OPDA reacts to April's property transaction data

29 May 2026

Maria Harris, chair of the Open Property Data Association, reacting to April’s property transaction data:

“While transaction levels remain under pressure, the more telling issue is the pace at which the system operates. With the average completion taking around 17 weeks, the home moving process continues to be too slow and complex for the needs of today’s consumers.

“What we are seeing is not just a cyclical slowdown, but the impact of an outdated system struggling to support a modern housing market. We need to accelerate the shift towards a more digital, data-driven home buying process – one that improves speed, certainty and trust for consumers.

“We eagerly await the outcomes of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation, which has recognised many of these challenges. The publication of its findings is an important next step in defining how the market can be reformed.”