Mortgage guide
Bridging loan eligibility questions
Questions about loan terms, completion times, minimum borrowing and income requirements.
- Published
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last reviewed
- 11 Sep 2026
- Reading time
- 2 min
Bridging loan eligibility questions
Answers to common questions about bridging finance. Return to the Bridging Loan Guide for the overview.
Bridging calculator
Estimate the gross loan against property value before interest, fees and retained amounts.
Bridging Loan Criteria
For context, these are the wider product terms covered by this guide. Availability and eligibility depend on your circumstances and the lender.
| Criteria | Detail |
|---|---|
| Borrowers | Personal, limited company (Ltd co), LLP and offshore trusts, depending on the lender |
| Repayment type | Interest only or repayment |
| Term | Short term. The maximum term varies by lender; in our experience the minimum term is usually 1 month, and 3 months with some lenders |
| Experience | Not always required; it depends on the lender and the exit |
| Max applicants | Varies by lender |
| Valuation types | Automated valuation (AVM), Market Value 1 (MV1) yield based, market value (MV), 180-day or 90-day value, depending on the lender and how it labels the valuation basis |
| Regulated and unregulated | Yes, both: regulated where the borrower or a close family member lives, or will live, in the property |
| Credit searched | Usually, depending on the lender |
| Credit scored | Varies by lender; the decision rests mainly on the property and the exit |
For context, these are the wider product terms covered by this guide. Availability and eligibility depend on your circumstances and the lender.
| Loan to value | Rate |
|---|---|
| 65% LTV | 0.62% per month (2% lender fee) |
| 75% LTV | 0.72% per month (2% lender fee) |
| 85% LTV | 0.9% per month (2% lender fee) |
For context, these are the wider product terms covered by this guide. Availability and eligibility depend on your circumstances and the lender.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Additional Security | 100%+ |
| Residential | 90% |
| Commercial | 75% |
| Land | 70% |
Related case studies
Questions and answers
What is a bridging loan?
Short-term secured lending, usually between three and twenty-four months, used where timing matters more than cost: buying at auction, breaking a chain, or funding works before a property can be refinanced conventionally. Interest is materially higher than a term mortgage, and lending is granted against a credible exit: the sale or refinance that will repay it. No exit, no loan.
How long can a bridging loan last?
Bridging loans typically run from a few months up to 24 months, with a maximum of around 36 months. Total cost is driven by how long the loan is outstanding, so the term should match a realistic exit timetable.
How quickly can a bridging loan complete?
Straightforward residential cases complete in as little as 3 to 7 days using automated valuations and search indemnity insurance. Typical cases take 1 to 3 weeks, and complex commercial, land, or multi-security cases take 3 to 4 weeks.
What is the minimum bridging loan?
Most lenders set a minimum loan of £50,000. At 75% loan-to-value, that means a minimum property value of around £70,000. Smaller loans are possible with some lenders, but fixed setup costs weigh more heavily on them.
Do I need income or a job for a bridging loan?
No. With rolled-up or deducted interest there are no monthly payments, so lenders assess the property, the loan-to-value, and the exit rather than income. Income is only assessed where interest is serviced monthly.
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