Mortgage guide
What is the longest loan you can get for land?
Loan terms depend on whether you choose a land mortgage or short-term bridging finance. The guide explains the different structures and repayment timelines.
- Published
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last reviewed
- 8 Oct 2026
- Reading time
- 3 min
What is the longest loan you can get for land?
The longest loan term you can get for land depends on the type of finance you choose, as land mortgages and land bridging loans have very different structures and repayment timelines. Unlike standard residential mortgages, which can extend up to 25-35 years, loans for land are often shorter and tailored to specific purposes like holding, developing, or refinancing.
Land Mortgages
A land mortgage is the longest-term finance option available for purchasing land. Most lenders offer terms of 10 to 25 years, depending on the planning status, the borrower’s affordability, and the intended use of the land. Land with full planning permission is more likely to qualify for longer-term finance because the risk of the land being unprofitable is reduced.
Land Bridging Loans
A land bridging loan is a short-term option, typically lasting 1 to 36 months. Bridging loans are designed for speed and flexibility, making them ideal for auction land purchases, land without planning permission, or as a temporary solution while you arrange longer-term finance such as a land mortgage or development finance. If you’re buying land to build on, development finance is another short-term funding option. It usually runs for 6-36 months, covering both the land purchase and 100% of build costs, with repayment expected upon sale, refinance, or completion of the project.
Which Option Offers the Longest Term?
- For long-term land ownership, a land mortgage is the longest option, offering terms up to 25 years.
- If you only need temporary funding while securing planning permission or waiting for development approval, a land bridging loan or development finance is better, but terms are much shorter.
Bridging calculator
Land 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, Ltd co, LLP, Trusts, Offshore Trusts |
| Repayment type | Interest only |
| Max Loan to Value (LTV) | 65% max |
| Term | Max 36 months |
| Minimum loan | £40,000 |
| Experience | Not required |
| Max applicants | 6 |
| Uses | Agricultural land, business use, self build, pre-planning |
Published indicative terms for the wider product category are shown for context. They are not a quote for the specific circumstances discussed in this guide.
| 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) |
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Frequently asked questions
Can first-time buyers get a land bridging loan in the UK?
Yes, first-time buyers can obtain a land bridging loan in the UK, but criteria are stricter than for experienced borrowers. Lenders typically require a higher deposit, a clear exit strategy, and may impose lower loan-to-value limits due to the increased risk profile.
What is a land bridging loan?
A land bridging loan is a short-term, secured loan used to purchase land in the UK where a standard mortgage is not available. It is commonly used for land without planning permission or without provable income and is repaid within a defined period, usually 6 to 24 months.
Can I borrow against land with a bridging loan?
You can borrow against land, but lenders offer lower loan-to-values than on buildings, and lower again without planning permission, because land value is less certain and harder to sell. Land with planning is usually bridged as a step towards development finance.
What is the difference between a land mortgage and a bridging loan for land?
Land mortgage is a longer-term loan repaid in instalments and is usually only available where the land already generates income, such as through parking, storage, or lease agreements. A bridging loan for land is short-term finance assessed on the land's value and exit strategy rather than ongoing income, making it more commonly used at the point of acquisition.
What is an exit strategy in land bridging finance?
An exit strategy in land bridging finance is the borrower's plan for repaying the loan at the end of its term, most commonly through selling the land, refinancing onto longer-term finance, or completing a development. Lenders assess the credibility of this exit strategy closely because land bridging loans are not underwritten on personal or business income.
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