is not a short term confidence issue, it is a structural one.

“At OPDA, our vision is to modernise the property system so it is fit for purpose in a digital economy, one that puts consumers at the centre of their transaction, gives them control of their data, and enables the sector to work together more effectively. Rebuilding trust in home moving is critical if we want a more dynamic, resilient housing market.”