Mortgage guide
Bridging loan terms and regulation questions
Questions about credit history, first-time buyers, regulation, interest payments and loan-to-value.
- Published
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last reviewed
- 11 Sep 2026
- Reading time
- 2 min
Bridging loan terms and regulation questions
Answers to common questions about bridging finance. Return to the Bridging Loan Guide for the overview.
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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% |
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Questions and answers
What credit score do I need for a bridging loan?
There is no set credit score. Bridging lenders review credit in context rather than against a threshold, and missed payments, defaults, or CCJs do not automatically prevent approval where the asset and exit are strong.
Can a first-time buyer use a bridging loan?
Yes. Most bridging lenders require no prior experience, which makes bridging useful for first-time buyers purchasing renovation properties or working around mortgage criteria that excludes them.
Are bridging loans regulated?
Some are. A bridging loan is regulated by the FCA when it is secured on a property that is, or will become, the borrower's main residence: in law, where at least 40% of the property is used, or is intended to be used, as a dwelling by the borrower or a close family member. Bridging loans for buy-to-let, investment, commercial property or land are usually unregulated.
Do monthly payments apply to a bridging loan?
Only on serviced-interest structures, where interest is paid monthly subject to affordability. With rolled-up or deducted interest, no monthly payments are made and the interest is settled when the loan exits.
What loan-to-value can I get on a bridging loan?
Up to 90% on residential property, 75 to 80% on commercial, and 50 to 70% on land depending on planning status. With additional security a cross-charge can fund 100% of the purchase price, and genuine below-market-value purchases can reach 100% of the price within 90% of open market value.
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