Everything you need to know about the Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN)
The Unique Property Reference Number or UPRN has been making the headlines recently, but many still do not realise its importance and how they can benefit from this data.
Here's everything you need to know about the unique identifier, from its creation to how you can enhance your database using Ideal Postcodes UPRN solutions.
Ordnance Survey is the national mapping agency for Great Britain. The organisation creates, maintains and distributes detailed location information for Great Britain. The Unique Property Reference Number or UPRN, is an individual numeric value for every location. This number is allocated by both local authorities and Ordnance Survey. You can read more about its importance and creation in our UPRN guide.
For many years, UPRN data was only accessible via local authorities and Ordnance Survey, however in April 2020, the Open Standards Board has mandated that UPRNs will be the standard way of referencing and sharing information about properties. UPRNs were made available as open data and this became the golden thread of the UK’s addressing system.
UPRNs are essential for bringing property and address information together. Some locations such as a bus shelter will not have a normal address, however a UPRN provides a consistent identifier for any addressable location, from the planning stages through to demolition. By using UPRNs as a reference point rather than postcodes, all suppliers and organisations have access to a property’s life cycle which removes any confusion in managing or providing services to the property. A UPRN is not considered personal data, making this the perfect way to identify properties while abiding by GDPR standards.
The data is used by many sectors including the public sector, real estate, utility suppliers and more. UPRNs allow consistent data to be shared among departments which improves efficiency. Any information added will be linked to matching records in different databases, removing duplication and making it faster and easier to connect data sources across platforms.
Ideal Postcodes UPRN Solutions
If you get your hands on UPRN data, it can be overwhelming. It's better to have access to UK address data as well. That's where Ideal Postcodes comes in. We source our address data from Royal Mail's Postcode Address File and UPRNs from Ordnance Survey's AddressBase. We provide complete, valid and up-to-date addresses along with their UPRNs and geocoordinates. It's a complete solution for your location requirements.
Append UPRNS
We can append UPRNs to your existing PAF address database. Matching on either complete or partial address information.
Retrieve UPRNs with Address Validation
Ideal Postcodes can effortlessly provide address validation linked with UPRN to your current database.
Search by UPRN
Retrieve Postcode Address File (PAF) properties by UPRN simply and intuitively using our Address Validation APIs.
Utilities Sector
The UPRN serves as an essential tool in the utilities sector. It can be linked to the utilities register and it is also required for switching energy providers. By utilising the UPRN provided by us, you can seamlessly match the property address to its corresponding Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for electricity and the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for gas. This connection guarantees that energy services are accurately targeted and efficiently managed for each specific location.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements.