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bridging-iconBridging Loans

Speed, Certainty & Expertise

Delivering fast, flexible short-term finance for over 20 years, we have developed a strong reputation for personalised lending and built an extensive portfolio of bridging loans tailored to a wide range of client needs. Our highly experienced underwriting team delivers the speed, certainty and flexibility required to help get your clients’ projects over the line — on time and with confidence.

Bridging loans provide short-term finance for borrowers who require finance temporarily and quickly. Ideal for refinancing, auction purchases, property refurbishment and acquiring land or semi-commercial/commercial assets.

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Residential Bridging-3

Residential

Purchasing, refurbishing or refinancing residential properties for use as primary residence or investment purposes.

Commercial Semi-Commercial Bridging

Commercial / Semi-Commercial

Short-term finance for purchasing or refinancing a commercial or semi-commercial property.
Land Bridging

Land

Finance for purchasing or refinancing land, either with or without planning permission.

Range Criteria

Residential

Range

Regulated

Regulated bridging typically involves lending on a property that is currently.

Purchase

Where purchasing a residential investment property, any works required are funded by the borrower.

Refinance

For short term cash flow needs or refinances of existing charges.

Commercial / Semi Commercial

Range

Purchase

Purchasing a commercial or semi-commercial asset.

Refinance

For short term cash flow or refinances of existing charges.

 

Land

Range

Purchase

Purchasing a plot of land.

 

Refinance

For short-term cash flow or refinances of existing charges.

 

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Why West One?

  • Provide certainty of finance
  • Streamlined application with fast approval process
  • Highly experienced, dedicated underwriter is assigned to each case
  • Each case assessed on its own merits with a unique approach to credit risk
  • Experts in complex, and the straightforward cases

Key Product Features

  • Regulated and unregulated loans as either 1st or 2nd charges
  • Loans from £75,000 to £30m (higher on referral)
  • Max LTV up to 75% 
  • 1 month term minimum
  • No early repayment charges applicable
  • Loans secured against all property types (residential, semi-commercial, commercial).
  • Lending across England, Wales and Mainland Scotland

Award Winning Specialist Lending

Crystal Ball Awards 21 - Winner
Crystal Ball Awards 23 - Winner
Mortgage Strategy Second Place Winner
The Mortgage Awards
PRA Winner Award
Crystal Ball Awards 21 - Winner
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Let us help you get started

Talk to our expert bridging loans team today to discover how our diverse product range can solve your finance needs. 

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Become an Introducer

Introduce business to West One

If you would like to discuss a case, register as an introducer or learn more about what West One has to offer, simply complete the short enquiry form below and a member of our broker support team will get in touch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Basics

What are bridging loans?Copy link to "What are bridging loans?"

A bridging loan is a short-term, interest-only loan that provides extremely fast access to capital. Bridging finance is secured, meaning the borrower uses property (or land) as security to the lending institution. Bridging loans can be regulated, which applies when the loan is secured against a property that the borrower intends to live in or use as their primary residence; or unregulated, which is often used to bridge a payment shortfall on any other property that the borrower intends to repay at a later stage – whether through refinancing, sale or other means.

 

Who are bridging loans for?Copy link to "Who are bridging loans for?"

There are a range of people who may have use for a bridging loan, including, but not limited to those who:
  • Need to complete quickly (such as when a deal becomes available with only a short window to purchase)
  • Are purchasing through a property auction to facilitate faster completion within the 28-day window
  • Are in a broken property chain. This can help sellers of one property to secure a new property before the sale of their property goes through (often regulated)
  • Want to buy uninhabitable property. Bridging lenders will base its lending on the property’s current condition, allowing the buyer to access the property and renovate to make it habitable (with a fully functioning bathroom, kitchen, plumbing, and heating)
  • Are looking to renovate or develop a current property with a view to sell it on or refinance after increasing its value
  • Have to get planning permission prior to securing development funding, bridging loans provide quick access to capital for planning permission

How long do bridging loans take to complete?Copy link to "How long do bridging loans take to complete?"

Typical timeframes for completion are around two weeks from enquiry (on average). However, we have completed bridging loans in as little as 2 days.

Criteria

What are the particulars of bridging loans with West One?Copy link to "What are the particulars of bridging loans with West One?"

This will be determined case by case. West One lends from £75k to £30m. Loans above £30m are considered upon referral. Interest rates start at 0.75% p/m. Max LTVs of up to 75% is possible. Loan periods are between 1-24 months. ERCs are not applicable in most cases. Upfront fees are applicable (please see Tariff of Charges).

What affordability criteria are applied to bridging loans?Copy link to "What affordability criteria are applied to bridging loans?"

We do not carry out employment checks on applicants. We also do not credit score applicants unless they provide permission to do so. As long as the client has a clear exit route, there are very few limitations to the type of borrower we will lend to.

Application Process

What is the process once the application has been sent?Copy link to "What is the process once the application has been sent?"

Once we receive the application form, we will instruct solicitors and the valuation simultaneously. Once the valuation report and legal due diligence has been completed, we will then issue a Facility Letter (or Mortgage Offer) alongside a suite of legal documents for the borrower to sign. Funds will then be sent to the solicitor for completion.