What to compare
- Net advance on day one, not just the gross loan
- Total cost over your realistic term, including fees; see how much a bridging loan costs
- Valuation basis: market value or a 90-day or 180-day value
- Interest options: retained, rolled up or serviced
- Minimum interest periods and exit fees
- Appetite for your property type, location, credit profile and experience
- Extension terms and default interest
- Whether works can be funded and how releases work
Approaching lenders yourself
You can apply to a bridging lender yourself, and some borrowers with a simple case and an established relationship do so. The drawbacks are time and visibility: each lender has its own criteria, and applying to the wrong one can mean a declined case, a wasted valuation fee and lost time against a deadline.
What a broker adds
A whole-of-market broker compares lenders against your case, presents it in the way lenders expect and manages the process to completion. For complex cases, such as heavy works, adverse credit or unusual property, knowing which lenders will genuinely consider the case is often worth more than a small difference in rate.
We compare lenders across the market and you can see indicative terms from lenders on our panel on Instant Quotes, then apply online. We may charge you a fee for our services and, in addition, the lender we introduce you to will typically pay us a commission, either as a fixed fee or as a percentage of the amount you borrow. Where a client fee, broker fee, appraisal fee or commitment fee applies, this will be disclosed separately before you proceed.
Checking who you deal with
Check that any firm arranging regulated bridging is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can search firms and individuals on the FCA register. For non-regulated bridging, check the lender's track record, its funding sources and how long it has been lending.
Be cautious of anyone who promises approval or a completion date before seeing the valuation and legal position, or asks for large upfront fees before terms are issued. Our lender directory summarises lenders on our panel from their own published information.
Regulated cases
If the property is, or will be, lived in by you or a close family member, the loan is a regulated mortgage contract and comes with additional protections. We will tell you at the outset if that applies and how your case will be handled. Fewer lenders offer regulated bridging; see regulated and non-regulated bridging.
Questions to ask before you proceed
- What will I receive on day one, after retained interest and fees?
- What is the total I will repay if the loan runs for my expected term, and if it runs three months longer?
- Is there a minimum interest period, and is unused retained interest refunded?
- Which value will the loan be based on: market value or a restricted-period value?
- What happens if I need to extend, and what does it cost?
- What personal guarantees or additional security are required?
- What fees are payable before the offer, and are any refundable?
Clear answers to these questions make lenders directly comparable and avoid surprises at completion or exit.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to go to a bridging lender directly?
Not necessarily. Many lenders offer the same pricing whether or not a broker is involved, and comparing the market can find better overall terms. Any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
How do I check a broker is authorised?
Search the firm on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk, which shows its permissions and status.
What should I compare besides the rate?
The net advance, total cost over your term, valuation basis, exit fees, minimum interest period and extension terms.
What are the warning signs of a bad bridging lender or broker?
Promises of approval before valuation, large upfront fees before written terms, unclear costs, pressure to sign quickly and details you cannot verify.
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.
