Colenko is a specialist property finance lender that works through brokers on short-term lending to property investors and developers. At the time of writing (October 2026), its March 2026 product guide shows facilities of up to £3m and terms of up to 18 months on most bridging and refurbishment products, with residential bridging at up to 75% of open market value. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Colenko, so we can compare its terms with other bridging and refurbishment lenders. You can read more on Colenko's own website.
About Colenko
Colenko is the trading name of Colenko Ltd, registered in England and Wales with its registered office on King William Street in the City of London. It describes itself as a specialist property finance lender working with brokers and developers across the UK, and says its senior team has delivered over £1 billion of secured finance.
Colenko's website is aimed at professional intermediaries, and it states that it does not enter into regulated credit agreements. Its loans are for investment and development purposes only.
Colenko is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans, refurbishment finance and development exit finance.
What Colenko funds
Colenko's product guide is unusually broad for a lender of its size. The main products are below.
| Product | Maximum leverage | Maximum facility |
|---|---|---|
| Residential bridge | Up to 75% of open market value | £3m |
| Semi-commercial bridge | Up to 75% LTV | £3m |
| Commercial bridge (retail, pubs, hotels, offices, light industrial) | Up to 70% LTV | £3m |
| Below market value bridge | Up to 100% of purchase price, against open market value | £3m |
| Second and equitable charge (residential) | Up to 75% LTV | £1m |
| Land bridge (with planning) | Up to 55% of residual value | £1m |
| Light refurbishment | Up to 75% of GDV (self-funded works: up to 90% day one LTV) | £3m |
| Medium and heavy refurbishment | Up to 70% of GDV | £3m |
| HMO conversion | Up to 75% of GDV on investment value | £3m |
| Ground-up development | Up to 90% of cost and 70% of GDV | £2m |
| Finish and exit | Up to 70% of GDV | £2m |
| Development exit | Up to 80% LTV | £3m |
Most products run for up to 18 months, and ground-up loans for up to 24 months. Colenko's website also lists auction finance, stretched senior and mezzanine development lending.
A few features stand out. On development exit, Colenko says developers can keep up to 20% of sale proceeds as units sell. Its HMO conversion product lends against commercial investment value. Its ground-up and heavy refurbishment products do not require collateral warranties.
Who Colenko suits (and who it may not)
Colenko tends to suit:
- Investors buying below market value who want to borrow against the true value.
- Refurbishers at every level, from cosmetic works to structural heavy refurbishment.
- Landlords converting houses to HMOs, including under permitted development.
- Developers nearing completion who need to repay build finance and keep some sale proceeds.
- Experienced developers and contractors building smaller ground-up schemes under £2m.
- Portfolio owners raising capital through a second charge bridge without disturbing an existing mortgage.
It is not suitable for regulated bridging on a home you live in, or for loans above £3m. Its ground-up product is for experienced developers and contractors rather than first-time developers, and land lending is limited to sites with planning.
What Colenko looks at
Colenko describes its underwriting as practical. For bridging, expect it to look at:
- The open market value of the property, using automated valuations and title insurance where the case allows.
- The purchase price and how any discount has been achieved.
- The exit, such as refinance, sale or completion of works.
- Credit history, as adverse credit is considered on residential bridges.
For refurbishment and development, it will also review the scope of works, planning or permitted development position, build programme, cost plan and contractor, and the developer's experience. Day-one leverage and how works are funded depend on whether the works are light, medium or heavy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide range covering bridging, refurbishment, development and exit.
- Lends on open market value, including up to 100% of price on below value purchases.
- Development exit up to 80% LTV with up to 20% of sale proceeds retained.
- Second charge bridging on residential property.
- No collateral warranties on ground-up and heavy refurbishment.
Cons
- Maximum facility of £3m, and lower on several products.
- No regulated lending.
- Land lending limited to sites with planning, up to 55%.
- Ground-up lending only for experienced developers and smaller schemes.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Colenko's website is for professional intermediaries, so most borrowers reach it through a broker. Comparing lenders still matters: with so many product variants, the right choice depends on day-one leverage, how works are funded, fees and how interest is handled, and another lender may suit a particular case better.
We search the market, set Colenko alongside other suitable lenders and manage the application. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
Alternatives to Colenko
- Glenhawk: bridging and refurbishment loans for property investors.
- Hope Capital: auction, refurbishment and investment bridging.
- MT Finance: bridging and refurbishment across many property types.
- Aspen Bridging: bridging and refurbishment lending for investors.
- CrowdProperty: development, refurbishment and finish-and-exit loans.
Common questions
How much can Colenko lend?
At the time of writing (October 2026), Colenko's facilities go up to £3m on most products, with lower limits on second charge and land bridges (£1m) and on ground-up and finish-and-exit loans (£2m).
Does Colenko offer regulated bridging?
No. Colenko states that it does not enter into regulated credit agreements, so it will not lend on a home you or your family live in.
What is Colenko's development exit product?
It lends up to 80% LTV on schemes nearing practical completion, up to £3m, and Colenko says borrowers can retain up to 20% of sale proceeds as units sell.
Does Colenko lend on second charges?
Yes. Colenko offers second and equitable charge bridging on residential property up to 75% LTV, with a maximum facility of £1m.
Does Colenko fund HMO conversions?
Yes. Colenko has a specialist HMO conversion product that lends up to 75% of GDV based on commercial investment value, and its light refurbishment products cover HMO conversions under permitted development.
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.
