Why address data is the unsung hero in the UK’s new-build recovery

Based on insights from our latest whitepaper, New Builds, New Advantages, we explore how early access to accurate address data can unlock commercial gains. Read on for the highlights – or dive deeper by downloading the full report (below).

As new-build activity begins to pick up again, accurate, accessible address data is becoming one of the most valuable tools in the housebuilding supply chain – unlocking commercial and operational advantages for those ready to act early.

After a period of stagnation, the UK’s housebuilding sector is showing signs of renewed momentum. With the government aiming to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2029, the pressure is on to accelerate approvals and bring developments to market more efficiently. For insurers, lenders, utility providers and delivery brands, this shift signals both growing opportunity and growing complexity.

And in the middle of it all? The address.

The latest whitepaper from Idox Geospatial – New builds, New Advantages – explores how cutting-edge address data solutions can unlock commercial benefits, reduce risk, and ensure organisations are ready to serve new properties from day one.

Download the full whitepaper here to dig deeper into the insights.

When the address becomes the advantage

Traditionally, addresses have been treated as a back-office necessity. But in a landscape where 20,000 updates are made daily to national datasets like the OS National Geographic Database (NGD), outdated or missing data isn’t just inconvenient – it’s costly.

Enter the Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN): a stable, property-level identifier that tracks a building from the planning stage through to demolition and beyond. Unlike postcodes (which can span six miles in rural areas), UPRNs provide pinpoint accuracy. And thanks to Idox’s partnerships with over 85% of UK local authorities, that data is available much earlier in the property lifecycle.

This early insight is changing the game – turning address data from an administrative detail into a strategic asset.

Lagging data = lagging revenue

When address data is late, everything else slows down. Insurers can’t generate quotes. Lenders are unable to assess risk with confidence. Utilities don’t know where to connect. Retailers lose their chance to reach new movers at the right moment. And delivery firms face increased failed drops, not to mention the reputational knock-on effects.

As Daniel Slater, Commercial Director at Idox Geospatial, puts it: “If your data isn’t current, you’re slower to respond, slower to market, and slower to profit.”

The risks don’t end with delay. Many organisations, lacking current address information, fall back on guesswork – using adjacent properties as proxies. That’s risky business when those ‘neighbours’ could be miles apart. Inaccuracy leads to inefficiency, and inefficiency erodes margins.

From planning to profit: how UPRNs power progress

In our whitepaper, we break down the address lifecycle and how the UPRN underpins every phase. From the moment planning permission is granted, a temporary UPRN may be created by the local authority. As construction progresses, that UPRN is finalised and passed to GeoPlace – the national address data hub. Once verified, it’s published into national products such as OS NGD Address and OS AddressBase Premium. At this point, banks, insurers, utility providers and other service organisations can begin working with reliable data that reflects real-world activity.

Importantly, UPRNs also support complex property structures. A block of flats has its own UPRN, as does each individual flat within. This ‘parent-child’ structure ensures clarity across systems, enabling seamless collaboration between stakeholders – from the Royal Mail to the Land Registry.

“The UPRN is the golden thread,” says Jon Perry, Business Development Manager, Address Data Solutions, at Idox. “It links planning, property, people, and services into a single source of truth.”

Address data in action

This approach is already paying dividends. In the insurance sector, early access to address data allows providers to attach risk factors – such as flood zones and subsidence records – to new builds even before they officially exist in the system. That means they can offer quotes earlier and with greater accuracy.

In banking, lenders use UPRNs to cross-check title ownership and run faster, more reliable assessments during mortgage approval and conveyancing. Meanwhile, utility companies are able to eliminate wasted site visits and connect services at the right place, first time – avoiding the costs and complaints that come from incorrect assumptions.

Retailers and logistics firms also benefit. Accurate address data ensures that new properties appear across satellite navigation systems, checkout systems and delivery apps without delay. Missed deliveries don’t just inconvenience the customer; they mean lost revenue and damaged brand perception.

“It’s about better targeting, faster service, and giving customers the smoothest journey possible,” says Richard Barnes, Product Director at Idox Geospatial.

Getting ahead, and staying there

In this fast-changing environment, visibility equals advantage. Organisations that can identify what’s being built, where it’s located and when it’s available are the ones who can act first. That means quoting before competitors, reaching new customers ahead of the curve, and getting services up and running without delay.

Early access to UPRN-linked address data empowers organisations to streamline their operations, reduce uncertainty, and turn timing into a competitive edge. With NGD Address data available daily through Idox, those advantages are no longer theoretical – they’re very real.

Final word

The pace of new-build development in the UK is unlikely to slow any time soon. But with Idox Geospatial’s tools, your organisation doesn’t just keep up – it gets ahead.

By leveraging early, accurate address data, you can reduce risk, reach customers faster, and unlock serious competitive advantage.

Want to find out more?

Click here to download the full whitepaper: New Builds, New Advantages

Or get in touch with the Idox Geospatial team: hello-geo@idoxgroup.com

Emapsite is a trading name of Idox Geospatial

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