In a bid to streamline and enhance the home buying and renting processes, digital innovation takes center stage with the Geospatial Commission’s recent paper. Aligned with commitments from HM Land Registry and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC), the goal is to provide crucial information digitally to homebuyers and establish a reliable Private Rented Property Portal to weed out criminal landlords and elevate standards in the sector.
Why Data Matters in the Property Market
In a thriving property market, accurate information is the backbone of success. With an ever-increasing demand for homes, an all-encompassing data strategy emerges as a game-changer, not only optimizing sales and rental processes but also heightening client satisfaction.
Embracing Digital Transformation
Currently, the average conveyancing process takes a staggering 150 days. In England and Wales, residential transactions involve reviewing a whopping 163 different data sets. To combat this, the Home Buying and Selling Group, in collaboration with representatives from the property industry including Propertymark, has devised the ‘Buying and Selling Property Information’ (BASPI) dataset, envisioned to be the ultimate source of upfront property information.
By making data more readily available earlier in the buying process, the Geospatial Commission anticipates a decline in late-stage transaction failures. Armed with comprehensive information, professionals and consumers can make well-informed decisions upfront, paving the way for smoother transactions. Not to be left out, renters will also benefit from better decision-making capabilities, empowered to check a landlord’s regulatory compliance and access reliable property condition information.
Strategizing for a Fully Digital Property Market
Taking the lead in this digital revolution, HM Land Registry’s Strategy 2022+ aims to expedite homebuyers’ journeys by harnessing the power of cutting-edge digital tools and solutions. The vision is to unlock the potential of a fully digital property market, reducing delays and providing unparalleled efficiency.
Private Rented Sector Database: Empowering Renters
In line with the Renters (Reform) Bill, the UK Government is pioneering a new private rented sector database in England. Private landlords letting properties will be required to register vital property details on this platform. The database, in conjunction with the Privately Rented Property Portal digital service, strives to reduce the number of substandard rented homes by 50% by 2030, and empower local authorities to enforce sector standards.
The Privately Rented Property Portal will empower both landlords and tenants. For landlords, it will aid in understanding and demonstrating compliance with legal requirements. For tenants, it will provide comprehensive information before they decide to rent a property and throughout their renting journey, ensuring transparency and confidence in their choices.
Unleashing the Power of Proptech: A Cyber-Overhaul
Despite the property market’s significant contribution to the UK economy, it remains predominantly reliant on traditional, analog interactions. Proptech, the innovative sector already flourishing in the UK, presents a golden opportunity for transformation. Leveraging location data, services, and applications can drive significant advancements:
Sustainable Technologies: Property attribute data linked to location, such as building materials and orientation, can facilitate the effective deployment of green technologies like solar panels, heat pumps, and energy-efficient solutions.
Streamlined Development: Insights into ground conditions and local amenities enable identification and faster approval of new property developments.
Accurate Insurance Models: Insurance industries can leverage location data to comprehensively understand a property’s surroundings, including factors like flood risk, traffic, and crime rates, leading to more precise and fair premium models.
The Future Beckons
The digital innovation storm is upon us, reshaping the property market as we know it. With data at the core of this transformation, home buying and renting are set to become more efficient, reliable, and consumer-focused. As the UK embraces the potential of Proptech, the future looks brighter than ever for a thriving, fully digital property market.