Skipton Building Society is deepening its involvement in a digital property network designed to reduce delays and improve communication among estate agents, lenders, and conveyancers. The move extends an existing partnership between Connells Group and conveyancing technology provider LMS, combining mortgage lending and estate agency expertise across the Skipton Group.
Digital network targets homebuying delays
LMS developed the National Property Transaction Network (NPTN) to enhance how organisations share information during property sales. The network aims to collect key property, identity, and financial information once, allowing relevant parties to access it securely throughout the transaction. It also supports government plans to modernise the homebuying process and make property information available earlier.
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, with Connells branches, LMS panel conveyancers, and Lloyds also participating.
Skipton targets faster mortgage decisions
Skipton previously took part in the NPTN Sandbox. It will now explore how earlier information sharing could improve mortgage decisions and property transactions, with a key focus on digital property identity. This approach keeps essential property information together throughout a sale, potentially reducing time spent on document requests and information gaps.
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 aligns with the government’s Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap, which aims 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, and they have provided no figures showing how much time the network could save.
