Bridging Loan Lending criteria

There are well over 150 bridging loan providers in the UK. These range from large lending institutions to private individuals.

With so many lenders, interest rates, fees and other costs vary considerably, but so does the lending criteria. Every lender has their own criteria, some look to do the low risk facilities, others specialise, having their own niche facilities.

Our extensive panel of lenders allows us to provide the following:

Loan Sizes

£50,000 to £1 billion

Although in theory there is no upper limit

Term

1 day to 36 months

By definition a bridging loan is a short term facility ranging from 1 day to 12 months.

However, most bridging lenders offer terms up to 18 months (12 months maximum for regulated bridging loans).

Some lenders provide short term loan facilities up to 36 months.

Please note - Regulated loans are limited to 12 months due to FCA regulations.

Security

Most bridging loan providers require property as security. This could be just one property, or several. They will secure their loan by taking a charge over the property or properties. This is registered at land registry by way of a first charge, second charge or even a third charge.

A first charge is used when the property is unencumbered (no existing loans or mortgages secured against it), or if the existing lender is being cleared using some or all of the proceeds of the bridging loan.

Second and third charges are used when there is an existing charge but it is not being cleared.

Property types

We can look at all property types:

• Houses
• Bungalows
• Flats
• Mixed use properties (ie shop with flat or flats above)
• Shops
• Offices
• Industrial units
• Care home
• Hotels
• Health clubs
• Restaurants
• Pubs
• B & Bs
• Farmland
• Development land (with or without planning)
• Parking spaces
• Holiday homes

Residential property is the most popular type of security, so attract the cheapest deals.

Other security

There are some lenders who will lend against assets such as jewellery, watches, vehicles, antiques, gold, precious gems and art. Please call us for further information.

Property condition

Bridging lenders will lend on properties that are in a poor state of repair, in need of restoration or need to be completely demolished.

Bridging loans are a perfect solution for raising funds against property considered unsuitable for mortgage purposes.

Location

Loan facilities are available nationwide:

• London + within M25   - Specialist Low Cost Plans Available

80% (approx) of the loans that we provide are within the M25

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland   (Limited facilities up to 50% LTV)

We also have facilities for:

• Europe
• USA

Availability

Bridging loans are available to individuals and businesses. Facilities can be set up for:

• Private individuals
• Limited companies
• Partnerships
• Offshore companies

Age of applicant

From 18 years old upwards. Some lenders have an upper limit, some do not. However the applicant needs to be completely aware of what they are doing, unless there is a Power of Attorney in place.

Credit History

Many lenders are not too bothered about credit history. Facilities available for:

• CCJs
• Defaults
• Arrears – current or poor payment hsitory
• IVAs
• Bankruptcy – if discharged or funds are being used to discharge the bankruptcy
• Repossessions – bridging is often used to stop repossessions or to regain possession of a property
• Statutory Demands
• Winding up orders

Income evidence

Many facilities do not require any proof of income. This is because monthly interest payments are not required as the interest is paid when the loan is cleared.

Loan use

Bridging loans can be used for almost any legal purpose, including:

• Maintaining a place in a sale chain (buying a property before the current one is sold)
• Buying a property at auction
• Buying a property in a poor condition
• Paying urgent debts
• Clearing bankruptcies (getting an annulment)
• Funding renovation or other building work
• Business cash injection
• Buying a business
• To bridge a gap whilst waiting for other funds

Read more about bridging loan uses

Interest payments

Most facilities are set up with roll up, deferred or retained interest. This means that the interest is repaid when the loan is redeemed. If required interest can be paid each month on many facilities, but this usually requires confirmation of income and affordability proof.

Exit route (How the bridging loan is to be repaid)

• There are many accepted exit routes, including:
• Sale of a property or asset
• Refinance
• Money due to be received
• Policy reaching maturity
• Inheritance