Bridging loan eligibility questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.