Digital Property Information Protocol

The Digital Property Information Protocol (DPIP) sets out to stakeholders and consumers who does what and when, in the home moving process. Consumers can identify which professional to go to for the advice they need and the stakeholders can identify the most efficient way to gain and share the information which they need in the process.

The DPIP explains how professionals can collaborate across the process, win business through improved customer service and avoid transactions falling through, whilst outlining for the consumer how the process works and who can advise them on the aspects of the transaction and the things which would impact their intended use and enjoyment of the property.

Data use in the current process

As this map shows, data consumption in the property sector is complex. The lines represent each of the key stakeholders in the process and the stations are the datasets which they need to interact with to perform their role.

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The Protocol

This Protocol endeavours to triage properties to accurately identify the most appropriate professionals to gather and deliver property information to professional stakeholders and consumers alike.

It also identifies how the information can most efficiently be gathered and shared to speed up the transparency within the process.

Click on the boxes below to find out how each group will use and be supported by the Protocol.

You can also read this detailed booklet on the overall Protocol, which is from the Conveyancing lawyers perspective.

Conveyancing Lawyers

Conveyancing lawyers act for the buyers, sellers and the buyer's lender, in terms of title, Material Information which would impact on informed decision making, and giving the transaction legal effect.

Following the implementation of the protocol, conveyancing lawyers will have the opportunity to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an efficient customer journey.

Estate Agents

Estate agents market the property, negotiate the sale, project manage the transaction, and chase up missing information to enable the transaction to go through.

Following the implementation of the protocol, estate agents will have the opportunity to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an efficient customer journey.

Valuers

The valuer is the person who values the property on behalf of the lender or buyer, in many cases with a physical property inspection.

Lenders also use Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) where there is no physical inspection or involvement by an independent, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) registered valuer.

Following the implementation of the protocol, valuers will have the opportunity to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an efficient customer journey.

Mortgage Intermediaries

Mortgage intermediaries identify the most appropriate lending for the borrower, project manage the mortgage transaction – essentially hold the customer’s hand throughout the whole process, chase up missing information to enable the transaction to go through.

Following implementation of the protocol, mortgage intermediaries will have the opportunity to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an efficient customer journey without any duplicated actions from the customer.

Surveyors

Surveyors advise on the physical condition and structure of the property and whether works have been done that would need consents.

Following the implementation of the protocol, surveyors will have the opportunity to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an efficient customer journey.

Lenders

Lenders lend money to borrowers in the form of a mortgage (or charge), to fund the purchase of a property.

Lenders require the advice of other stakeholders in the process to establish the value of the property and ensure that the loan to value meets their requirements.

Following implementation of the protocol, lenders will have the opportunity to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an efficient customer journey.

Information Providers

Information providers provide information/data so all involved in the process can make informed decisions and actions.

Following the implementation of the protocol, information providers will have the opportunity to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an efficient customer journey.

Buyers

The DPIP gives buyers access to trusted, standardised property information upfront, from the condition of the home to leasehold costs and flood risk, so they can make an informed choice about which property to pursue and which specialists to instruct, without nasty surprises derailing the process months down the line.

Sellers

By using the DPIP to share verified property information digitally from the start, sellers can demonstrate transparency to potential buyers, reduce the risk of their sale falling through, and benefit from a faster transaction with less back-and-forth, making the whole experience simpler and far less stressful.