Refurbishment Finance
in Braintree

The distinction between refurbishment finance and development finance matters for pricing and structure. Refurbishment facilities typically carry higher interest rates than development finance but lower arrangement fees and shorter completion timelines. For projects where the existing structure is retained and the works are primarily internal, refurbishment finance is usually the appropriate product.

Permitted development conversions — particularly office-to-residential under Class MA — have created significant opportunities for refurbishment finance. These conversions can be completed faster than new-build schemes and at lower cost, but they require careful assessment of the building's suitability, including floor-to-ceiling heights, natural light, and structural capacity for residential loading.

Energy efficiency improvements are increasingly factored into refurbishment finance decisions. Lenders recognise that properties refurbished to high EPC ratings command premium rents and sales values, and some offer preferential terms for projects that demonstrably improve energy performance. This is particularly relevant for older properties where an EPC upgrade is part of the refurbishment scope.

London and the South East remain the UK's most active property development markets, underpinned by persistent housing undersupply against some of the strongest demand fundamentals in Europe. Land values are elevated but so are achievable sales prices, creating viable margins for well-structured schemes — particularly in outer boroughs and commuter towns where affordability pressures are redirecting buyer demand.