Pivot Finance is a specialist property lender whose main focus is development finance for new residential homes, alongside short-term loans secured on residential, commercial and semi-commercial property and land with planning. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Pivot, so we can compare its terms with other development lenders working at a similar loan size. You can read more on Pivot's own website.
About Pivot
Pivot trades through PIVOT Lending Limited and describes itself as "a specialist real estate lender with a focus on development finance". It is not a bank. Pivot says it is majority owned by Quilam Capital, which is involved at board and operational level, and that it is not reliant on one funding source, with committed facilities from several funding providers.
Pivot says it has helped bring more than 600 homes to market and that it sees itself as a partner to developers rather than simply a lender. It says it focuses on fairly priced homes for domestic buyers, and it can introduce borrowers to agents to support off-plan sales. Its website does not give a founding date, so we have not stated one.
Pivot is one of the lenders we compare for development finance on mid-sized residential schemes.
What Pivot funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Pivot's development finance page sets out the following:
| Feature | Pivot development finance |
|---|---|
| Loan size | £1.5m to £10m |
| Leverage | Up to 70% of gross development value |
| Costs funded | Up to 100% of development costs on a stretch senior basis |
| Developer equity | Typically at least 10% of total project costs; soft equity such as planning gain may be considered |
| Term | 6 to 24 months |
| Schemes | Ground-up new build, permitted development and refurbishment |
| Structure | Staged drawdowns; revolving and peak debt facilities available |
Interest is charged on a floating basis. A revolving or peak debt facility can suit a developer running several schemes or phases, as funds repaid from early sales can be redrawn for the next stage rather than arranging a new loan each time.
Pivot also offers short-term finance secured on residential, commercial or semi-commercial property and on land with planning consent, which can be used to buy a site before development funding is in place. Its website says it lends in England and Wales. Pivot also considers developers stepping up in the scale or type of scheme, airspace developments and complex borrowing structures, including offshore companies, trusts and charities, and a mezzanine lender can sit behind its loan. Income from pre-sales can be recycled into later drawdowns.
See our guides to stretch senior development finance, revolving facilities and permitted development finance.
Who Pivot suits (and who it may not)
Pivot tends to suit:
- Experienced developers, from entrepreneurial firms to larger corporate developers.
- Residential schemes needing £1.5m to £10m of debt.
- Developers who want most or all of their build costs funded within a 70% of GDV limit.
- Developers with a pipeline of schemes who could use a revolving or peak debt facility.
- Projects aimed at homes for domestic buyers rather than the prime end of the market.
- Developers stepping up in scale, and borrowers using offshore companies, trusts or charities.
It is unlikely to suit first-time developers, schemes needing less than £1.5m, or projects in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Developers who prefer a fixed rate will need to look elsewhere.
What Pivot looks at
Pivot lends to experienced developers. Like most development lenders, it will typically assess:
- The developer's track record on similar schemes.
- Planning consent, the build programme and the contractor.
- The cost plan and contingency, reviewed by a monitoring surveyor.
- The developer's equity, including any planning gain.
- Gross development value and local demand from domestic buyers.
Funds are released in stages as works are completed and certified.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Can fund up to 100% of development costs within 70% of GDV.
- Planning gain may count towards the developer's equity.
- Revolving and peak debt facilities for multi-phase or repeat schemes.
- Funds new build, permitted development and refurbishment.
- Short-term loans also available for site purchase.
- Mezzanine can sit behind, and airspace schemes are considered.
Cons
- Experienced developers only.
- Minimum loan of £1.5m.
- Floating rate, so costs move with the base rate.
- England and Wales only.
Going through a broker vs going direct
You can approach Pivot directly. Development lenders differ in how they treat equity, planning gain, interest and fees, and a facility that funds all of the costs can still be more expensive overall than a lower-leverage loan. We search the market, approach suitable lenders and compare the offers on total cost and cash required.
It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is agreed with you before you proceed. Our ground-up development finance page explains the information lenders will ask for.
Alternatives to Pivot
- Clearwell Capital: stretch senior development finance for SME housebuilders.
- Blackfinch Property: development finance for SME developers.
- Invest & Fund: development lending on residential schemes of a similar size.
- Assetz Capital: development and bridging finance across a wide range of scheme sizes.
Common questions
How much does Pivot lend for development?
At the time of writing, Pivot's development finance ranges from £1.5m to £10m, on terms of 6 to 24 months.
What loan to GDV does Pivot offer?
Pivot lends up to 70% of gross development value, and the facility can include up to 100% of development costs.
How much equity do I need with Pivot?
Pivot typically expects the developer to contribute at least 10% of total project costs. Soft equity such as planning gain may be considered.
Does Pivot offer revolving development facilities?
Yes. Pivot says it can offer revolving and peak debt facilities, which can suit developers with several schemes or phases.
Where does Pivot lend?
Pivot says it lends in England and Wales.
Does Pivot lend to developers stepping up in scale?
Pivot lends to experienced developers, and says developers moving up in the size or type of scheme can be considered.
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.
