Estate agents are being urged to speak up as the government launches what could prove to be one of the biggest shake-ups of the housing market in a generation.
The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) is calling on property professionals, including agents, along with consumers to respond to the latest plans aimed at cutting costs, speeding up sales and slashing the number of collapsed deals.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is consulting on proposals that would require sellers and estate agents to be legally forced to hand over key property information up front, while new binding contracts could stop buyers or sellers pulling out at the last minute.
The proposals also call for the introduction of trusted data and digital tools to allow consumers to complete tasks and track progress in real time.
The consultation is open until 29 December.
The OPDA has been campaigning to improve the home buying and selling process, including safe and secure sharing of trusted open property data, and clarity for everyone with upfront information.
Maria Harris, chair of the OPDA, said it was vital that everyone involved in the home moving process – from consumers to conveyancers, intermediaries to lenders – has their say on the government’s proposals.
He commented: “Buying a home shouldn’t take months of uncertainty and stress. But because of outdated processes, duplication and breakdowns in communication, the house moving process now takes twice as long as it did 20 years ago.
“We believe open data and technology standards are essential for transforming the housing market and delivering proven economic benefits, and that’s why we’re working with the industry to campaign for change.
“We have a unique opportunity to deliver the type of transformational change that doesn’t come along very often – let’s make sure we land this one by sharing our views.”
The OPDA’s members include major lenders such as NatWest Group, HSBC, Nationwide and Lloyds Banking Group, as well as intermediaries, surveyors, conveyancers and proptech firms.
To have your say on the home buying and selling reforms, click here.