The Data (Use and Access) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 23 October 2024. It lays out the legal framework for Digital Verification Services (DVS) in the UK, which are long-awaited tools to speed up property purchases, reduce fraud and improve the experience of home buying and selling.

Since its launch, REACH UK has successfully run four programs, providing startups with unparalleled access to the real estate industry. Backed by strategic investment and partnerships with Propertymark and TDS, the 2025 program continues to offer high-impact support and industry connections, empowering startups to scale and driving innovation in real estate and adjacent sectors.

Propertymark, alongside organisations from the UK property sector, has reopened dialogue with the UK Government to outline three key actions Ministers should consider during this parliament: embedding the Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) in public sector projects, enabling market adoption, and ensuring ethical data use.

Eight companies have been selected to receive investment and support from the REACH UK 2024 technology scale-up program, run by Second Century Ventures (SCV) in partnership with Propertymark and TDS. The project represents a strategic investment in high-potential companies positioned to deliver significant value across the property industry.

The UK Government has set out the actions it will take over the next two years to facilitate the data economy and drive growth and innovation in a range of sectors including the property market. By Summer 2024, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is expected to launch some pilot projects which will inform future digitalisation of the home buying and selling process.

The Home Buying and Selling Group (HBSG) has arranged the test and learn scheme involving a group of lawyers and conveyancers to iron out specific barriers to the adoption and use of logbooks for property transactions. For logbooks to be effective, widespread adoption across the industry is essential, and the HBSG is also planning engagement with surveyors and estate agents.

We’ve formed a landmark co-investment partnership with TDS to boost funding for REACH UK, a technology scale-up program which helps innovative new technology companies grow in the property sector through education, mentorship, and market exposure.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published findings following a public dialogue, with simplicity, keeping control of personal data and robust complaints procedures emerging as key issues for digital identity services.

The UK Government is currently consulting on the implementation of Awaab’s Law, which was passed in response to the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020 from exposure to serious mould in his parents’ social rented home.

Propertymark is a founding member of the Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG) which represents areas of the sector with the greatest potential for accelerated digital adoption. Today, 17 January 2024, sees the group publish its roadmap to drive crucial change in the land and property market, with information sharing, digital ID checks and AI research among the first key priorities.

Further details have emerged from the fine print of the Autumn Budget Statement, which Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, MP, announced on 22 November 2023, with positive news for the mortgage guarantee scheme, proptech and new housing developments.

Proptech offers many valuable benefits to property managers who are prepared to evolve their own habits too. Tech tools aren’t designed to replace the human element, but they can help agents be more efficient, compliant and effective in what they do. It’s important to remember its success is down to a team effort – even the very best proptech still relies on the expertise of inventory clerks, letting agents and landlords to make it work optimally.

We are the sole representative body for estate agents in the Land Registry’s new steering group deciding on the next steps for speeding up property transactions and reducing fall-throughs. The Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG), of which Propertymark is a founding member, wants everyone involved in buying, leasing, and selling land or property to experience a secure, modern market that is transparent, customer and business-friendly at all stages.

A paper from the Geospatial Commission sets out technological support for commitments from HM Land Registry and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to make critical information digitally available to homebuyers and set up a reliable Private Rented Property Portal to raise standards and drive criminal landlords out of the sector.

Following a year of research and development, working collaboratively with Leaders Romans Group (LRG), Inventory Hive has created a new diary-management/maps feature that will be a game changer for coordinating property inspections and visits.