Everything you need
to know about bridging loans.

A bridging loan is a short-term secured loan, typically lasting between 3 and 24 months, used to bridge a financial gap. The most common use is property purchase — for example, buying a new home before your existing one sells, or completing on an auction property within 28 days.

The loan is secured against property and is repaid when your exit strategy completes — usually a sale or longer-term mortgage refinance.

Common uses include: buying at property auction, breaking a property chain, purchasing an uninhabitable property (which a mortgage won't cover), refurbishment and conversion projects, commercial property purchases, raising capital quickly against an existing property, and buying at speed before securing long-term finance.

A mortgage is long-term finance (typically 25 years) with monthly repayments. A bridging loan is short-term (3–24 months), with interest usually rolled up and repaid at the end. Bridging loans can be arranged much faster and are available on properties that standard lenders won't touch — including uninhabitable homes, auction purchases, and commercial assets.

AF Credit lends from £26,000 to £2 million. The maximum loan amount is typically 75% of the property value (LTV) on residential assets. Commercial and mixed-use LTV is assessed individually. The actual amount available depends on the property, exit strategy, and your circumstances.

We lend to individuals, limited companies, LLPs, and SPVs. We consider UK residents and non-UK residents (subject to additional requirements). Offshore structures are considered on a case-by-case basis. There is no minimum income requirement, but a credible exit strategy is essential.

We lend on residential property (houses, flats, HMOs, uninhabitable), commercial property (offices, retail, industrial, warehouses), semi-commercial and mixed-use property, and refurbishment/conversion projects. We lend across England and Wales.

We assess each application individually and do not apply rigid credit score thresholds. We take a common-sense view of credit history and focus heavily on the exit strategy, security value, and overall case merits. Adverse credit is considered.

AF Credit's rates start from 0.79% per month. The rate offered depends on the loan-to-value ratio, property type, loan term, and your individual circumstances. We will confirm the rate in your indicative terms before you proceed.

Interest is usually rolled up and added to the loan, meaning you make no monthly payments. The total interest owed is repaid at the end of the term alongside the capital. This keeps monthly outgoings to zero during the bridging period. Serviced interest (monthly payments) is also available on request.

Typical fees include an arrangement fee (usually 1–2% of the loan), legal fees (your solicitor and ours), and a valuation fee (waived if using our AVM or desktop valuation options). All fees are disclosed upfront in your indicative terms — there are no hidden charges.

AF Credit provides same-day indicative terms on qualifying cases. After a formal application, we can progress to legal instruction within 12 hours. Completion is typically possible within 5–10 working days, though complex or commercial cases may take longer.

Not always. We are one of the UK's leading no-valuation bridging lenders. On eligible properties, we use AVM (automated valuation model) or desktop valuations instead of a physical survey. This can save 2–3 weeks and remove a significant upfront cost. Speak to our team to find out if your property qualifies.

An exit strategy is how you plan to repay the bridging loan at the end of the term. Common exits include: selling the property, refinancing onto a standard mortgage, or using funds from another source. A credible and realistic exit strategy is one of the most important parts of any bridging loan application.

It is important to have a realistic exit strategy in place before borrowing. If circumstances change, contact us as early as possible — we will work with you to explore options. However, if the loan is not repaid, the lender may enforce its security. Your property may be repossessed if you do not repay your loan within the agreed term.

Yes. We welcome enquiries from brokers and introducers. You'll have direct access to our underwriting team with clear, fast appetite responses. To register as an introducer, email [email protected].

Yes. We pay competitive procuration fees to registered introducers. Contact our team for details.