About you
- Photo identity, such as a passport or driving licence
- Proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement
- An assets and liabilities statement, listing property, savings and debts
- A property schedule if you own other property, with values, mortgages and rents
- A short CV of your property experience, especially for works or development
- Details of any adverse credit, with a brief explanation
For regulated cases, lenders also need evidence of income and outgoings, such as payslips, tax returns and bank statements.
About the property
- The address, purchase price or current value, and tenure
- The sales particulars or auction legal pack
- Leases, if leasehold or let
- Planning permissions, building regulation certificates and warranties where relevant
- Photos, particularly for property in poor condition
- Details of any existing mortgages, with redemption figures
You can download title registers and plans from HM Land Registry to check ownership and charges early.
Deposit and source of funds
Lenders and solicitors must verify where your money comes from. Expect to provide bank statements showing the deposit, and evidence of how it built up, such as sale proceeds, savings, business income or a gift letter with the donor's evidence. Clear, consistent evidence avoids repeated questions later.
Exit evidence
- Sale exit: agents' valuations, comparable sales, or for a closed chain break, confirmation of exchange
- Refinance exit: a mortgage agreement in principle or a summary from a mortgage adviser, with expected rent where relevant
- Other exits: documentary evidence of the funds, such as probate papers or a contract of sale
See bridging exit strategies for what makes an exit credible.
Companies, works and development
Company borrowers should have the certificate of incorporation, a structure chart, details of all directors and significant shareholders, and accounts where the company trades. Expect lenders to ask for personal guarantees.
For refurbishment, provide a costed schedule of works, a programme, contractor details and evidence of end value. For development, a full pack: appraisal, planning documents, drawings, build contract, professional team and track record.
Before you apply
You can compare lenders on Instant Quotes without documents, then upload what you have when you apply. Having this list ready shortens the timescale; see how long a bridging loan takes.
Why documents get queried
Most delays on bridging cases come from documents that raise new questions, rather than from missing ones. Common examples include:
- Bank statements that show large deposits without an explanation of their source
- Addresses or names that differ between documents
- An assets and liabilities statement that does not match the credit search
- A schedule of works without costs, or with costs that look low for the work described
- Exit evidence that relies on asking prices rather than completed sales
Checking your documents for consistency before you submit them, and adding a short note where something needs explaining, saves days of back and forth with the lender and solicitors.
Common questions
Do I need proof of income for a bridging loan?
Not usually for non-regulated bridging with interest retained or rolled up. Regulated cases, and loans where interest is serviced, need evidence of income.
What is an assets and liabilities statement?
A summary of what you own and owe, including property, savings and debts. Lenders use it to understand your overall position.
Do I need a solicitor before applying?
You can apply first, but instructing a solicitor experienced in bridging early helps the legal work start promptly.
This guide is for general information only and should not be treated as legal, tax or financial advice. Lender requirements depend on the property and your circumstances.
