The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has welcomed four new members this month – Novus Strategy & Consulting, Armalytix, Survey Shack and Openproperty – all united in the common goal of transforming the homebuying process through the sharing of digital property information across the mortgage and property industries.
The new members join existing members including NatWest Group, HSBC, Nationwide, Lloyds Banking Group, Atom Bank, PEXA, Movera and Coadjute.
Since its launch, the OPDA has delivered open property data standards and models for trustable and shareable data. The free and open-source tools have been created and tested in collaboration with every sector across the property industry.
Those using the OPDA’s data standards for digital property packs have seen the time reduced from mortgage offer and purchase accepted to exchange of contracts within 15 days.
Earlier this month, the OPDA announced the launch of its accreditation programme for members. Accredited status confirms a member’s commitment to the OPDA’s core principles, including the promotion of open standards, ethical data use and a shared vision for a more efficient and connected property ecosystem.
With over three decades of hands-on experience in the estate agency sector, Maxine Wilson, CEO of Openproperty, has witnessed first-hand the systemic challenges that continue to plague the property buying and selling process in the UK.
She said: “The property transaction process in this country has long been broken. Having spent over 30 years at the coalface of the industry, I can honestly say the experience for consumers has been nothing short of horrific. The stress, the delays, the red tape — it’s simply unacceptable in the 21st century.
“What excites me about ODPA is their laser focus on tackling the structural issues — not just the symptoms. Real change only comes when we get to the root of the problem, and OPDA is doing just that."
Survey Shack is the UK’s first self-survey app for residential properties, offering guided condition assessments for sellers, buyers and estate agents.
Brett Ray, co-founder of Survey Shack, commented: “Survey Shack was built to challenge the status quo of property surveys, using technology to make essential condition data more accessible and actionable. Our aim is to educate homeowners to get sale-ready and enable residents to carry out vital property health checks – in doing so, we improve outcomes for buyers, reduce delays for agents, and provide a new standard that reflects the needs of future generations. OPDA’s mission aligns perfectly with ours, and we’re proud to support a faster, more transparent, and digitally connected property market.”
Mike Ward, executive chair of Armalytix, added: “Motivated by the belief that there is a better way, Armalytix has been working with the brightest and most forward-looking legal firms to use smart technology for precision client data information. Joining OPDA is a natural extension of this, being able to work with the best minds from across the sector to fulfil the potential of open property data and make it work for all.”
Novus is a strategic and technology consultancy supporting lenders, conveyancers and proptechs to achieve Horizontal Digital Integration (HDI) through interoperability across the ecosystem, cutting property transactions in half and unlocking £millions in growth.
Claire Van der Zant, CEO at Novus Strategy & Consulting, said: “Novus is proud to join the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) in our shared mission to re-engineer the property industry for the benefit of all stakeholders, especially home buyers and sellers. Being part of the OPDA and contributing to the development of open data and technology standards is not just an opportunity for Novus; it is a vital commitment. With a unique vantage point across the property ecosystem, Novus is in a prime position to support OPDA’s efforts and, through close collaboration with its members, facilitate the adoption of these standards. This will be key in driving Horizontal Digital Integration (HDI), unlocking new levels of growth and innovation across the industry.”
