Bridging finance may help when a property transaction, business liability or other deadline creates a short-term funding gap. Start a brief enquiry to be connected with a finance specialist.
What we need to know
Bridging use cases
The right route depends on the purpose, available property security, timing and how the finance would be repaid. Choose the closest match to prefill your enquiry.
Where VAT is payable on a commercial-property completion, short-term property-backed finance may potentially cover the VAT while an eligible reclaim is processed. Whether VAT can be reclaimed is a tax matter that should be checked with a qualified adviser.
For a routine VAT liability unrelated to a property completion, a property-backed business bridge may potentially provide short-term liquidity. This is different from funding commercial-property VAT while waiting for a reclaim.
A business with a Corporation Tax payment due may potentially use short-term property-backed finance where suitable security and a credible repayment route are available. Interest, fees and lender criteria will apply.
Auction completion dates can be short. Bridging finance may help fund an eligible purchase while a longer-term mortgage, sale or another defined exit is arranged.
If an onward purchase needs to complete before an existing property sale, a bridge may potentially cover the temporary gap, subject to security, affordability and a credible sale or refinance exit.
Short-term finance may be considered where works are needed before a property can be sold or qualify for longer-term funding. The works plan, costs, security and proposed exit will matter.
Where a current bridging loan is approaching expiry or its planned exit has been delayed, refinancing may potentially provide more time. The existing balance, security and revised exit will be reviewed.
In some estate situations, short-term property-backed finance may potentially help with a time-sensitive payment or unlock a transaction before estate assets are realised. Specialist legal and tax advice should be taken.
Tax and legal examples are general information only and are not tax or legal advice. Finance is subject to lender criteria; interest and fees apply.
Route context
A specialist will consider the purpose, available property security, timing and credible repayment route before discussing whether bridging finance may be suitable.
The need may relate to a purchase, refinance, refurbishment, tax bill or another time-sensitive situation
Property security is normally required and lender criteria will apply
The exit might be a sale, refinance, incoming funds or another defined repayment route
Questions
Potentially. A business may be able to use short-term property-backed finance to meet a VAT payment where suitable security and a credible repayment route are available. This is subject to lender criteria and borrowing adds interest and fees. If the business cannot pay HMRC on time, it should contact HMRC promptly because a Time to Pay arrangement may be available. This is general information, not tax advice.
Read HMRC guidance on paying in instalmentsPotentially. Short-term property-backed finance may be considered for a Corporation Tax bill where there is suitable security, a defined exit and enough time for the lender's checks. Rates and fees apply, so the total borrowing cost should be considered alongside alternatives such as speaking to HMRC about Time to Pay. This is general information, not tax advice.
Read HMRC guidance on paying in instalmentsIt may be possible where the loan is secured against suitable property and there is a credible way to repay it, such as a property sale, refinance or incoming funds. Approval is not guaranteed, lender criteria apply and the interest and fees may make other options more appropriate. Contact HMRC promptly if a payment cannot be made on time. This is general information, not tax advice.
Read HMRC guidance on paying in instalmentsPotentially. Where VAT is due at completion, short-term property-backed finance may help cover it while an eligible VAT reclaim is processed. This is distinct from borrowing for an ordinary VAT bill. VAT eligibility and reclaim timing should be confirmed with a qualified tax adviser, and the lender will still assess the property, security and exit route. This is general information, not tax advice.
Read HMRC guidance on paying in instalmentsBridging finance is normally secured against property. A lender will consider the property type and value, existing borrowing, the amount requested and the proposed exit. A credible exit could be a property sale, refinance onto longer-term finance, receipt of known funds or another clearly evidenced repayment route. Criteria vary and approval is not guaranteed.
Other funding routes
If this route is not quite the situation, choose the page that matches the pressure point. Each page adds practical context before starting the same short enquiry.
Auction finance
For auction property purchases where deposit, deadline and completion timing matter.
Start auction check
Chain break finance
For buyers who need to move before their current property sale completes.
Check my funding route
Property purchase finance
For purchases where completion timing, chain pressure or property details are creating urgency.
Discuss property purchase
Bridge refinance
For existing bridging loans approaching expiry or needing a different short-term route.
Discuss bridge refinanceDevelopment and refurbishment
For refurbishment, works-led property projects and development-backed enquiries.
Discuss development funding
Commercial bridging finance
For commercial purchases and business funding enquiries backed by property security.
Check commercial funding route