LMS has launched National Property Transaction Network (NPTN), a new digital platform that connects every stakeholder in the property transaction process, with a view to speeding up transactions.
NPTN, launched following a successful trial period in September 2024 involving Connells Group, Peter Alan, TM Group, Moverly, and a select panel of law firms, seeks to make shareable, authenticated data accessible to everyone.
The impact on pilot cases saw a 35% reduction in time from Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC) to exchange, along with 17% faster from instruction to completion.
In addition, there were 43% fewer cancellations, while agent instruction rates with firms involved in the pilot rose 21%.
At the heart of the pilot were Digital Sale-Ready (DSR) listings, which combine upfront material information, reusable KYC/AML checks, and smart data. Buyers and sellers reported increased trust, transparency, and confidence, with fewer surprises and faster outcomes.
Nick Chadbourne, chief executive officer at LMS, said: “We tested industry theories in a live environment, overcoming challenges and proving that when stakeholders have access to the right information at the right time, the whole process becomes easier and more transparent. And crucially, stakeholders could work how they always have with minimal disruption.”
The pilot validated a clear industry need for Horizontal Digital Integration (HDI), a connected ecosystem where data flows securely and universally across suppliers, agents, lenders, and conveyancers. LMS is now scaling NPTN into a whole-of-market solution, accessible to all, regardless of supplier or system.
LMS says its has already begun working with new stakeholders to adapt the network to meet the unique needs and challenges across the industry. NPTN is built to evolve; with every new partner, the network becomes more impactful
Jeanette Coughlan, home conveyancing director at Connells Group, said: “This is not a closed loop network. We are proud to further support NPTN and further onboard across the Connells estate. The pilot results show what’s possible when everyone has access to the same
trusted data, and we’re proud of what our team and partners have achieved through true collaboration and engagement.”
“A new digital platform designed to connect stakeholders…”
That’s how LMS describes the launch of NPTN — and it’s a familiar phrase. I shared a very similar model with Ed and Gemma at Moverly, and with Anthony Glasgow at Connells, back in autumn 2023.
The idea wasn’t new, and it certainly wasn’t theory.
It had already been tested and documented in the rummage4 trials of 2020/21/22, and then shaped into what became MySSTC — a deliberately neutral platform built to support the whole market without commercial conflict.
Even the name came from that work — MySSTC was my suggestion, when names like “Unity” were being discussed.
The core idea — persistent, trusted information shared between stakeholders to reduce delay and fall-through — has been public for years. You’ll find the earliest outlines on my Twitter feed in September 2019, ahead of a meeting with Edward Mellor. I’ve never hidden this work. In fact, I’ve never used NDAs, because I believe innovation should be shared.
So when I see phrases like “we tested industry theories…”, I smile.
Some of those involved knew the ideas had already been tested. That’s not a complaint — just a quiet correction.
I genuinely wish LMS, Connells, and Moverly every success with the rollout. The pilot results are encouraging.
But one thing they may find — as I already have — is that gaining wider adoption requires more than a good model:
Independent agents are unlikely to buy into a Connells-led platform.
Search firms and conveyancers may hesitate over an LMS-branded initiative.
Other MI suppliers may not feel comfortable plugging into a Moverly-backed framework.
That’s why MySSTC was structured as a Symbiotic Services Technology Company — neutral by design, created to be a utility, not a product.
Because once again:
It always seems obvious once someone has explained how.
But building something that everyone can get behind? That’s the real challenge.
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Robert, thanks very much for the comment. Two brief responses, firstly i’d love to have a discussion with you about NPTN if you’d give me 30 minutes perhaps? My email is mat.hahn@lms.com.
Secondly, its important to point out that the platform is democratised in that, for example, if you had a material information provider you wanted to use we would work to onboard that supplier so you could create your preferred ‘journey’ across the platform with the suppliers, conveyancers etc you wanted to work with.
As you very rightly suggest, mass adoption has to be the goal when you look at the advantages a platform could bring to chains for example, hence the platform has been set up to be open for all stakeholders.
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Today’s MI announcement doesn’t help anyone though.
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Did the platform itself actually make any notable difference here, or is it as I suspect and these numbers are a result of invested property-professionals cherry picking the easiest files, and having a small and manageable caseload that is prioritised and continually chased?
Amazing what can be done when everyone is hyper-focused on exchanging contracts urgently! Shame it’s impossible for everyone to maintain that across all their files all of the time.
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As mentioned earlier, any platform operated by or heavily influenced by the Connells Group will not be adopted by independents.
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