The Intermediary – July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 39
RESIDENTIAL
Rapid reaction
Nick Hale
CEO at Movera
These reforms represent a significant step
forward in modernising the process and
improving outcomes for both consumers and
the industry. Encouraging earlier commitment
to transactions – along with wider adoption of
digital identity checks, electronic signatures and
the responsible use of AI – has the potential
to reduce friction, improve certainty and hep
transactions progress more smoothly.
These steps complement the work we have
been doing within Movera and its brands to
implement digital tools from the outset and
improve transaction outcomes. We have invested
in NPTN, working alongside partners such as
Connells Group, because we believe a connected,
end-to-end digital process can help deliver these
and access to the information they need from
the outset.
OPDA has been laying the foundations for
the future of the property market through the
development of free and open smart property
data standards and by bringing together lenders,
conveyancers, estate agents, technology firms,
regulators and Government.
International examples have already shown
what can be achieved through digitisation
and data sharing. By working collaboratively
across the industry, we have an opportunity to
build a modern, fit-for-purpose property system
that works better for everyone, improves the
emotional and financial wellbeing of consumers
and supports a more sustainable and efficient
housing market.
Claire Van der Zant
CEO at Novus Strategy
benefits at scale. This Government-level support
for broader adoption will be important in
This is the most impactful example yet of
driving consistency across the sector and giving
Government intervention that will drive the
firms of all sizes the confidence to embrace
change everyone has been asking for. What it
trusted digital solutions.
will mean is the complete reorganisation of
Maria Harris
of each transaction from day one. It will be
chair of the Open Property Data
the customer journey for those on both sides
unrecognisable in the most exciting way.
Sellers are desperate for more commitment
Association (OPDA)
and buyers will insist on more information up
Customers have made it clear that the current
The entire industry must figure out how they will
front, but you can’t have one without the other.
process isn’t fit for purpose and doesn’t meet
stop repeating each other’s work, and be part
their expectations. We welcome the commitment
of a brave new world where information doesn’t
to creating a modern, digital-first property
arrive later than it should or get stuck in a way
market that puts homebuyers and sellers at the
that creates delay. If you front load everything,
heart of the process.
Providing key information upfront through
the waterfall process we have at the moment
vanishes, and fall-throughs with it. Only then
digital sales packs, introducing earlier binding
will buyers have enough upfront information to
agreements and embracing technologies
make an earlier, binding commitment.
such as digital identity checks and AI-assisted
conveyancing are exactly the kinds of changes
Work to make sure information flows
across organisational boundaries has already
needed to deliver faster transactions, greater
started with various public and private sector
transparency and fewer fall-throughs. Smart
initiatives trialling what a new world based on
data has the power to transform how we buy and
transparency and readily available data might
sell property, creating safer and more secure
look like. What the Government’s intervention
processes, reducing duplication and raising
now signals is a recognition of the role it must
standards across the sector. The Government’s
play when change on this scale is required and
recognition of our work to prove that not only
confirmation that this is the right direction.
is this achievable, but it also fundamentally
It will be shaped by departments like DBT
transforms the process, is testament to our
around Smart Data, but they’re using their
ongoing collaboration.
influence to create clear expectations that will
OPDA’s latest report found that 86% of home
ultimately unblock delays and fall throughs
movers support the introduction of a digital
at critical points in the process. The four-week
property pack, demonstrating the clear appetite
acceleration in completion times promises to be
among consumers for a better way of moving
transformational, but the reforms could have an
home. People want certainty, transparency
even bigger impact than that.
July 2026 | The Intermediary
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