Black & White Bridging is a specialist short-term property lender offering bridging, refurbishment, development and development exit finance to investors, developers and companies. It describes its approach as transparent lending with no grey areas. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Black & White Bridging; it is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans and refurbishment finance. You can read more on Black & White's own website.
About Black & White Bridging
Black & White Bridging is a trading name of Bath and West Finance Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office in Bristol. It says it grew from a small team based in Bath into a lender with offices in Bristol, London and Manchester, and relationship directors covering most English regions.
Its bridging is unregulated: Black & White says it is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for its products, so it does not lend against a home the borrower or their family lives in. It is supervised by the FCA for anti-money laundering purposes.
Black & White organises its lending into three credit tiers, from a prime tier for clean credit to an asset-focused tier for refurbishment cases, which helps brokers match a case to the right product.
What Black & White Bridging funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Black & White's June 2026 guide shows loans generally from £50,000 to £5 million, with larger loans available by referral. Leverage is measured against a 180-day vacant possession value rather than full open market value.
| Product | What it is for | Maximum leverage | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime residential bridging | Clean or minor credit; purchases, refinance and light works | Up to 75%, lower on larger loans; up to 90% of purchase price on discounted purchases | 3 to 18 months |
| Standard residential and semi-commercial | Borrowers with adverse credit settled before drawdown | Up to 75% | 3 to 15 months |
| Commercial bridging | Commercial property | Up to 65% | 3 to 18 months |
| Land with planning | Sites with planning consent, from £250,000 | Up to 55% | 3 to 18 months |
| Refurbishment bridge | Light and heavy works on residential and semi-commercial; commercial to residential conversions | Up to 70% of day-one value (60% on commercial) and 70% of GDV | 3 to 12 months |
| Development finance | Construction, renovation or redevelopment, from £250,000 | Up to 65% of GDV | Up to 24 months |
| Development exit | Replacing development finance on completed new-build schemes | Up to 70% | 3 to 18 months |
Second charge bridging is available on its prime tier. An automated valuation option may be used on some residential cases. Our guides to auction finance and development exit finance cover two of the common uses.
Who Black & White Bridging suits (and who it may not)
Black & White tends to suit:
- Property investors and companies, including SPVs and offshore companies, buying or refinancing residential, semi-commercial or commercial property.
- Auction and below-market purchases, where lending against the purchase price can help.
- Borrowers with some adverse credit, provided it is settled before drawdown, through its standard tier.
- Investors carrying out refurbishments, including commercial to residential conversions with planning.
- Smaller developers needing development or development exit finance from £250,000.
It may not suit homeowners needing a regulated bridge, non-standard construction on its prime tier, very long terms, or borrowers outside its age range. Leverage on a 180-day value basis can also be lower than lenders using full market value.
What Black & White Bridging looks at
Black & White's tiered approach means credit history matters to which product applies. It looks at:
- Credit profile: its prime tier expects a clean or near-clean record, while other tiers can consider settled adverse credit with an explanation.
- The property and its 180-day vacant possession value, assessed by an approved valuer.
- Construction type and listing: standard construction is expected on the prime tier, with lower leverage on listed buildings.
- The borrower: individuals, typically aged 21 to 85, and UK or offshore companies, with a personal guarantee or debenture.
- The exit, and if interest is serviced, whether income supports the payments.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide range: residential, commercial, land, refurbishment, development and development exit.
- Loans from £50,000, with larger loans by referral.
- Credit tiers allow some adverse credit to be considered.
- Up to 90% of purchase price on discounted residential purchases.
- Offshore companies and SPVs accepted.
Cons
- No regulated bridging.
- Leverage based on a 180-day value, which is usually lower than open market value.
- Shorter maximum terms on its refurbishment and standard tiers.
- Land lending capped at 55%.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Black & White works mainly with intermediaries. Comparing first matters because the valuation basis, credit tier and leverage can change how much you can borrow, and a lender using open market value may lend more on the same property. Adverse credit cases in particular benefit from being placed with the right lender first time.
We search the market, set Black & White alongside other suitable lenders, present your case and manage the application through to completion. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
Alternatives to Black & White Bridging
- MT Finance: bridging from £50,000 across residential and commercial property.
- Hope Capital: bridging and refurbishment finance.
- TAB: short-term property lending from £100,000.
- Catalyst: bridging including developer exit and finish and exit.
- Glenhawk: bridging for investors and developers.
Common questions
How much can I borrow from Black & White Bridging?
At the time of writing, its guide shows loans from £50,000 to £5 million, with larger loans available by referral. Land and development loans start at £250,000.
Does Black & White Bridging consider adverse credit?
Yes, on some products. Its standard tier can consider adverse credit settled before drawdown, and its refurbishment tier is asset focused, while its prime tier expects clean or minor credit.
Does Black & White offer regulated bridging?
No. It says it is not authorised by the FCA for its products, so it does not lend against a home you or your family live in.
What is a 180-day value?
It is the price a valuer expects the property would sell for within 180 days. Black & White measures its LTVs against this, which is usually lower than full market value.
Does Black & White fund development?
Yes. Its guide offers development finance from £250,000, up to 65% of GDV over up to 24 months, and development exit finance up to 70%.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
