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Bridging Finance UK: The Complete Guide to Bridging Loans
A bridging loan is short-term finance secured on property, usually for 1 to 24 months, used when speed matters more than the lowest possible rate: buying at auction, funding a refurbishment before a mortgage is possible, or completing a purchase before a sale or refinance lands. UK bridging rates start from around 0.55% a month, with loans typically up to 70 to 75% of the property's value.
This guide brings together everything on bridging finance in the UK: what a bridge is and how it works, what it really costs, commercial and second-charge bridging, how developers use bridges before development finance, and the alternatives when a bridge is the wrong tool.
We arrange unregulated, business-purpose bridging for investors, developers and companies through a panel of 100+ lenders. We are not authorised by the FCA and do not arrange bridging secured on a home you or your family live in; for that you need an FCA-authorised adviser.
- Guides
- 25
- Calculators
- 4
- Comparisons
- 1
The guide, by topic
Everything in one place,
organised by topic.
Bridging loans explained
What a bridging loan is, how it works, how fast it can be and when to use something else.
- What Is a Bridging Loan? A Plain-English UK Definition
- How Does a Bridging Loan Work? Step by Step, With Numbers
- Fast Bridging Loans: How Quickly Can You Really Get Funds?
- Unregulated Bridging Loans: What They Are and Who Uses Them
- Regulated Bridging Loans: What They Are and How They Work
- Alternatives to Bridging Loans: When a Bridge Is the Wrong Tool
Rates and costs
Current rates, how interest is charged, the full fee picture and worked cost examples.
Commercial and structured bridging
Commercial property, second charges, 100% funding, large loans and below-market-value purchases.
Bridging for developers
Auctions, refurbishment, pre-planning purchases and moving onto development finance.
- Bridging Finance for Property Development: A Practical Guide
- Bridging to Development Finance: Transitioning Between Loan Products
- Bridge First, Then Development Finance: When Bridging Comes First
- Bridging Loan vs Development Finance: Total Cost Worked Example
- Using a Bridging Loan to Buy at Auction: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Light vs Heavy Refurbishment Finance: Which Do You Need?
- Automated Valuation Models in Bridging Finance: Speed vs Accuracy
Scotland and referrals
Bridging north of the border, and how introducers refer cases.
Financial calculators
Model the numbers
for your scheme.
Bridging Loan Calculator
Estimate monthly interest, total cost and LTV for your bridging loan.
Auction Finance Calculator
Calculate costs, deposit requirements and timeline for purchasing property at auction with bridging finance.
Chain Break Calculator
Calculate the total cost of using bridging finance to break a property chain and secure your purchase.
Arrangement Fee Calculator
Calculate the true cost of arrangement fees when added to the loan, deducted from advance or paid upfront.
Ready when you are
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Submit your scheme and a partner will come back with an initial structure and indicative terms within one working day.