Which type of bridging loan fits?
Bridging loans are grouped in three ways: by the property they are secured on, by what the money is for, and by who is borrowing. One loan can sit in more than one group. A landlord buying a run-down house at auction through a limited company might use auction finance that is also a refurbishment loan to a company. The table below is a quick way to find your starting point.
| Your situation | Usual type | Typical exit |
|---|
| Buying a home before your current one sells | Chain break / residential | Sale of your current home |
| Won a lot that must complete in 28 days | Auction finance | Remortgage or resale |
| Property needs work before it is mortgageable | Refurbishment | Remortgage at the improved value, or sale |
| Buying an office, shop or mixed-use building | Commercial | Commercial mortgage or sale |
| Development finished, units not yet sold | Development exit | Unit sales or long-term refinance |
| Buying through an SPV or trading company | Limited company | Company buy-to-let or commercial mortgage |
What every bridging loan has in common
- Short term: usually 1 to 12 months, sometimes up to 24.
- Secured: on property or land, as a first or second charge.
- Monthly interest: serviced, rolled up or retained. The average was 0.81% a month in Q2 2026, according to Bridging Trends.
- An exit: every lender needs a clear, realistic plan to repay the loan in one go.
- Speed: decisions and completions are usually faster than with a mortgage.
Regulated or unregulated?
Whichever type you need, one question changes how the loan is set up: will you, or a close family member, live in the property? If yes, it is normally a regulated bridging loan under FCA rules, with affordability checks and extra protection, and usually a maximum term of 12 months. If it is an investment, commercial or business loan, it is usually unregulated. Read regulated vs unregulated bridging loans for the detail.
Not sure which you need?
You don't need to know the right product name before you enquire. Tell us about the property, the amount and your plan to repay, and a specialist broker will work out which type of bridging finance fits and compare lenders that offer it. You can also read how bridging finance works or try the bridging loan calculator first.
Important: Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.
This page is general information, not financial advice. Bridging Finance Comparison is a free to use lead generation service that introduces enquiries to Curzon Financial, who are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who may provide advice and arrange finance where appropriate. Rates, fees and criteria depend on your circumstances and the lender.