Bridging Loan Broker | Compare Rates & Get Fast Business Finance

Founded by Business Owners, for Business Owners

Need to complete a property purchase before your sale goes through? Facing a 28-day auction deadline? Or need to secure business premises before your mortgage approval comes through?

A bridging loan could be the solution — but here’s the thing: not all bridging loans are created equal. When you go direct to a single lender, you’re limited to their rates, their criteria, and their timeline.

Working with a specialist bridging loan broker like Response Business Finance gives you a major advantage:

  • Access to 50+ specialist lenders

  • Competitive rates you won’t find on the high street

  • Expert guidance that saves you time and money

We’re a Milton Keynes–based business finance broker, founded by business owners who’ve been in your shoes. Since 2010, we’ve helped small businesses compare bridging loans and secure fast property finance.

Whether you’re buying commercial property, breaking a chain, or funding a development project, we’ll find the right bridging loan for your business — fast.

Get a Bridging Loan Quote Now

Takes 2 minutes | No impact on credit score

This enquiry will not affect your credit score

What is a Bridging Loan?

A bridging loan is a short-term secured loan that “bridges the gap” between needing money now and getting it later.

Think of it as temporary finance that keeps your business moving while you wait for a property sale to complete, a mortgage to be approved, or another source of funding to come through.

Here’s how it works: you borrow money secured against property (either one you own or one you’re buying), use those funds for your immediate need, then repay the loan when your planned funding arrives.

Most bridging loans last between 3 and 18 months, though some can be arranged for as little as a few weeks.

For small businesses, bridging loans are commonly used for:

  • Buying commercial property at auction (when you need funds within 28 days)
  • Securing business premises before a commercial mortgage is approved
  • Breaking a property chain when relocating offices
  • Funding property refurbishment or development projects
  • Releasing equity from existing property for business use

The key difference between a bridging loan and other business finance? Speed. Where a commercial mortgage might take 8-12 weeks, a bridging loan can complete in as little as 7 days if needed.

Types of Bridging Loans we can accommodate:

At Response Business Finance, we specialise in providing tailored bridging loans to meet your unique financial needs. Whether you’re purchasing a property at auction, managing a property chain break, or funding a development project, our bridging loans offer short-term, flexible financing to bridge the gap.

Residential Bridging Loans

Short-term finance for residential property purchases.

Commercial Bridging Loans

Funding for business premises or commercial projects.

Development Bridging Loans

Support for property construction projects.

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Why Use a Bridging Loan Broker?

Going straight to a lender might seem like the obvious choice. But here’s what most business owners don’t realise: high street banks don’t offer bridging loans anymore, and the specialist lenders who do often won’t deal directly with borrowers.

That’s where a bridging loan broker comes in. Here’s what we actually do for you:

Access to More Lenders = Better Rates

We work with 50+ specialist bridging lenders. When you go direct, you get one rate. When you work with us, we compare bridging loans across the entire market and negotiate on your behalf.

On a £150,000 loan over 6 months, the difference between 0.6% and 1.2% monthly interest is £5,400. That’s real money staying in your business.

We Handle Complex Cases

Got adverse credit? Unusual property? Tight timeline? Specialist lenders exist for exactly these situations – but you need to know which ones.

We’ve spent years building relationships with lenders who say yes when others say no. A broker’s job is knowing which lender fits which scenario.

Faster Decisions

We know what each lender needs, so we prepare your application properly the first time. No back-and-forth. No delays. We can often get a decision in principle on the same day, with funds released in 7-14 days.

One Conversation, Multiple Options

Instead of calling 5-10 lenders yourself (and potentially damaging your credit score with multiple applications), you have one conversation with us.

We present you with the best 2-3 options and explain exactly why each one suits your situation.

Transparent Costs

We’ll tell you upfront what the loan costs AND what our broker fee is. No surprises. And because lenders pay us commission, our service often costs you nothing extra — while saving you thousands on the interest rate.

Going Direct to a Lender Using a Broker (RB Finance)
Access to 1 lender Access to 50+ lenders
Standard retail rates Negotiated rates
Limited lending criteria Specialist solutions for complex cases
2-4 weeks typical 7-14 days possible
You handle all paperwork We manage the entire process
No comparison available Clear comparison of options

Comparing Bridging Loans:

When comparing bridging loans, the headline interest rate is just part of the picture. Here’s what you need to look at:

Interest Rates: Bridging loans quote rates monthly, not annually. A rate of 0.75% per month might sound low, but that’s actually 9% per year. Market range is 0.5-2% monthly, with most business loans between 0.6-1.2% monthly.

The Fees You’ll Pay:

  • Arrangement fee: 1-3% of the loan (usually 2%)
  • Valuation: £500-£3,000 depending on property value
  • Legal fees: £1,500-£3,000 for solicitors
  • Exit fees: Some lenders charge 0.5-1% when you repay

Loan-to-Value (LTV): This is how much you can borrow compared to the property value. Most lenders offer 65-75% LTV, sometimes 80% for strong cases. The lower your LTV, the better rate you’ll typically get.

Real Example: £100,000 Loan for 6 Months

Going direct to a lender:

  • Interest at 1.2% monthly: £7,200
  • Arrangement fee (2%): £2,000
  • Valuation: £1,500
  • Legal: £2,000
  • Total: £12,700

Using a broker to compare and negotiate:

  • Interest at 0.7% monthly: £4,200
  • Arrangement fee (2%): £2,000
  • Valuation: £1,500
  • Legal: £2,000
  • Total: £9,700

You save £3,000 just by getting a better rate through a broker who compares the market.

Types of Bridging Loans for Businesses

Not all bridging loans work the same way. Here’s what you need to know:

Closed bridging loans have a fixed repayment date. These are cheaper because the lender knows exactly when they’re getting their money back. Use a closed bridging loan when you have a confirmed sale date or mortgage offer in place.

Open bridging loans don’t have a fixed end date (though you’ll typically need to repay within 12 months). These cost more but give you flexibility when your exit timing isn’t certain yet — like when you’ve listed a property for sale but haven’t found a buyer.

Regulated bridging loans apply when you’re borrowing against a property where you or a family member lives. These have extra FCA protections built in, including affordability checks and a 14-day cooling-off period.

Unregulated bridging loans cover commercial property, investment property, and buy-to-lets. These are more flexible and often faster to arrange because they’re treated as commercial transactions.

Most business bridging loans are unregulated, which is good news — it means faster decisions and more flexible lending criteria.

A 1st charge bridging loan is the primary loan secured against your property. If anything goes wrong, this lender gets paid first.

A 2nd charge bridging loan sits behind an existing mortgage or loan. Because it’s second in line, it’s slightly riskier for the lender (and therefore more expensive for you). But it can be useful if you don’t want to refinance your existing mortgage.

Which type do you need? That depends on your situation, existing debts, and exit strategy. This is exactly where a broker adds value — we’ll assess your position and recommend the right structure.

When Small Businesses Use Bridging Loans

Auction Property Purchases

28-day completion deadlines when mortgages take 8-12 weeks. Buy now, refinance later.

Securing Premises Before Mortgage

Don’t lose the perfect property while waiting for commercial mortgage approval.

Breaking Property Chains

Buy new premises before selling existing property. Repay when your sale completes.

Development & Refurbishment

Fund purchase and works. Refinance or sell once complete.

Property-Secured Working Capital

Release equity from business premises for stock, equipment, or urgent payments.

Harp took his business nationwide

The Rub BBQ, led by successful entrepreneur Harp, has become a renowned name in Milton Keynes. With the brand’s ever-growing popularity, Harp envisioned franchising The Rub BBQ to expand its reach across the UK.

With our help, Harp got access to funding to fuel his vision. We’re ready to help you with your vision too.

Get a Bridging Loan Quote Now

Takes 2 minutes | No impact on credit score

This enquiry will not affect your credit score

How to Get a Bridging Loan

  • 1

    Quick Consultation (Same Day): Tell us what you need, how much, what property secures it, and your repayment plan. Takes 15-30 minutes.

  • 2
    We Compare Options (24-48 Hours): We search 50+ lenders for the best rates and terms for your case.
  • 3
    You Choose, We Apply (48 Hours): We present 2-3 options with clear pros and cons. You decide, we handle the application.
  • 4
    Valuation & Legal (1-2 Weeks): Property valuation and solicitor work. We coordinate everything.
  • 5
    Funds Released (7-21 Days Total): Simple cases: 7 days. Standard cases: 14-21 days.

Founded by Business Owners, for Business Owners

What You’ll Need:

  • Proof of ID and address
  • Property details and value
  • Exit strategy evidence (sale proof, mortgage offer, etc.)
  • Business/income proof

Eligibility & Requirements

  • Property Security: You need property to secure the loan — commercial, investment, or residential you own.
  • Exit Strategy: How will you repay? Common routes: property sale, refinancing to mortgage, development sale, business sale. The stronger your plan, the better your rate.
  • Loan Amount: Minimum: £25,000-£50,000. No maximum — we’ve arranged loans up to £5 million.
  • Loan-to-Value: Typically 65-75%, sometimes 80%. Lower LTV = better rates.
  • Credit History: Lenders focus on exit strategy and property over credit score. We regularly secure loans for clients with adverse credit, CCJs, or past bankruptcies.

What Bridging Loans Cost

Interest Rates: 0.5-2% Per Month

Bridging loans charge interest monthly, not annually. So a 1% monthly rate equals 12.7% per year (APR). Most business bridging loans charge 0.6-1.2% per month.

What affects your rate?

  • Lower loan-to-value = better rate
  • Strong exit strategy = better rate
  • Standard property type = better rate
  • Good credit = better rate (but bad credit doesn’t disqualify you)
  • Larger loans often get slightly better rates

How You Pay Interest

Most loans use “retained interest” — the total interest is calculated upfront and added to your loan. If you repay early, you only pay for the months you actually used the loan. The rest gets refunded.

The Fees

  • Arrangement fee: 1-3% (typically 2%) — the lender’s setup fee
  • Valuation: £500-£3,000 — property needs to be valued
  • Legal fees: £1,500-£3,000 — solicitors handle the paperwork
  • Broker fee: Often covered by lender commission (no cost to you)
  • Exit fee: Some lenders charge 0.5-1% when you repay (not all do)

Bridging Loan Broker Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes is one of the UK’s fastest-growing business hubs — and we’ve been part of it since 2010. We understand the logistics companies along the M1, the tech startups in Central MK, the construction firms working on city development, and the restaurants serving a growing population.

We’ve helped MK businesses secure bridging loans for logistics depots at auction, restaurant premises for franchise deals, office relocations, and development sites.

Case Study: The Rub BBQ
When Harp needed funding to franchise his renowned Milton Keynes restaurant nationwide, we structured a finance package including bridging elements for immediate capital access during the rollout.

“Exceptional work from Mark! He managed to get us exactly what was required at the best rate available. He even worked through the weekend to get it secured.” — Harp, The Rub BBQ

That’s the difference local expertise makes.

Why choose Response Business Finance?

Founded by Business Owners

Mark Squires founded RB Finance in 2010 after experiencing how inflexible traditional finance could be. We treat every client how we’d want to be treated.

FCA Regulated

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your protection is built in.

50+ Specialist Lenders

Access to the entire market — from high street to specialist private lenders. We find solutions others turn down.

No Upfront Fees

Service fees typically covered by lender commission. When there is a cost, we tell you upfront.

Speed When Needed

Same-day decisions possible. Complete in 7 days when urgency matters.

Honest Advice

If bridging isn’t right, or your exit strategy needs work, we’ll tell you. Our job is the right solution, not any solution.

“Mark acted with the presence of a trusted advisor, offering useful financial and business advice, as well as acquiring funding when most needed. It never felt as if RB Finance were simply looking to push lending. Their industry knowledge and personal approach were truly comforting.” — Float Hub

Get your quote now

Get your quote now

Whether you’re buying commercial property at auction, breaking a chain, funding a development project, or need fast access to capital secured against property, we can help.

Response Business Finance has been helping UK small businesses compare bridging loans and secure fast property finance since 2010. We’re FCA regulated, based in Milton Keynes, and founded by business owners who understand what you’re going through.

One conversation with us could save you thousands — and make sure you don’t miss the opportunity in front of you.

No upfront fees. No obligation. Just honest advice and access to the UK’s leading bridging loan lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fastest completion is 5-7 days for straightforward cases. Typically 7-14 days for urgent needs or 2-4 weeks standard, depending on valuation and legal work.

Closed loans have a fixed repayment date and cost less. Open loans have no fixed date (repay within 12 months) and cost more but offer flexibility when timing is uncertain.

You can go direct, but you’ll miss: access to 50+ lenders, negotiated rates often significantly better than retail, specialist lenders for complex cases, and expert process guidance. Most high street banks don’t offer bridging loans anyway.

Interest: 0.5-2% per month (6-27% APR), most business loans 0.6-1.2% monthly. Plus arrangement fee (typically 2%), valuation (£500-£3,000), and legal costs (£1,500-£3,000). Example: £100k for 6 months costs around £9,000-£10,000 total.

Your plan for repaying the loan — usually property sale, mortgage refinancing, development sale, or business sale. Lenders need to see a credible exit plan. Stronger exit = better rate.

Yes. Lenders focus on exit strategy and property security more than credit score. We regularly arrange loans for clients with adverse credit, CCJs, or past bankruptcies. Rates might be slightly higher but it’s definitely possible.

Depends. Loans on properties where you or family live are FCA regulated with extra protections. Commercial property, investment property, and buy-to-lets are unregulated (treated as commercial). Most business bridging is unregulated.

Yes, if secured against property you own. Funds can be used for any legitimate business purpose — working capital, equipment, tax bills, stock. You need a clear exit strategy for repayment.

Get your quote now