The Smart Property Data Trust Framework sandbox, a government-backed project laying the foundations for a “more efficient, trusted and transparent housing market”, is looking for more conveyancing firms to get involved.
The initiative comes in response to what its creators describe as a property market still reliant on “document-heavy, fragmented processes”, with the aim of moving towards structured data, shared standards and interoperability. The platform is now live and its designers are actively inviting more conveyancers to take part.
Participating firms will allow the project team to assess how their businesses currently handle property data. Firms will be able to assist with testing a move to structured data, by assessing how their systems adopt emerging standards. It will also allow the project team to evaluate the technical infrastructure needed to underpin the regulatory, security and governance standards required for firms accessing and sharing property data.
The sandbox, or testing platform, is a safe, controlled environment designed to test how property data can be securely accessed, shared and reused between accredited participants such as estate agents, conveyancers, lenders, brokers, search providers and technology firms.
It tests real-world use cases, including data provenance, consent management, secure APIs, role definitions and liability models.
Running until October 2026, the project is led by the Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG), a coalition of regulators, government bodies and industry organisations supported by HM Land Registry.
It is funded by a £742,700 award from the Government’s Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, the 12-month project is being delivered by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) in partnership with the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), with support from Raidiam, data from HM Land Registry and oversight from the DPMSG.
Maria Harris, chair, Open Property Data Association, said:
“Smart data will transform the property market, and the sandbox project is building the framework to make it happen. This is no longer a concept, it’s a live testing environment where real processes are put to the test, with findings shared openly across the sector. We’ve received a lot of interest from participants, but we need more conveyancing firms to get involved so we have a balanced representation from across the industry.
“Their expertise and knowledge is crucial so that we can build standards that meet their needs in the real world. Early adopters will gain speed, insight and competitiveness, staying ahead of a market that’s changing faster than ever.”
Findings will be shared publicly at the end of the project, helping the sector understand how trust frameworks can reduce duplication, improve transaction certainty and unlock automation across the property and mortgage lifecycle. Participation will help shape how data is modernised and shared across the UK housing market.
To get involved in the project, firms should contact DPMSG@landregistry.gov.uk.
