Bridging loan: Are you eligible?

Each lender will have its own list of eligibility criteria if you want to take out a bridging loan. This means that while you might get rejected by one lender, you could be accepted by another. But in general, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old and lenders will usually consider the following factors:

Security against a bridging loan

As bridging loans are a type of secured loan, you’ll need to use an asset as security when you apply for your loan. This could be one property or multiple properties. You can secure the loan against the property you’re buying as well as your existing property. If you’re unable to repay your bridging loan, the lender has a right to repossess the properties with a view to selling them to recoup its money.

Your exit strategy

Your lender will also require you to have an exit strategy when you take out a bridging loan. This shows lenders how you plan to repay the amount borrowed. There are several acceptable exit routes, including:

• Sale of the property: Once the property has sold, the proceeds can be used to pay off the loan.
• Refinancing to a longer-term mortgage: A common exit strategy is to refinance to a residential or buy-to-let mortgage. Some of the cash can then be used to repay the bridging loan.
• Inheritance: You could also choose to use money from an inheritance to repay your bridging loan. The lender will want to see proof that this is a certainty and you’ll usually need to provide a copy of the will, probate documents or confirmation from the acting solicitor. 
• Cashing in on business investments: You might have other investments you can sell to repay your loan.
• Fix and flip: Here, you purchase a property, renovate it and then put the property back on the market for resale at a profit.
• Development: This is where you buy a large residential property for development and convert it into multiple units either for resale or rental. 

How much do you want to borrow?

Depending on the lender, you’ll typically need to borrow at least £10,000 to £25,000. There’s not usually an upper limit to the amount you can borrow.  

What do you plan to use a bridging loan for?

You’ll need to tell the lender what you want to use your bridging loan funds for. This might be to:

• Buy a new property before an existing one is sold
• Buy a property at auction
• Purchase a property that needs to be refurbished and is not suitable for a traditional mortgage
• Expand your property portfolio.

Your credit score and credit history

As with any form of finance, the better your credit rating, the better your chances of being accepted for a bridging loan and securing the lowest interest rates. That said, lenders will be less concerned about your credit history compared to other forms of borrowing. Instead, they will be more focused on the asset you use as security and the strength of your exit plan.

If you’re planning to sell the security property to repay your loan, your credit history won’t matter as much as long as there’s a good chance of the property selling during the term of the loan. But if your exit strategy is to refinance, your credit history will be more important as you’ll need to meet the lender’s criteria. 

If you have poor credit, you could still be eligible for a bridging loan, but interest rates might be slightly higher. 

The deposit size 

Most bridging loans require a deposit of at least 25% to 30%, but the more you can put down, the better the interest rate you’re likely to secure. 

Proof of income

If your exit strategy is the sale of a property, your lender is unlikely to require proof of income as there are usually no monthly interest payments to make. Interest is usually added into the loan and repaid once the property is sold. However, if you’re planning to refinance, you might need to show evidence of your income to help the lender assess whether you’re in a good financial position to remortgage.