HM Land Registry has launched new property identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) and INSPIRE IDs, which are now available alongside the monthly Price Paid Data. These identifiers are designed to improve the accuracy of property sales information for residential properties in England and Wales.
The government states that Price Paid Data is used by various professionals, including property agents, researchers, public bodies, lenders, and digital service providers. Propertymark indicates that linking UPRNs to this data should assist agents and property portals in accurately matching previous sale prices to properties, potentially reducing errors from inconsistent address formats or duplicate records.
Lynne Nicholson, deputy director for Data at HM Land Registry, said the initiative is part of a strategic plan to "unlock the value of our data to create new opportunities for innovation and growth." She added that similar lookup tables will be introduced to UK Companies data and Overseas Companies data later this financial year, supporting a more efficient and transparent property market.
The government also suggests that lenders could benefit from these changes, as UPRNs may offer a consistent method to link sale prices, addresses, and property records. This could potentially reduce uncertainty during valuations, mortgage assessments, and due diligence processes.