Insights
Make your next move an informed one.
Practical guides to how commercial bridging works, what it costs and how a case gets through underwriting. We are a broker, not a financial adviser, so take independent advice where your situation needs it.
The essentials
9 min readWhat is commercial bridging?What is a commercial bridging loan? A plain-English guide to how short-term commercial property finance works, what it costs, who qualifies and the risks.Read the guide 8 min readBridging vs commercial mortgageCommercial bridging loan vs commercial mortgage: a side-by-side comparison of speed, cost, terms and lender criteria, and when to bridge then refinance.Read the guide 9 min readAlternatives to bridgingAlternatives to bridging loans on commercial property: mortgages, development finance, second charges, JV equity, vendor finance and delayed completion.Read the guide 9 min readRegulated vs unregulated bridgingRegulated vs unregulated bridging loan explained: the FCA 40% dwelling test, semi-commercial examples, borrower protections and who arranges each.Read the guide 8 min readOpen vs closed bridgingOpen vs closed bridging loan explained for commercial property: fixed or flexible repayment dates, how lenders view each, worked examples and how to choose.Read the guide 9 min readBridging for limited companiesHow a bridging loan for a limited company works: SPVs, trading companies, LLPs and overseas entities, lender checks, guarantees, security and tax advice.Read the guide
Costs and structure
10 min readBridging fees explainedBridging loan fees explained: arrangement, valuation, legal, exit, broker and extension fees, how each is calculated and how to compare the total cost.Read the guide 10 min readBridging interest explainedHow is bridging loan interest calculated? Monthly and daily interest, simple vs compound, minimum terms and early repayment, with illustrative worked numbers.Read the guide 8 min readRetained vs rolled-up interestHow a retained interest bridging loan compares with rolled-up and serviced interest, with illustrative worked numbers, net cash effects and early repayment.Read the guide 9 min readCommercial bridging LTVCommercial bridging loan LTV explained: how lenders calculate it, gross vs net LTV, limits by property type, additional security and LTGDV on works.Read the guide 8 min readFirst vs second chargeFirst charge vs second charge bridging: how charge priority works, when a lender needs consent, combined LTV, pricing and which position suits your deal.Read the guide 8 min readPersonal guaranteesWhat a personal guarantee on a bridging loan means: limited vs unlimited guarantees, when lenders ask, what happens on a shortfall and why advice matters.Read the guide
Process and risk
9 min readApplication checklistBridging loan requirements for commercial property: the borrower, property, exit, works and KYC documents lenders ask for, with a checklist to prepare early.Read the guide 8 min readBridging loan timescalesHow long does a bridging loan take on commercial property? A stage-by-stage timeline from enquiry to completion, what slows it down and how to speed it up.Read the guide 9 min readBridging valuationsBridging loan valuation explained: RICS market value, 90 and 180-day values, GDV, who instructs the valuer, timings and how to prepare for the visit.Read the guide 8 min readBridging loan solicitorsWhat a bridging loan solicitor does on a commercial bridge, how the lender's solicitor differs, when dual representation helps and what slows the legal work.Read the guide 9 min readBridging exit strategiesA bridging loan exit strategy is how you repay the bridge. See every exit route on commercial property, the evidence lenders want and what to do if it slips.Read the guide 9 min readExtensions and defaultsWhat happens in a bridging loan default on commercial property: default interest, extensions, refinancing to a new lender, receivership and how to act early.Read the guide 8 min readBridging with adverse creditCan you get a commercial bridging loan with bad credit? How lenders view CCJs, defaults, arrears and bankruptcy, why the exit matters and how to prepare.Read the guide
Planning and works
10 min readClass MA explainedClass MA permitted development explained: the 2-year Class E use rule, March 2024 changes, prior approval matters, exclusions, timeline and key risks.Read the guide 9 min readLight vs heavy refurbishmentLight refurbishment vs heavy refurbishment: how bridging lenders define each, structural works, planning and building regs, and how the finance differs.Read the guide
Looking up a term? See the commercial bridging glossary or the FAQs.
What's your next move?
Tell us about the property and the loan you need. We come back with indicative terms and tell you plainly if any part of it is regulated.