The message came during a webinar hosted by LMS’ National Property Transaction Network (NPTN), which brought together industry representatives to discuss the government’s property reform agenda and the increasing role of digitalisation in the home moving process.
Speakers included Beth Rudolf, director of delivery at the Conveyancing Association, Leon Ifayemi, director of coalitions and research at the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT), and Maria Harris, chair of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA).
Opportunity to influence future policy
Speakers highlighted the importance of industry participation as the government develops its smart data framework, with the first smart data schemes expected to be operational by 2030.
Harris said professionals should play a key role in shaping reforms, so proposals reflect the realities of day-to-day transactions.
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She said: “A huge amount of input into getting these things right is having frontline business and operational people in the room. We can shape proposals around real transactions and what obstacles are actually holding them up.”
Panellists urged that material information, sales packs and greater digitisation could soon become mandatory. Firms should adopt these practices early to benefit from reduced duplication, faster transactions and less time spent chasing information.
Ifayemi warned against postponing action until reforms are imposed, saying: “We don’t want a world where change is forced through at the last minute, at far greater cost to everyone involved.”
The webinar concluded with a call for greater engagement from across the sector. Rudolf urged firms to help test emerging solutions and contribute feedback during the development process.
She said: “We need to know from you what you need. Engage early and come and try things now. This is the government’s opportunity to see the solutions develop before they legislate, so get involved and make sure any unintended consequences are sorted before it becomes law.”
