--- title: "Bridging Loan Guide" description: "Start here for bridging loan costs, interest, eligibility and repayment, with focused guides for each property type and funding question." url: "https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide" site: "Mortgage Lane" collection: "guides" date: "2026-04-13" author: "Joseph Lane" category: "Guides" reviewed: "2026-10-08" reading_time: "4 min" byline: "Joseph Lane" author_credentials: "CeMAP · FCA authorised firm" language: "en-GB" robots: "index,follow" --- # Bridging Loan Guide Start here for bridging loan costs, interest, eligibility and repayment, with focused guides for each property type and funding question. Start here for bridging loan costs, interest, eligibility and repayment, with focused guides for each property type and funding question. [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions?term=bridging-loan) Bridging finance A short-term loan secured against property or land to cover a funding gap until an agreed repayment event, such as a sale or refinance. [Read the full definition of Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions?term=bridging-loan) ## In short This guide covers what a bridging loan costs, how interest is rolled up, retained or serviced, and what a lender expects of an exit, across residential, commercial, land and auction cases. **A bridging loan is short-term finance secured against property or land, used where a mortgage cannot complete in time or the property does not yet qualify for one.** Also called bridge finance or interim finance, a bridging loan is designed to "bridge" a temporary funding gap until a defined exit, a sale, a refinance, or a development finance drawdown, is completed. Bridging loans are used by homeowners, first-time buyers, property investors, developers, and businesses. They suit time-sensitive purchases, uninhabitable or un-mortgageable properties, land without income, and situations where longer-term finance will be arranged later. This guide explains what bridging finance is, how the interest and costs work, how quickly loans complete, the loan-to-value available on each security type, and how bridging is used across residential, commercial, land, and business scenarios. ## Understand the loan Start with the loan structure and the rules that apply to your property. - [What is a bridging loan?](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/what-is-a-bridging-loan) - [First charge and second charge bridging loans](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/first-charge-and-second-charge-bridging-loans) - [Open and closed bridging loans](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/open-and-closed-bridging-loans) - [Regulated bridging loans for homeowners](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/regulated-bridging-loans-for-homeowners) ## Plan the costs and repayment Compare the costs, borrowing limits and repayment options before choosing finance. - [How bridging loan interest works](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/how-bridging-loan-interest-works) - [What does a bridging loan cost?](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/what-does-a-bridging-loan-cost) - [Loan-to-value on a bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/loan-to-value-on-a-bridging-loan) - [Exit strategies, and why bridging loans get refused](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/exit-strategies-and-why-bridging-loans-get-refused) - [Re-bridging loans and extensions](https://mortgagelane.com/short-term-finance/re-bridging-loans) - [Remortgaging after a bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/short-term-finance/remortgage-after-bridging-loan) - [Alternatives to bridging loans](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/alternatives-to-bridging-loans) ## Prepare your application Check the evidence and professional support needed for your application. - [How quickly does a bridging loan complete?](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/how-quickly-does-a-bridging-loan-complete) - [Do you need income, a job, or a clean credit record?](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/do-you-need-income-a-job-or-a-clean-credit-record) - [Do I need a solicitor for a bridging loan?](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/do-i-need-a-solicitor-for-a-bridging-loan) ## Bridging loans by scenario Use the short summaries below to find the relevant guide, or compare [what a bridging loan can be used for](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/what-can-a-bridging-loan-be-used-for). **Every bridging scenario runs on the same mechanics, asset-led underwriting, a defined exit, rolled-up interest where cash flow is tight, applied to a different asset.** Each scenario below has its own detailed page; the summaries here cover what makes each one distinct. **Residential property bridging finance** Bridging finance is widely used within the specialist residential sector where a standard mortgage is unsuitable due to time pressure, property condition, or transitional circumstances. [Read more about Residential property bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/residential-property-bridging-finance)[Get in touch about Residential property bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-bridging-loan) · [Buy-to-let mortgage](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-buy-to-let-mortgage) **Commercial property bridging finance** Commercial bridging loans are a core funding solution within specialist commercial property finance, particularly where traditional commercial mortgages are too slow to execute, structurally restrictive, or temporarily unavailable due to asset condition, income profile, or transitional risk. [Read more about Commercial property bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/commercial-property-bridging-finance)[Get in touch about Commercial property bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-bridging-loan) · [Commercial bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-commercial-bridging-loan) **Agricultural bridging loan** An agricultural bridging loan can be used to buy a farm quickly where traditional agricultural or commercial mortgages are too slow, too restrictive, or unavailable at the point of purchase. [Read more about Agricultural bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/agricultural-bridging-loan)[Get in touch about Agricultural bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Land bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-land-bridging-loan) · [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-bridging-loan) **Bridging loans for life events** Bridging loans can be used to unlock capital quickly from property to manage major life events and financial pressures without being forced into rushed or distressed decisions. [Read more about Bridging loans for life events](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/life-events)[Get in touch about Bridging loans for life events](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Loan-to-value (LTV)](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-loan-to-value) · [Buy-to-let mortgage](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-buy-to-let-mortgage) **Semi commercial property bridging finance** Semi-commercial bridging loans are a core funding solution within specialist semi-commercial property finance, particularly where traditional mortgage products are too slow, overly restrictive, or temporarily unavailable due to asset structure, income profile, or transitional risk. [Read more about Semi commercial property bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/semi-commercial-property-bridging-finance)[Get in touch about Semi commercial property bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-bridging-loan) · [Semi-commercial mortgage](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-semi-commercial-mortgage) **Land bridging finance** Bridging finance for land typically requires bespoke, specialist finance and attract lower loan-to-value ratios than standard residential or commercial property. [Read more about Land bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/land-bridging-finance)[Get in touch about Land bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-bridging-loan) · [Land bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-land-bridging-loan) **Bridging loan for holiday let** A bridging loan for a holiday let is used to purchase, refinance, or reposition short-term rental property where a standard mortgage is not immediately suitable. [Read more about Bridging loan for holiday let](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/holiday-let)[Get in touch about Bridging loan for holiday let](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-bridging-loan) · [Holiday let mortgage](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-holiday-let-mortgage) **Business bridging finance** Business bridging loans depend on the sector, property and cash flow. The guide covers short-term funding while longer-term finance is arranged. [Read more about Business bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/business-bridging-finance)[Get in touch about Business bridging finance](https://mortgagelane.com/contact) [Bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-bridging-loan) · [Land bridging loan](https://mortgagelane.com/definitions#def-land-bridging-loan) ## More about interest, property and common questions - [Serviced interest bridging loans](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/serviced-interest-bridging-loans) - [Deducted and retained interest bridging loans](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/deducted-and-retained-interest-bridging-loans) - [Auction bridging](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/auction-bridging) - [VAT bridging](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/vat-bridging) - [Revolving credit facilities](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/revolving-credit-facilities) - [Bridging loan eligibility questions](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/bridging-loan-eligibility-questions) - [Bridging loan terms and regulation questions](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/bridging-loan-terms-and-regulation-questions) - [Bridging loan valuation and repayment questions](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide/bridging-loan-valuation-and-repayment-questions) ## Current bridging loan rates See [current bridging loan rates](https://mortgagelane.com/short-term-finance/bridging-loans) and discuss your circumstances with an adviser. ## Talk it through with an adviser Published: 2026-04-13 Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 Source: https://mortgagelane.com/guides/bridging-loan-guide