Nationwide launches real-time property lending check with Rightmove

This marks a significant shift in how lending decisions intersect with the early stages of homebuying. While traditional Mortgage in Principle agreements estimate how much a person can borrow, they don’t indicate whether a chosen property meets lending criteria. Nationwide’s new tool addresses this gap by evaluating property-specific risks—such as flood zones or short lease terms—that could block financing later in the process.

Responding to a complex housing market

With average home sales in the UK still taking over five months to complete, the need for greater efficiency has become more pressing. The new feature is part of Nationwide’s broader effort to simplify and modernize the mortgage experience.

“We know that the homebuying process needs simplifying and streamlining, and technology plays a crucial role in that,” said Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s Director of Home. “People who find a property listing they like are keen to know whether they’ll be able to get a mortgage on it. The property lending check is a natural next step.”

Supporting buyers earlier in the journey

Nationwide already powers Rightmove’s Mortgage in Principle tool, which has helped a growing number of buyers understand their borrowing limits early in their search. By adding a layer of property-level risk assessment, the building society is aiming to reduce the number of failed sales and wasted time—for buyers, sellers, and agents alike.

This initial rollout is expected to evolve, with ongoing enhancements planned in collaboration with Rightmove.