Fleet Mortgages joins OPDA to advance UK property data reform

By Milan Rojan

Fleet Mortgages has joined the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) as the lender-backed industry efforts to modernise the UK homebuying process through standardised property data sharing.

The buy-to-let lender, owned by Starling Bank, said the move aligned with its investment in technology and data capabilities aimed at improving services for brokers and customers.

Through the partnership, Fleet Mortgages will support industry initiatives focused on reducing inefficiencies, improving decision-making and creating a more connected process across lenders, brokers, conveyancers and valuers.

Toni Coulson, Data Insights Director at Fleet Mortgages, said, “Joining the OPDA comes at exactly the right time for Fleet. As we invest in our technology and data capabilities, we’re in a much stronger position to play a proactive role in shaping the future of the mortgage and homebuying process.”

Coulson added that lenders had clear visibility over delays within the property transaction process. “As a lender, we have deep insight into where delays occur and how data could be used more effectively to streamline decision-making and reduce friction for brokers and customers alike,” she said.

She said wider data sharing across the industry must deliver measurable benefits for intermediaries and borrowers.

Maria Harris, Chair at OPDA, said, “Fleet will bring valuable insight to our work, particularly around how property and finance data can be used to streamline mortgage origination processes and improve the journey from offer to completion.”

OPDA said its Smart Property Data Trust Framework aimed to address inefficiencies in the UK property market, where fragmented systems often resulted in repeated collection and verification of the same information.