Blackfinch Property is a UK lender providing short-term bridging and development finance to property developers and investors. It describes itself as a fully funded provider that looks at each loan on its own merits rather than through rigid criteria. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Blackfinch Property; it is one of the lenders we compare for development finance and bridging loans. You can read more on Blackfinch's own website.
About Blackfinch Property
Blackfinch Property is one of several divisions of the Blackfinch group, which is based near Cheltenham. The wider group works with financial advisers across the UK, managing client investments and deploying funds across property lending, renewable energy, asset-backed lending and early-stage businesses. Blackfinch says the Blackfinch name dates from 2013, while the business itself has been running for longer.
For property, Blackfinch describes itself as a fully funded, independent provider of short-term bridging and development finance for brokers and developers. It positions its approach as flexible, assessing each case individually, and says it aims to give more certainty of funding than more rigid institutions.
Blackfinch is not a bank and does not offer regulated lending, so its loans are for property investors, developers and companies rather than homeowners borrowing against their own home.
What Blackfinch Property funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Blackfinch's lending criteria (June 2026) give these headline terms, all described as typical rather than fixed limits (the development loan range reflects current panel terms).
| Feature | Terms |
|---|---|
| Loan size | Development £1 million to £25 million; bridging typically £1 million to £20 million |
| Term | Development typically up to three years; bridging typically up to two years |
| Security | First charge over the property |
| Leverage | Development typically up to 70% loan to value and 85% loan to cost; bridging typically up to 75% loan to value |
| Where | UK-wide |
| Uses | Development of residential and commercial property, and bridging, including land with existing use value and exit bridges |
Because these figures are typical rather than fixed, the leverage available will depend on the scheme, the borrower and the exit. Blackfinch prefers established developers with a strong financial history, works with a third-party main contractor or an experienced self-delivering developer, lends at fixed rates with interest serviced or rolled up, and offers discounts for homes built to EPC A. Personal or corporate guarantees are required. Its published examples include commercial schemes such as hotel development, as well as residential property.
Our guide to ground-up development finance explains how build loans are typically structured, and our commercial to residential finance page covers conversions.
Who Blackfinch Property suits (and who it may not)
Blackfinch tends to suit:
- Developers and investors with loans of around £1 million to £25 million.
- Schemes that do not fit neatly into a standard product box and benefit from a case-by-case assessment.
- Residential, commercial and mixed-use projects anywhere in the UK.
- Borrowers who need a bridge of up to two years or a development loan of up to three years.
It may not suit loans below £1 million, projects needing more than three years, second charge borrowing, or homeowners needing a regulated bridge. Because its criteria are described as typical, leverage is confirmed only once a case is assessed.
What Blackfinch Property looks at
With no fixed leverage grid, the quality of the case matters. For a development or bridging loan, lenders such as Blackfinch typically look at:
- The site or property, its value and, for development, the gross development value supported by a valuation.
- Planning status, the build cost plan, the programme and the contractor.
- The borrower's experience and track record on similar projects.
- How much of your own money is going in.
- The exit: sales, refinance onto investment finance or another clear route, and how realistic it is within the term.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Assesses each case on its merits rather than through a rigid grid.
- Fully funded, with backing from a wider investment group.
- Lends UK-wide.
- Covers both bridging and development.
- Fixed-rate lending, with a discount for homes built to EPC A.
Cons
- Loans typically start at £1 million.
- Personal or corporate guarantees are required.
- Criteria are typical rather than fixed, so leverage is confirmed case by case.
- No regulated or second charge lending.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Blackfinch lends to brokers and developers. Because its leverage is set case by case, it helps to present the scheme well and to know what other lenders would offer on the same deal, so you can judge whether a Blackfinch offer is competitive.
We search the market, set Blackfinch alongside other development and bridging 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 Blackfinch Property
- Fiduciam: development lending across a similar size range.
- MSP Capital: development finance for smaller and mid-sized schemes.
- Blend Network: development loans from £1 million.
- Octopus Property: bridging and development across a wide size range.
Common questions
How much can I borrow from Blackfinch Property?
Development loans run from £1 million to £25 million, and Blackfinch's June 2026 criteria give bridging loans of typically £1 million to £20 million, on a first charge.
How long can a Blackfinch loan run for?
Development loans typically run for up to three years and bridging loans for up to two years, although Blackfinch says it will consider terms outside this range.
Does Blackfinch lend across the UK?
Yes. Blackfinch says it lends UK-wide.
What LTV does Blackfinch Property offer?
Its criteria give development lending typically up to 70% loan to value and 85% loan to cost, and bridging typically up to 75% loan to value, with each project assessed on its merits.
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.
