HOW IT WORKS
How does the Smart Property Data Trust Framework work?
The SPDTF is a common set of principles, standards, governance processes and assurance mechanisms that enable organisations to create, store, access, share, and consume property data in a trusted and consistent way.
The framework establishes the minimum standards for:
Scheme governance & accreditation
Security and privacy protocols
Liability and consumer protection
Quality benchmarks for data and verification services
Participant rules and responsibilities
Ethical and transparent data sharing
A shared language for interoperability and data exchange
Definitions and principles for authentication, identification, and provenance of data and scheme participants
“The goal is to ensure that property information can be trusted, authenticated, understood, relied upon, and reused throughout the lifecycle of a property.”
MARIA HARRIS, CHAIR
The Framework
The framework provides the infrastructure and governance for standardised property data and trust credentials exchange. This is not a platform, but a shared set of rules across the ecosystem that provides the directory of authenticated data providers, validation of accredited participants, assures the provenance of data, and enables interoperability.
View the Scheme Rules
Federated identity & verification
Instead of relying on manual logins, the framework requires every participating bank and third-party provider (TPP) to hold cryptographic digital certificates. This guarantees that every entity's identity is verified and validated by regulatory authorities before they can request data.
Read the technical standards
The Directory
Acting as the “digital phonebook” of the ecosystem, the directory maintains real-time data on every registered, authorised data provider and transaction institution. Before sharing data, a provider checks this directory to confirm the requesting third-party has a valid license and security credentials.
Access the directory
Semantic Data Model
A full linked-data stack — bounded contexts, controlled vocabulary, SKOS taxonomy, OWL ontology, SHACL validation and JSON-LD mappings — so that property data is verifiably interoperable across the UK industry.
Visit the knowledge base
Standardised APIs
The framework mandates the use of secure Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). This replaces “screen scraping” (where apps store usernames and passwords) and bespoke connectivity with highly controlled, encrypted token exchanges.
View the API documentation
Consumer consent & liability
The framework guarantees that the user remains in control. A user must grant explicit, time-bound permission for data to be shared, and they can view or revoke this access at any time.
Read more about governance
DEVELOPER ECOSYSTEM
Building the Future of Trusted Property Data
The property industry is entering a new era. As digital identity, AI, automation, smart buildings, and interoperable data become mainstream, the organisations that shape the next generation of property technology are those embracing digital, trusted, and standardised data.
Open Property Data Association (OPDA) welcomes and supports firms of every size and shape as part of the ecosystem where property information is exchanged digitally, securely, consistently, and with confidence through the Smart Property Data Trust Framework and Accreditation Scheme.
Whether you employ or develop case management software, CRM systems, mortgage platforms, property professional solutions, AI products, or data platforms, joining the ecosystem provides the opportunity to influence emerging standards, accelerate innovation, and gain a competitive advantage as an early adopter.
Contact us to learn more
BECOME AN EARLY ADOPTER
Rather than reacting to industry change, your organisation can help lead it.
Organisations that adopt early gain valuable implementation experience, establish thought leadership, and develop expertise before standards become mainstream.
Influence implementation guidance and shape accreditation requirements
Take part in framework validation, interoperability testing, and proof-of-concepts
Build market-ready solutions and the relationships behind them faster than latecomers