Demystifying 5 common myths about UPRNs in Real Estate
In the property and real estate sectors, Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) are becoming an essential tool for managing data effectively. Despite their growing adoption, several misconceptions about UPRNs persist. Let's debunk five common myths and explain why they're holding you back.
These common misconceptions were expressed during our recent webinar "UPRN: The Key Identifier for Tomorrow's Real Estate" and our three guest speakers had this so say:
Myth 1: "UPRNs are just another postcode"
The Reality: UPRNs serve a completely different purpose from postcodes. Simon Barlow from GeoPlace explained: "UPRNs are unique identifiers. They're assigned to addressable objects in the real world. They're a machine readable number up to 12 digits in length, and draws through the life cycle of the property." Think of postcodes as general area markers, while UPRNs provide pinpoint accuracy for property identification in digital systems, enabling precise data linking across systems.
Myth 2: "Only data experts need to understand UPRNs"
The Reality: This couldn’t be further from the truth! UPRNs simplify processes for everyone in the property sector, from agents to valuers. Dan Hughes, founder of Alpha Property Insight, noted: "If you're a real estate practitioner, you don't necessarily need to have understood the intricacies of data." UPRNs make data management accessible to all property professionals and provide valuable insights without requiring advanced technical skills. It’s about linking property data, not understanding complex data systems or programming.
Myth 3: "Traditional addressing methods are sufficient"
The Reality: Manual address entry often leads to errors and inconsistencies, which can disrupt workflows and create inefficiencies. Address validation standardises addresses for digital systems, while UPRNs act as unique identifiers that ensure accurate property data linking. Together, they save time and boost efficiency, far beyond what traditional methods can offer.
Myth 4: "UPRNs are not relevant to my role"
The Reality: Whether you’re in valuations, property management, or investment, UPRNs can enhance your work. They improve data quality, streamline decision-making processes, and unlock new opportunities by enabling better collaboration across teams and systems. The question isn’t whether UPRNs are relevant, it’s how you can start using them today! As Dan Hughes pointed out, "The property sector generally is maturing in its understanding that data is really important, and the management of data is essential to solve those problems."
Myth 5: "UPRN adoption is happening too quickly"
The Reality: Dan Hughes observed, "I think the traction that UPRNs are getting is relatively slow but steady. So I think that over a number of years, it's getting there, but there's still a long way to go." The integration of UPRNs in real estate has been gradual and strategic. Far from being rushed, this steady adoption allows organisations to explore their value and develop implementation strategies at their own pace. Getting ahead of the curve now will only position you better for the future of property data management.
Why Busting These Myths Matters
UPRNs aren’t just a buzzword, they’re a critical tool for modernising property data management in a digital-first world. As Emily Griffiths from Ordnance Survey noted, "The more information you have, the more accurate your decisions can be." By debunking these myths, we hope to show how UPRNs can help real estate professionals streamline operations, improve accuracy, and make smarter decisions.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re ready to explore how UPRNs can transform your business processes, visit our UPRN or Real Estate page to discover our solutions. With Ideal Postcodes, you get access to UPRNs and rooftop geocodes at no extra cost with our address validation services!
