Property industry asks consumers to back shared digital property data to speed up home sales

# What happened The property industry is trying to build consumer support for sharing digital property data to speed up home sales and cut transaction delays. The Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG) created a two-minute video that explains Smart Property Data in plain language and compares it to Open Banking.

# Why the video matters

The DPMSG deliberately avoided technical terms in the new video. Instead it focuses on how consumers would control the sharing of their information, and on showing who holds data and why. The comparison with Open Banking is meant to give consumers a familiar example of authorising secure data sharing.

# Who the campaign targets The DPMSG wants estate agents, conveyancers, lenders and other property businesses to circulate the video so more consumers see it. The group believes industry distribution is essential for broader awareness and uptake.

Stephen Ward, DPMSG member and director of strategy at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, described Smart Property Data as a way to make moving home simpler and faster while keeping consumers in control. He said the short video aims to show this is not technology for technology's sake, but a practical way to remove unnecessary repetition and friction.

# How this fits government plans The campaign follows the government's homebuying reform roadmap, which calls for greater digitisation, interoperability and sharing of trusted property data across transactions. The DPMSG's push for consumer understanding is a practical step to help industry and the public accept those reforms.

# What remains to be settled The article highlights two dependence points: consumer understanding of the system and their confidence in how organisations will handle their information. The DPMSG's strategy is to address those by explaining control and visibility of data in plain terms.

# What to expect next If estate agents and related organisations share the video widely, the campaign could raise consumer awareness quickly. Broader consumer acceptance would likely be required before Smart Property Data becomes widely used in transactions.

# Where to watch

# Bottom line This is an industry-led consumer outreach effort to explain a proposed system for sharing verified property data. Its success depends on clear communication and consumer trust in how their property information will be controlled and shared.