Charles Street Finance is a UK specialist lender offering bridging loans, development and refurbishment finance, auction finance and a revolving credit facility, as well as longer-term buy-to-let and commercial mortgages. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Charles Street Finance; it is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans and revolving bridging facilities. You can read more on Charles Street Finance's own website.
About Charles Street Finance
Charles Street Finance says it has been helping fund UK property since 1983 and has lent around £1.5 billion to date. It is a trading style of Charles Street Commercial Investments Limited, Charles Street Capital Limited and Charles Street Finance Holdings Limited, all registered in England and Wales, and it is based at Cheadle Royal Business Park near Stockport.
It describes itself as a specialist lender in bridging, development finance and short-term commercial lending, working with brokers, investors and developers. Its tagline is "a relationship you can bank on".
Charles Street's bridging is for investment and business purposes. It does not publish a regulated bridging product, so it is not the route for borrowing against a home you or your family live in.
What Charles Street Finance funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Charles Street's 2026 product guide shows bridging loans from £50,000 to £10 million on first charge, with the following headline criteria.
| Product | What it is for | Maximum leverage | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential bridge | Residential, investment and buy-to-let property in England, Scotland and Wales | Up to 75% LTV on purchase, 70% on refinance | 1 to 12 months |
| Low-LTV residential bridge | Short bridges at lower leverage | Up to 50% LTV | 1 to 6 months |
| Commercial bridge | Investment and owner-occupied commercial property; land case by case | Up to 65% LTV on purchase, 60% on refinance | 1 to 12 months |
| Second charge residential bridge | Raising funds behind an existing mortgage | Up to 65% combined LTV on purchase, 60% on refinance | 1 to 12 months |
| Revolving credit facility | Draw, repay and redraw against residential or commercial property | Up to 70% LTV | 24 to 36 months |
| Development finance | Ground-up builds, conversions and barn conversions with planning | Up to 65% of GDV | Short-term, case by case |
The revolving credit facility is aimed at landlords, investors and SMEs. Interest is charged only on the amount drawn, and once agreed, further drawdowns within the limit do not need fresh underwriting. Charles Street's website gives a higher minimum for this facility than its guide, so check the current figure. Non-standard construction and taller blocks are usually offered lower leverage.
Charles Street also offers auction finance and refurbishment finance, and buy-to-let and commercial mortgages that can provide a longer-term exit.
Who Charles Street Finance suits (and who it may not)
Charles Street tends to suit:
- Portfolio landlords and investors who want a reusable facility for purchases, auctions and refinancing.
- Borrowers needing a short bridge from one month, including in Scotland.
- Investors who need a second charge bridge without disturbing an existing mortgage.
- Borrowers with some credit impairment, defaults or CCJs, which it considers case by case.
- A wide range of borrower types: individuals, sole traders, partnerships, LLPs and companies, with expats and non-UK residents on referral.
It may not suit homeowners needing a regulated bridge, borrowers wanting very high leverage, or large developers needing a full development facility with long build terms.
What Charles Street Finance looks at
Charles Street assesses each case on its merits. It looks at:
- The property type and construction, with lower LTVs for non-standard or high-rise property.
- Whether the loan is a purchase or a refinance, since refinance leverage is lower.
- The exit and overall LTV. It says retained interest may be accepted for affordability where the exit and LTV are sound.
- The borrower's credit history, with defaults and CCJs considered case by case.
- Age: there is no maximum age, but if income is relied on the borrower should be no older than 80 at the end of the term.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Long-established lender with a large lending history.
- Revolving credit facility, which few lenders offer.
- Residential bridging in Scotland as well as England and Wales.
- First and second charge options.
- Flexible on borrower type and some adverse credit.
Cons
- No regulated bridging.
- Lower leverage on refinances and commercial property.
- A renewal fee applies if a facility is extended at the end of its term.
- Website and guide differ on some criteria, so terms need confirming.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Charles Street works with brokers as well as direct borrowers. Comparing first matters because revolving facilities, standard bridges and second charge loans are priced and structured differently, and the right choice depends on how often you will draw funds and how long you need them for.
We search the market, set Charles Street 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 Charles Street Finance
- Alternative Bridging Corp: another lender offering a revolving property overdraft.
- Commercial Acceptances: bridging including a revolving facility.
- Together: residential, commercial and second charge bridging.
- MT Finance: bridging from £50,000.
- ScotLend: a Scottish bridging lender also covering England and Wales.
Common questions
What is the Charles Street revolving credit facility?
It is a pre-agreed facility secured on property that lets you draw, repay and redraw funds during the term, paying interest only on what you have drawn. It is aimed at landlords, investors and SMEs.
Does Charles Street Finance lend in Scotland?
Its residential bridge covers England, Scotland and Wales.
How much can I borrow on a Charles Street bridging loan?
At the time of writing, its guide shows bridging loans from £50,000 to £10 million, up to 75% LTV on residential purchases.
Does Charles Street Finance consider adverse credit?
It says credit impairment, defaults and CCJs are considered case by case.
Does Charles Street offer second charge bridging?
Yes. Its guide includes a second charge residential bridge of up to 65% combined LTV on purchase and 60% on refinance.
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.
