Written by Kellie Steed Reviewed by Chris Duckworth
Sources
1 September 2026
First Published
Bridging loans can be ideal for those looking to secure short-term property finance quickly. However, if you have a history of bad credit, you may be wondering whether this is still an option for you.
Fortunately, bridging finance works differently from standard long-term borrowing, and is often available to adverse credit applicants. We explain how bridging lenders assess risk in this type of application, and what steps you can take to access competitive rates if you have poor credit.
Can I get a bridging loan with bad credit?
Yes, as bridging finance is typically asset-backed lending, it’s absolutely possible. While mainstream mortgage lenders rely heavily on credit searches, bridging providers focus on the value and equity of the asset used to secure the borrowing, and the feasibility of the exit strategy.
While they will likely look at your credit history, bridging lenders are much more flexible than traditional mortgage lenders when considering applicants who have had credit issues.
How bridge loans for bad credit work
Applying for a bridge loan with bad credit is basically the same as if you apply with perfect credit. Because bridging providers are primarily focused on the quality of the asset you're using for security and the strength of your exit strategy, the fact that you have bad credit is unlikely to significantly impact their overall decision.
However, lenders may be more likely to insist that interest on the loan is rolled up into the loan or retained upfront, so that you won’t need to make monthly repayments. This reduces the need for them to assess your affordability and credit history. This is common practice for bridging finance whether or not the borrower has poor credit, but those with a strong credit history may be able to opt to repay some of the interest monthly to reduce the final repayment.
Connect with a bad credit bridging finance specialist
Types of credit issues accepted by bridging lenders
Specialist bridging finance providers will commonly consider applicants who have a history of:
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Low credit scores or lack of credit history
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Missed payments or arrears
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County court judgments (CCJs) and defaults (satisfied and unsatisfied)
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Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) or debt management plans (DMPs)
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Previous discharged bankruptcy
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Mortgage arrears or repossession history
Issues on the more severe end of the bad credit spectrum, such as bankruptcy and repossession, the timing is more important. It may be more difficult to get a bridging loan if you’ve recently experienced this type of adverse credit, but very few credit issues will result in an automatic rejection, so long as your asset security and exit strategy are strong.
Eligibility criteria for bad credit bridging loans
As with all forms of finance, the lending criteria varies from lender to lender. Like the broader mortgage industry, specialist and niche lenders are the most flexible with bridging criteria. However, overall, providers are typically looking for the following:
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Criteria area |
Bridging lender requirements |
|
Asset security & LTV |
High-quality residential, commercial, or semi-commercial property. Maximum LTV typically ranges between 60% and 75% (or up to 100% with secondary security) |
|
Exit strategy |
A clear, credible plan to repay the facility (e.g. sale of property or other assets, or the ability to meet the criteria to remortgage onto long-term finance) |
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Property valuation |
An independent valuation conducted by a RICS-registered surveyor to confirm open market value and gross development value (GDV) |
|
Experience |
For refurbishment or development bridging projects, lenders look for evidence of past successful developments, and may be more cautious with first time investors |
Will the interest rates and fees be higher?
Yes, borrowing with bad credit history typically results in higher interest rates, although the fees are in line with a standard bridging application and are not impacted by adverse credit.
You could expect to pay in the region of 0.10%-0.75% more than clear credit applicants, depending on the age and severity of your credit issues, and the individual lender. However, there is still plenty of competition in the bad credit bridging market, so be sure to consult with a whole of market broker.
How to apply for bad credit bridging loans
Following these 4 steps will help you on the path to securing bridging lending with bad credit:
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Work with a specialist broker: Brokers that regularly organise bad credit bridging loans understand which lenders are most likely to accept the type of credit impairments you have, meaning you’re less likely to waste time and money on applications that won’t work for you
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Detail your credit history upfront: Being transparent with your broker about your credit history from the outset allows them to match your application with lenders whose criteria align with your specific circumstances. While credit search results are less of a factor when it comes to bridging finance, hiding your credit blips will not aid your application
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Devise a strong exit strategy: Ensure you research and provide evidence that your exit strategy is sound. For example, if you plan to sell the property to repay the loan, provide local estate agent valuations and local area demand stats for your property type
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Obtain accurate valuations: Because the security property will need sufficient equity margin to satisfy the lender, ensure that you have a full and thorough valuation from a RICS surveyor
Broker opinion
Head of Bridging and Commercial
Why choose Money Helpdesk for your bridging loan?
As many short-term finance lenders do not deal directly with the public, it’s important to speak to a whole of market bridging finance broker, to ensure you have access to all of the providers that could possibly help you.
At Money Helpdesk, our specialist bridging advisers have extensive experience structuring bespoke funding for clients with complex credit histories. We work quickly to secure an immediate decision in principle, ensuring your property purchase or refurbishment remains on schedule.
Your initial consultation is completely free with no obligation. Get started now to speak to one of our expert advisers and explore your options.
FAQs
Yes, you won’t necessarily need second asset security, so long as the property you are purchasing has sufficient equity and falls within acceptable loan-to-value (LTV) limits. This will usually be if you’re buying it at a significant discount on its market value.
Selling the property is typically generally considered the strongest exit strategy by bridging lenders, particularly if you have severe credit issues. If your exit plan is to remortgage, the lender will likely require proof that a bad credit mortgage provider will accept your application.
Yes, second-charge bridging loans are available with adverse credit. However, you will need to have substantial equity in the property and may need consent from your primary lender.