A coalition of leading property groups has called on the government to put the Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) at the heart of the UK residential market.

In an open letter to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, they urge her to adopt and implement the UPRN - the unique identifier for every addressable location in Great Britain whether owned or rented - explaining its critical role in enhancing transparency, improving market efficiency, and driving significant benefits for both the public and private sectors, as well as consumers.

The 28-strong coalition – which includes the NLRA, RICS, Propertymark, The Lettings Industry Council and the Property Redress Scheme- says more is needed to fully achieve the potential benefits of using the UPRN, such as enhanced protection for tenants and the reduction of rogue landlords.

It adds that more widespread use would also provide increased revenue for the Treasury through higher market activity and transactions, improved safety across buildings, the market, and for consumers, as well as faster, more efficient home buying and selling processes, less admin, more effective enforcement of housing legislation and better data collection.

Theresa Wallace (pictured), Chair of The Letting Industry Council says: "The UPRN is a vital piece of infrastructure that can drive significant improvements in the property market. We believe that its mass adoption will transform the letting industry helping Government, businesses and the consumer and we call on the Government to take immediate steps to help with the adoption of the UPRN."

Strides

Dan Hughes (pictured), founder of the Real Estate Data Foundation, believes there have been real strides made with data in recent years, in both the public and private sector, but that much more is needed.

“To realise the improvements in the housing market, better use of data is essential,” says Hughes. “Whether the home buying and selling process, the lettings market, planning or building safety, data must be placed at the heart of UK property policy and the UPRN is at the core of this.”

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