Light Refurbishment Loans: Swift Funding for Property Upgrades
Transform your property quickly and efficiently with our Light Refurbishment Bridging Loans.
Perfect for investors, landlords, and homeowners looking to boost property value without the wait of traditional financing.
Borrow up to 80% LTV net.
Expert finance advice
tailored to you
Quality service
Fast, friendly and professional service.
Lender Choice
Over 250 Banks, Hedge Funds, Family Offices & more.
Experience
Over 15 years of specialist finance broking.
Bespoke Lending
Finance tailored specifically to meet your needs.
Light Refurbishment Loans Explained
These short-term bridging loans fund minor to moderate property improvements, bridging the gap between purchase and long-term financing or sale.
They’re faster to secure than traditional mortgages, making them ideal for time-sensitive projects that enhance a property’s appeal and value without major structural changes.
Generous Loan-to-Value (LTV) Options
- Up to 80% LTV net
- Up to 75% Loan-to-Gross-Development-Value (LTGDV)
Adaptable Loan Terms
- Durations up to 18 months
- No Early Repayment Charges
Competitive Rates
- Starting from 0.75% per month
- Custom pricing for loans over £5 million
Rapid Application Process
- Same-day Decision in Principle (DIP)
- Title insurance included for quicker transactions
Who Are They For?
Our Light Refurbishment Bridging Loans cater to a diverse range of property professionals and homeowners.
Here’s how different groups can leverage these loans to their advantage:
Property Investors
For those looking to maximise returns, these loans offer a swift way to enhance properties. Whether you’re flipping houses or upgrading buy-to-let investments, our funding allows you to:
- Take advantage of time-sensitive opportunities in up-and-coming areas
- Quickly modernise outdated properties, increasing their market value
- Implement energy-efficient upgrades to command higher rents
- Convert single-family homes into more profitable HMOs
Landlords
Attract and retain high-quality tenants by improving your rental properties. Our loans enable you to:
- Convert properties to meet changing market demands, such as home office spaces
- Modernise kitchens and bathrooms to justify higher rents
- Enhance the overall aesthetics to stand out in competitive rental markets
- Implement necessary repairs and upgrades between tenancies
Homeowners Preparing for Sale
If you’re looking to sell, our loans can help you maximise your property’s appeal and value:
- Address minor structural issues that could deter potential buyers
- Fund quick renovations to address buyer pain points
- Update key areas like kitchens and bathrooms to command higher asking prices
- Improve curb appeal to make a strong first impression
Auction Property Buyers
For those who’ve secured properties at auction, our loans provide the means to:
- Meet tight auction completion deadlines while planning renovations
- Quickly renovate properties to meet mortgage lender requirements
- Transform uninhabitable properties into desirable homes
- Capitalise on below-market purchases by adding immediate value
Property Developers
Even seasoned developers can benefit from our light refurbishment loans:
- Quickly improve properties to generate income while awaiting larger development opportunities
- Bridge the gap between acquisition and development finance
- Fund pre-development works to enhance planning permission chances
First-Time Developers
For those new to property development, our loans offer a lower-risk entry point:
- Learn the ropes of property development with more manageable projects
- Fund smaller refurbishment projects to build experience and track record
- Upgrade properties without the complexity of heavy structural changes
Projects Covered
Light refurb loans are designed to fund a wide range of upgrades. Typically these won’t require planning approval and don’t involve structural changes. For these you will need a heavy refurbishment bridging loan.
Permitted Development Works
Fund improvements that don’t require full planning permission, speeding up your project timeline.
Building Regulation Approval Projects
We cover works needing building regulation approval, such as electrical rewiring or minor structural changes.
Residential to HMO Conversions
Transform standard properties into Houses in Multiple Occupation for up to 6 tenants, maximising rental income potential.
Additional Eligible Upgrades
- Energy-efficient window replacements
- Full property redecoration
- Central heating and electrical system updates
- Internal layout optimisation
- Modern bathroom and kitchen installations
Let’s Talk!
Loan Repayment
Our loans offer rolled-up interest, adding interest to the loan balance for payment at the term’s end.
This frees up your cash flow during the refurbishment period.
How you intend on repaying the lender at the end is known as your exit strategy.
As your broker, we understand the importance of a solid repayment strategy for your bridging loan.
Here are the primary exit routes we can help you plan for:
Sale of the Refurbished Property
Many borrowers choose to sell the property after completing the refurbishment:
- Capitalise on the increased property value post-renovation
- Typically suitable for investors looking for quick returns
Refinance to a Long-Term Mortgage
Once your property’s value has increased, refinancing to a traditional mortgage is a common strategy:
- Switch to a lower interest rate for long-term affordability
- Suitable for landlords planning to retain the property
Refinance to a Buy-to-Let Mortgage
For properties intended for rental:
- Leverage the improved rental value to secure favourable buy-to-let terms
- Ideal for investors expanding their rental portfolio
- Our relationships with specialist buy-to-let lenders can streamline this process
Cash Repayment
Some borrowers plan to repay the loan with:
- Proceeds from the sale of another property
- Business income or personal savings
- We can advise on structuring your loan to align with expected cash inflows
Our Role in Your Repayment Strategy
Choosing the right repayment strategy is essential to the success of your refurbishment project.
Our expertise allows us to guide you towards the most suitable exit route for your specific circumstances.
As your broker, we’re here to:
- Assist with refinancing or sales processes if needed
- Help you formulate a realistic and achievable exit strategy
- Assess the viability of your chosen repayment method
- Connect you with appropriate lenders based on your exit plan
- Provide ongoing support as you approach your repayment date
Why Partner with Us
Our experienced team is committed to supporting your refurbishment journey from concept to completion.
- Deep property finance expertise for tailored advice
- Customised solutions matching your project needs
- Strong lender relationships for competitive terms
- Swift, efficient service to kickstart your project
FAQ
With our same-day Decision in Principle service, you can get initial approval rapidly. The full process typically takes 7-14 days, depending on your project’s complexity and application completeness.
Light refurbishment loans cover cosmetic improvements and minor repairs without major structural changes. Heavy refurbishment loans fund more substantial works like extensions or significant structural alterations.
Yes, we can combine a light refurbishment facility with an auction bridge, allowing you to buy and upgrade auction properties efficiently.
We offer rolled-up interest, where interest is added to your loan balance and paid at the term’s end along with the principal. This helps manage cash flow during your project.
If you face unexpected delays, contact us promptly. We may be able to negotiate a loan extension or a re-bridge to ensure your project’s completion.
Yes, most lenders are open to working with first-time developers for light refurbishment projects.
