Uninhabitable properties – Traditional lenders, especially on buy-to-let mortgages, will often not lend on a property if there is no kitchen, bathroom, central heating or running water, i.e., if it is considered uninhabitable. A Bridging Lender, by contrast, will base its lending on the property’s value in its current condition and therefore allow a client to get access to a property and make it habitable. Once habitable, the property can then either be sold or a buy-to-let mortgage can be secured to pay off the Bridging Finance.

Property development – Property investors may wish to renovate a property in a few months and subsequently sell or refinance; this can include complex structural changes to a property or light refurbishments. Part-complete projects can also be purchased with bridging finance. In summary, a ‘bridge’ can often be the perfect vehicle for this short-term capital requirement.

Gain planning permission – Bridging against land or property in order to obtain planning and secure development funding or sell on with the uplift in value.

Lease extensions – Where a property has a short lease and cannot be financed traditionally, bridging can be used to extend the lease, making the property mortgage-able through more conventional sources.