Author: Gary Hemming CeMAP CeFA CeRGI CSP
20+ years experience in bridging loans
What we cover in this article:
2nd charge bridging loans explained
This section explains what second charge bridging loans are and how they work. Read on to find out more.
What is a second charge bridging loan?
A second charge bridging loan is a short-term lending product which is secured against a property that already has a mortgage outstanding.
Second charge refers to the fact that the lenders charge over the security property ranks behind the main mortgage lender and has second priority.
When would you use a second charge bridging loan?
If you’re looking to raise funds to do a loft conversion, extension, or other improvements to your property and already have a mortgage outstanding, this would enable you to raise the required funds. As your main mortgage is not being repaid, the early repayment charges would not be paid, meaning a significant saving.
Once the works are complete, a refinance onto a secured loan would be possible, moving the debt to a lower interest rate.
Alternatively, second charge bridging is often used to raise funds to repay debts or arrears prior to the sale of a property.
Are there any other uses for second charge bridging finance?
Each loan is different and there are a number of uses for these loans. The most common are:
You’re looking to raise funds but can’t remortgage as you are still in your early repayment charge period and would incur penalties for doing so.
You’re looking to raise funds to refurbish your property before you sell.
A business transaction has come up which would generate a profit and funds are required to move quickly.
Urgent funding is needed for an unrelated issue such as paying probate or inheritance tax costs.
We can offer this type of funding for almost any purpose. If you’re unsure whether your requirement would be suitable, our team are available to talk through your requirements and we’ll let you know whether you’d qualify immediately.
What are the benefits of a second charge bridge?
These loans allow you to raise funds quickly, while benefitting from flexible lending criteria. This can be done without the need to repay your existing mortgage lender, which can often mean money saved on early repayment charges.
These loans may be available where your existing mortgage lender is not comfortable lending. This is because income details are not required where the exit strategy is sale of the property. Of course, this type of lending is a short-term option and should only be considered where a solid exit strategy is in place.
Key product features
Key Features
Max LTV
Up to 70%
Interest rate
From 0.69% per month
Charge types
2nd & 3rd considered – full charge or equitable
Term
1-24 months (maximum 12 months for regulated loans)
Interest type
Added to the loan, deducted or serviced
Completion timescale
5 days – 3 weeks
Criteria
Residential, commercial property or land acceptable
Available to individuals, partnerships, LLPs, Ltd companies, offshore companies, foreign nationals and pension funds
Minimum applicant age 18 years – no maximum age
Available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Adverse credit accepted (on a case by case basis)
We assess all bridge loans on an individual basis
Second charge bridging loan criteria
This section covers the key criteria that you must meet in order to qualify for a second charge bridging loan.
Who can take out a 2nd charge bridging loan?
We’re happy to offer loans to individuals, partnerships, LLPs, Ltd companies, pensions, offshore companies and trusts.
How long can second charge bridging finance loans be taken out for?
We can offer unregulated bridging loans for a maximum of 24 months, although 18 is more common.Regulated bridging loan terms are restricted to a maximum of 12 months.
How much can I borrow?
Find out how second charge bridge loan sizes are decided, including minimum and maximum loan sizes and loan to value.
What are the minimum and maximum loan sizes for second charge bridging loans?
Second charge bridging loan sizes start from £25,000 with no strict maximum loan.
What is the maximum loan to value for a second charge bridging loan?
We can offer a maximum LTV of 70% for second charge applications, subject to your exit strategy being acceptable.
How do lenders assess 2nd charge bridging finance applications?
The key considerations when lenders are assessing your application is the loan to value (LTV) and the security offered.
Where the LTV is low and the security is strong, the application process tends to be far simpler. This is because the loan is considered to be lower risk for the lender.
They will then assess the property using a valuation report, produced by a chartered surveyor.
Depending on the planned exit, the lender may also want to see the following:
- Proof of income
- An agreement in principle for your proposed refinance
- Details of works to be completed where refurbishment is planned
How much will it cost?
This section explains the costs of taking out a 2nd charge bridge including detailed breakdowns of interest costs and the other setup costs.
What are the interest rates for second charge bridging loans?
Second charge bridging loan rates start at 0.69% per month, with rates of 0.75% being common.
The lowest rates are usually reserved for the lowest risk applications, which means those secured against strong security at lower loan to values. Applications at 50% LTV and below will usually achieve the best interest rates.
Are there other costs to pay?
Yes, on top of the interest paid, you will usually pay all, or some of the following:
Lender arrangement fees – these fees are charged by the lender for setting up the loan and are usually 1-2% of the loan amount. They can often be added to the loan, should you choose to do so.
Lender exit fees – not all lenders charge an exit fee, in fact it is becoming less common. Where charged, this fee falls due when the loan is repaid and is usually either equivalent to 1 month’s interest, or 1%, depending on the lender and their fee structure.
Valuation fee – this fee is payable early in the application process and can’t be added to the loan.
Legal fees – You are usually responsible for both your own, and the lenders legal costs in arranging the loan. These fees are payable towards the end of the application process, usually split into 2 parts – some when the solicitor begins their work and the balance on completion.
In addition to the above, lender lead fees, many brokers charge a fee for their service. Where charged, broker fees are usually 1-1.5% of the loan amount, or a set fee. We don’t charge a fee for our service.
Will I have to make monthly payments?
Where you would like to, you’re able to pay your interest monthly, however, it is usually rolled into the loan and paid off at the end, when the loan is repaid.
When choosing to pay the interest monthly, you will be expected to prove that this is realistic as part of the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers the key FAQs that we’re asked by potential borrowers who are considering taking out a second charge bridging loan.
How long do second charge bridging loans take to complete?
The second charge bridging loan application process usually completes in 5 – 14 days, where consent from the first charge lender is forthcoming. Where first charge lenders are unwilling to consent to a second charge, we have lenders who can still lend using an equitable charge to secure the loan.
Delays in receiving consent from the first charge lender are common, which can add significant time to your application. It’s best to contact your existing lender early to request consent, ensuring the impact of any delays is minimal.
Will my first charge lender have to give consent to a second charge?
Although this is not always the case, consent to a second charge is usually required to allow the lender to register their charge against the property.
Where this is not possible, some lenders can lend without this, and will register their interest using an equitable charge.
When a lender is using an equitable charge, the interest rate may increase due to higher risk.
When looking at why consent is required, the issue is a legal one. To secure the loan against the title of your property, the lender must note their interest with a legal charge on Land Registry. This can only be done with the consent of the first charge lender, as their charge acts as a restriction on the title.
Can you offer bridging loans for people with bad credit?
Bridging finance lenders are generally more flexible than residential mortgage or buy to let lenders.
Not all are willing to offer second charges to those with bad credit. As the market is already limited, some borrowers with adverse credit may find it harder to secure this type of loan.
This is especially true of applications where the planned exit strategy is to refinance to a term loan. In this case, the lender will want solid proof that the refinance will be acceptable to the proposed new lender.
Despite the above, we can still offer loans to people with adverse credit history in many cases.