Nationwide has become the first UK lender to allow mortgage deeds to be signed electronically without a witness, in a move that could speed up remortgage transactions for landlords.
The building society is now accepting Qualified Electronic Signatures on mortgage deeds where the borrower’s solicitor or conveyancer supports the technology. The change follows HM Land Registry’s decision in August 2025 to accept QES for mortgage documents.
How it works
Mortgage deeds have traditionally required paper documents and in-person witnessing. Under the new system, borrowers can complete identity-verified electronic signatures instead, removing the need for physical paperwork and face-to-face signing appointments.
Nationwide developed the process in partnership with Your Conveyancer and technology provider Veyco. The first transaction using the new system was a remortgage application, which allowed the mortgage deed to be sent for registration significantly faster than traditional methods.
Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s group director of mortgages, said: “Nationwide is committed to speeding up the homebuying process and reducing the stress and inconvenience that can come with buying a home. Technology and collaboration are key to driving convenience.”
Implications for landlords
For buy-to-let landlords managing portfolio remortgages, the ability to sign deeds electronically could reduce delays in the conveyancing process. With transaction times already averaging 17 weeks or more, any efficiency gains are likely to be welcomed.
Andy Roddy, deputy director of digital services at HM Land Registry, said the adoption of QES marked “a significant step forward for the UK property market” and set a new standard for secure transactions.
“By embracing QES, Nationwide is not only enhancing security and speeding up the process for homebuyers but also paving the way for wider adoption across the market,” he said.
Other lenders are expected to follow. The Land Registry has indicated that QES provides equivalent legal standing to handwritten witnessed signatures while offering better protection against tampering.
Martin Bourke, managing director of Your Conveyancer, said the first QES completion was “a major milestone” that demonstrated what could be achieved through industry collaboration.
Opinion
Electronic signatures for mortgage deeds have been a long time coming. For landlords juggling multiple properties and remortgage deadlines, removing the need for witnessed paperwork is a practical win. The question now is how quickly other lenders will adopt the technology — and whether conveyancers will invest in the systems needed to support it.
