Struggling to finance a luxury property worth more than £5 million? You’re not alone. Most UK lenders shy away from high-value residential bridging loans, especially for single-unit assets.
In fact, many cap their loan amounts at £3 million to £5 million, even for well-qualified borrowers. Why? Because high-value properties carry more risk, especially in uncertain markets. They’re harder to sell, more volatile in price, and appeal to a smaller group of buyers.
If you’re buying, refinancing, or releasing equity from a prime UK property, you’ll need a specialist high-value bridging loan. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Bridging Loan and Why Use One?
A bridging loan is a short-term loan designed to “bridge” the gap between a property purchase and a future event—like selling another asset, refinancing with a mortgage, or restructuring a portfolio.
Common Bridging Loan Uses:
- Purchasing quickly (e.g., auction properties)
- Delays in mortgage approvals
- Refinancing or paying off another loan
- Equity release from unencumbered property
- Restructuring complex financial arrangements
Bridging loans are flexible, fast, and especially valuable when mainstream mortgage lenders won’t move quickly or accommodate complex borrowers.
The Challenge with High-Value Bridging Loans
Lenders are cautious with loans secured against properties valued over £5 million. Here’s why:
- Risk of declining value: High-end properties often drop in value faster in down markets.
- Limited buyer pool: These homes are harder to resell in default scenarios.
- Longer selling times: It can take months—or years—to sell a £10M home.
- Complex ownership: Many are held via trusts, offshore companies, or involve foreign nationals.
Most lenders simply won’t go above £3m–£5m, and if they do, the underwriting process can be slow and restrictive.
A Bespoke Solution: Bridging Loans for £5M to £25M Properties
Some specialist lenders offer bespoke bridging finance for single-unit, high-value residential properties.
Key Features:
- Loan Size: £5 million to £25 million
- Term: 3 to 36 months
- Interest Options:
- Rolled up (deducted from loan)
- Serviced monthly
- Part-and-part
- Eligibility: Foreign nationals, UK residents, and borrowers with complex financial arrangements
- Security: Single, high-value UK residential property
This loan type is perfect for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and international buyers who need speed, flexibility, and understanding of complex ownership or income structures.
Who Benefits Most from This Product?
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all loan. It’s designed for those who don’t fit into a traditional bank’s “tick-box” lending model.
Ideal For:
- Foreign nationals with no UK credit profile
- Borrowers using trusts or offshore vehicles
- Entrepreneurs with non-standard income
- Investors needing short-term liquidity
- Owners looking to refinance or restructure existing property debt
- Luxury homeowners releasing equity
How the Process Works
Applying for a high-value bridging loan typically involves five key steps:
- Initial Enquiry: Provide basic details about the property, your situation, and funding needs.
- Valuation & Assessment: A formal valuation confirms property value. The lender assesses your repayment strategy and ownership structure.
- Loan Offer Issued: Based on your needs—interest structure, term length, and security—the lender proposes terms.
- Legal & Due Diligence: Legal checks are performed on the borrower and property.
- Drawdown: Funds are released, often in under 3–4 weeks.
When to Use a High-Value Bridging Loan
Timing, complexity, or income structure issues are the most common triggers for using this type of loan.
Common Scenarios:
- Buying before selling: You want to purchase a new home before your current £10M property sells.
- Equity release: You want to unlock cash for investment or business use from your £6M unencumbered property.
- Complex ownership: Your asset is owned via a BVI company or family trust, and traditional lenders won’t proceed.
- Foreign national status: You live abroad and can’t access traditional UK mortgages.
- Auction purchase: You’ve secured a prime asset at auction and need completion funds quickly.
How Do Lenders Compare on High-Value Bridging Loans?
Many lenders will not entertain loans above £5M. But among the few that do, products can vary significantly.
Here’s a general comparison of top-tier options:
| Lender Option | Max Loan Size | Borrower Type | Term | Interest Options | Speed |
| Option 1 | £25M | Foreign nationals, complex structures | 3–36 months | Rolled, serviced, part-and-part | Fast |
| Option 2 | £15M | UK & offshore companies | 6–24 months | Mostly serviced | Medium |
| Option 3 | £10M | UK residents with high income | Up to 24 months | Rolled or serviced | Fast |
| Option 4 | £7M | UK-based borrowers, simpler deals | Up to 18 months | Rolled or serviced | Very Fast |
Note: The most flexible products come from lenders that specialise in bespoke underwriting, rather than relying on automated decisions. Working with a broker can help you access these.
Why Use a Specialist Broker for Bridging Loans?
If you’re borrowing more than £5 million and don’t have a simple income profile, going direct to a bank or mainstream lender is usually a dead end.
A specialist broker, like Sunrise Commercial, can:
- Source lenders who accept complex structures or international borrowers
- Negotiate interest terms and fees on your behalf
- Ensure a fast turnaround, reducing delays and red tape
- Advise on risk and exit strategy, improving approval chances
You don’t just want funding—you want the right funding, structured to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreign nationals apply?
Yes. Many high-value bridging lenders welcome international clients, especially those buying London or other UK prime real estate.
What if the property is in a company name?
Not an issue. Loans can be made to SPVs (special purpose vehicles), offshore entities, or trusts—provided ownership and control are clear.
How is interest handled?
You can roll it into the loan (deducted), service it monthly, or do a combination—depending on cash flow.
What’s the exit strategy?
The lender needs to see how the loan will be repaid. This could be through:
- Sale of the property
- Long-term refinancing
- Business income or liquidity event
Conclusion: Finance That Matches Your Property’s Scale
If you’re buying, refinancing, or raising capital against a property worth over £5 million, you need a funding partner that understands your complexity and acts with speed.
Bridging loans for prime residential properties are a unique solution for a specific set of borrowers—and they can be the difference between seizing an opportunity and missing out.
Take the Next Step
Ready to explore bridging finance for your high-value residential property?
Speak to the experts at Sunrise Commercial for tailored advice and access to market-leading options.
📞 Call us at 07939 091418
📧 Email: john@sunrisecommercial.co.uk
🌐 Visit: https://www.sunrisecommercial.co.uk/
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