NatWest has become the latest major lender to adopt digital completion technology, going live with PEXA’s platform for fee-assisted remortgages in a move that could deliver next-day completions for eligible transactions.
The UK’s third-largest mortgage lender – accounting for more than 12 percent of all UK mortgage lending – announced the partnership will expand to cover sale and purchase transactions by 2027.
Faster completions for landlords refinancing
Barry Connolly, Managing Director for Home Buying and Ownership at NatWest, said: “We are committed to relentlessly improving our customers’ experience when managing their home ownership needs. We are delighted to go live with this solution which makes things simpler, easier, faster, and more transparent for customers.”
PEXA provides the UK’s only FCA-regulated digital property completion infrastructure, connecting fund transfers and title lodgement within a single secure platform. The technology was pioneered in Australia before launching in the UK for remortgages in 2022, with sale and purchase capability added last year.
This follows Landlord Knowledge’s coverage of record BTL lending volumes, which highlighted the ongoing refinancing wave among landlords. Faster completions could help those racing to lock in rates before further market volatility.
Digital infrastructure aims to cut fraud risk
Joe Pepper, UK Chief Executive of PEXA, said: “Going live with a lender such as NatWest is a pivotal moment in our mission to improve the property transaction journey for everyone. Given the current volatility in the mortgage market, the benefit of being able to offer more customers faster completions on remortgages is clear.”
Pepper added that the platform was designed to reduce fraud risk alongside speeding up transactions: “This announcement illustrates the continued progress we are making as we work alongside mortgage lenders and conveyancers to modernise UK property transactions, making them more efficient, more certain and more secure.”
For landlords managing multiple properties, the prospect of streamlined digital processes may reduce the administrative burden of remortgaging across portfolios.
What this means for landlords
- If you’re remortgaging with NatWest: Ask your broker about PEXA eligibility – next-day completion could help lock in rates quickly.
- Watch for: More lenders adopting digital completion platforms as the technology expands beyond remortgages.
- Bottom line: Competition among lenders to offer faster, more transparent processes benefits refinancing landlords.
Editor’s view
The UK property transaction system has been ripe for modernisation for years. While this partnership initially covers remortgages, the roadmap to sales and purchases signals wider change. For landlords, anything that shortens completion timelines and reduces fraud risk is welcome – particularly when rates remain volatile.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 26 March 2026
Sources: PEXA, NatWest
Related reading: Mortgage Advice Bureau hits record 32bn lending as BTL market strengthens
