Skipton Building Society is expanding its involvement in a digital property network that aims to cut delays and improve communication between estate agents, lenders and conveyancers.
The move builds on an existing partnership between Connells Group and conveyancing technology provider LMS. It brings together mortgage lending and estate agency expertise from across Skipton Group.
LMS developed the National Property Transaction Network (NPTN) to improve how organisations share information during property sales.
The network aims to collect key property, identity and financial information once. Relevant parties can then access it securely throughout the transaction.
The initiative also supports government plans to modernise the homebuying process and make property information available earlier.
Digital network targets homebuying delays
NPTN connects estate agents, mortgage brokers, lenders and conveyancers to improve communication and reduce duplicated work.
Instead of repeatedly requesting the same documents, participating organisations can share information securely.
The network already includes Moverly, Credas and Armalytix. Connells branches, LMS panel conveyancers and Lloyds also participate.
Skipton previously took part in the NPTN Sandbox. It will now explore how earlier information sharing could improve mortgage decisions and property transactions.
A key focus involves digital property identity. This approach keeps essential property information together throughout a sale.
As a result, agents, lenders and conveyancers could spend less time requesting documents and resolving information gaps.
Skipton targets faster mortgage decisions
Si Farrell-Roberts, head of lending at Skipton Building Society, said the industry needed to simplify the process for buyers and sellers.
“We have a real opportunity to change that. By working with Connells Group, LMS and NPTN, we can make important property information available earlier and allow it to be shared securely between the organisations involved.
“For buyers and sellers, that could mean less duplication, fewer delays and greater clarity about how their move is progressing. For lenders, having access to reliable information earlier can help us make faster, better-informed decisions for customers.”
Connells backs digital property reforms
The partnership also aligns with the government’s Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap.
The reforms aim to improve access to property information and encourage greater use of digital technology.
Chris Rosindale, chief operating officer at Connells Group, said: “Through this partnership, we can extend the reach of NPTN and continue to deliver on a key aim of the Government’s Home Buying and Selling Roadmap: making important property information available earlier and easier to share digitally.
“That can help make buying and selling a home smoother, more reliable and less stressful for consumers.”
Travis Scholes, chief commercial officer at LMS, said better coordination between property professionals remained essential.
“Buying a home involves several different organisations, but for the customer it is one journey.
“NPTN is about creating the connections that allow those organisations to work together more effectively and information to move securely through the transaction.”
Skipton, Connells and LMS will now explore how earlier information sharing could improve the sales process.
However, the companies have not confirmed a timetable for wider implementation. They have also provided no figures showing how much time the network could save.
