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Bridging Loans

Short-term property finance, funded in days. Compare regulated and unregulated bridging rates from 200+ UK lenders for auction purchases, chain breaks, renovations, and more.

What is a bridging loan and what does it cost?

A bridging loan is short-term property finance, typically running one to twenty-four months, used to complete a purchase before longer-term funding or a sale is in place. It is priced per month rather than as an APR, because expressing a twelve-month facility as an annual rate produces a number that compares badly with a mortgage running for decades. Lenders underwrite the exit, meaning your plan for repaying, as carefully as the property itself. Without a credible, evidenced exit, most applications are declined regardless of the loan-to-value.

How bridging interest is charged

ServicedRolled upRetained
Monthly paymentYes, interest onlyNoneNone
Cash you receiveFull net advanceFull net advanceReduced by projected interest
Total interest costLowest, no compoundingHighest, compounds monthlyBetween the two
SuitsBorrowers with reliable monthly incomeProjects with no income until exitBorrowers who want certainty and no monthly outgoing

Lenders on our panel for this

Bridging lenders on the Lendus panel. Rates are quoted per month, and are not converted to an APR here because the two are not interchangeable.

LenderFacility sizePublished rateDecision
Atelier Finance£3m–£40mBBR+4.99%–BBR+6.99%No fixed turnaround time is published. Atelier states it offers direct access to decision-makers for faster credit-backed approvals, with a dedicated drawdown team for ongoing project drawdowns.
Avamore Capital£250k–£25m0.56%–N/AAvamore states a bridging loan can typically be obtained within 3 to 4 days, depending on documentation and solicitor responsiveness. Refurbishment finance is often approved within 24 hours, which Avamore contrasts with the multi-week timelines it says are typical elsewhere.
CrowdProperty£200k–£10m0.65%–1.1%Indicative terms within 48 hours; full credit decision within 2 weeks; drawdown from 4 weeks
Hampshire Trust Bank£0k–£35mNot publishedBridging finance targets 21 days from application to completion, supported by dual legal representation; specialist mortgage and development finance timescales are assessed case by case with a broker
LendInvest£75k–£15m0.54%–1.2%Credit decision within 24–48 hours; legal completion 2–4 weeks
Octopus Real Estate£50k–£100m0.55%–0.85%+No fixed timeframe is published. Octopus states it delivers fast completions, even on complex cases, with a dedicated case team for large bridging and development loans; exact timescales are confirmed once a case is submitted.
Precise Mortgages£75k–£15m0.59%–1.3%Credit decision within 48 hours; completion typically 3–4 weeks
Recognise Bank£250k–£10m0.79% per month (bridging, residential security)–9.50% p.a. (commercial mortgage Standard Variable Rate)Online enquiry takes just minutes to submit; Recognise Bank aims to make initial contact within 24 hours and to provide indicative terms within 48 hours. A specific timeframe for final funds release is not published.
Roma Finance£75k–£3mNot publishedService level target of a response within 24 hours; Roma Finance states 80% of RomaFLOW bridging cases complete within 28 days, and cites a record bridging completion of 5.5 hours and a record buy-to-let completion of 6 days
Shawbrook Bank£50k–£25m0.55%–1.25%Indicative terms within 24 hours; completion typically 2–4 weeks
Together£50k–£25m0.55%–1.5%Indicative terms within 24 hours; completion 2–4 weeks
West One Loans£50k–£20m0.55%–1.3%Credit decision within 24 hours; completion typically 2–3 weeks

Figures as published by each lender and dated on its own page. Indicative, not offers.

People also ask

What is the difference between serviced, rolled and retained interest?

Serviced means you pay the interest monthly from your own cash flow and repay the capital on exit. Rolled up means interest accrues and compounds, with everything settled at the end, so nothing leaves your account during the term. Retained means the lender deducts all projected interest from the advance at the outset, so you receive a smaller net sum but pay nothing monthly. Rolled up costs the most in absolute terms; retained reduces the cash you actually receive.

How quickly can a bridging loan complete?

Specialist lenders can complete in five to fourteen days where the title is clean and a valuation is available. Complex security, unusual titles or an incomplete legal pack push that out to three to six weeks. Speed is the main reason borrowers accept bridging pricing over a conventional mortgage, so a lender's realistic timescale matters as much as its rate.

What is an exit strategy?

It is your plan for repaying the loan, usually the sale of a property, a refinance onto a term mortgage, or a known incoming lump sum. Lenders will want it evidenced, not asserted: a sale needs a realistic valuation and marketing position, a refinance needs a lender willing to take it on. A weak exit is the most common reason a bridging application fails.

Is bridging regulated?

It depends on the security, not the borrower. Lending secured against a property the borrower or a close family member occupies is generally a regulated mortgage contract. Lending for business or investment purposes secured on property they do not occupy is generally unregulated. Several lenders on our panel do only unregulated business, and that distinction changes what protections apply.

200+ UK lenders
2-minute application
No credit check to apply
FCA-regulated brokers

Speed

3-14 days

Rates From

0.4%/month

LTV

Up to 80%

Amounts

£25k–£25m

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Browse by use case

Auction Property

Win at auction with confidence. When the hammer falls, you typically have 28 days to complete, far too tight for a conventional mortgage. A bridging loan puts the funds in your account within days, letting you bid on residential lots, commercial units, repossessions, and unusual properties that high-street lenders won't touch. Once you own the asset you can refinance, renovate and sell, or move in at your own pace.

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Buy Before Selling

Stop waiting for your current home to sell before you can move. A buy-before-selling bridge lets you complete on your new property immediately, using the equity in your existing home as security. You move, settle in, then sell your old property at your own pace, without the pressure of a collapsing chain or an impatient buyer rushing your decision. It is the modern alternative to the traditional property chain.

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Chain Break

One weak link should not cost you your home. When a buyer withdraws, a mortgage falls through, or a lower chain collapses, a chain-break bridging loan lets you proceed with your purchase regardless. You buy independently of the sale, remove yourself from the chain entirely, and sell your existing property as a vacant, ready-to-move-into home, typically achieving a better price and a faster sale than a chain-encumbered listing.

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Buy-to-Let Purchase

Move faster than the competition on investment properties. When a desirable rental property comes to market or a portfolio deal needs to complete before month end, a buy-to-let bridging loan lets you exchange and complete in days rather than weeks. Bridge the purchase now and refinance onto a standard BTL mortgage once the property is tenanted and producing rental income that satisfies a mortgage lender's stress test.

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Commercial Property

Commercial bridging finance unlocks transactions that mainstream lenders cannot process quickly enough, or at all. Whether you are acquiring a retail unit, an office building, a pub, a hotel, or a mixed-use block, a commercial bridge gives you the speed to outmanoeuvre competitors, complete distressed acquisitions, and position assets for long-term commercial mortgage refinance. Lenders focus on asset value and exit viability, not just trading history.

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Development Exit

You have built it, now optimise how you exit it. When a development project reaches practical completion, the expensive development finance facility that funded the build is no longer appropriate. A development exit bridge lets you refinance off high-rate development debt at significantly lower rates, buying you the time to sell units individually at market value rather than accepting a bulk discount, or to re-tenant a scheme before refinancing onto long-term investment debt.

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House Purchase

Secure your next home before the mortgage paperwork catches up. Whether you are moving to a new area, upsizing at speed, or buying a property that temporarily falls outside standard lending criteria, a bridging loan gives you the transactional speed of a cash buyer. You complete on your new home now and repay the bridge when your existing property sells or your long-term mortgage funds.

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Land Purchase

Secure a plot before it slips away. Land transactions are notoriously difficult to finance through conventional channels: most high-street lenders simply will not lend against bare land, and specialist development lenders often require planning permission before they will engage. A land bridging loan lets you acquire the site immediately, with or without planning, and gives you the runway to obtain consent and arrange long-term development finance.

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Regulated Bridging

The same speed as an unregulated bridge, with the full protection of FCA regulation. When your bridging loan is secured against a property you live in, or intend to live in, it becomes a Regulated Mortgage Contract, and you are entitled to the same consumer protections as any standard residential mortgage. Regulated bridging finance is ideal for homeowners who need to move fast without sacrificing their legal rights.

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Refurbishment

A dated kitchen, tired bathrooms, and tired carpets should not stand between you and your next property deal. Light refurbishment bridging loans fund cosmetic and moderate improvement works, without the complexity of a full development facility. Draw the purchase funds on day one, complete your refurbishment quickly, and exit onto a buy-to-let mortgage, a residential remortgage, or a straightforward sale at the improved value.

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Renovation

Fund the purchase and full refurbishment of a property in one facility. Whether you are flipping a tired Victorian terrace, converting a former pub into flats, or upgrading a dated family home to a high-end finish, a renovation bridging loan advances funds in tranches as the work progresses, so you are only paying interest on what you have drawn. Repay when the property sells or refinances at its improved value.

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Second Charge Bridging

Access the equity in your property without disturbing your existing mortgage. A second charge bridging loan sits behind your first mortgage lender, unlocking capital from property you already own, for a business opportunity, a property purchase, tax liabilities, or any purpose where speed matters. You keep your existing mortgage terms intact, avoid early repayment charges, and repay the second charge bridge from a defined exit event.

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Compare bridging loan rates from 200+ lenders, 2 minutes, no credit check

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Representative cost example

Borrow £200,000 for 6 months at 0.75% per month. Total cost: ~£13,500 (interest £9,000 + arrangement fee 2% £4,000 + valuation ~£500). Your rate depends on LTV and property type.

Related resources

Frequently asked questions

What is a bridging loan?
A bridging loan is short-term secured finance, typically lasting 1-18 months, used to bridge a financial gap, most commonly between buying a new property and selling an existing one. They're secured against property and repaid as a lump sum.
How quickly can I get a bridging loan?
Most bridging loans complete within 2-4 weeks, though some lenders can move in as little as 3-5 days for straightforward cases. This is significantly faster than a standard mortgage which takes 6-12 weeks.
What interest rates do bridging loans charge?
Bridging loan rates typically range from 0.4% to 1.5% per month, depending on the LTV, property type, and your profile. This is higher than mortgage rates but bridging is designed for short-term use.
Do I need an exit strategy?
Yes, every bridging lender requires a clear exit strategy, how you will repay the loan. The most common exit strategies are selling a property, refinancing to a standard mortgage, or using funds from another source.
Can I get a bridging loan with bad credit?
Yes, several specialist bridging lenders work with borrowers who have imperfect credit. You may face a higher rate or lower LTV, but options exist. The property security is often more important than your credit profile.
What's the difference between regulated and unregulated bridging?
Regulated bridging loans are secured against property you or your family will live in and are overseen by the FCA. Unregulated bridging is for investment or commercial property and has fewer restrictions but also fewer consumer protections.

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