Investment or company property?
How much do you need to borrow?
About 90 seconds in all. No credit check until you choose a lender. Capito is a broker, not a lender.
Key facts
- Regulated bridging is secured on a property the borrower or close family live in or will live in.
- Loans to limited companies, and loans on investment or commercial property, are usually unregulated.
- Only FCA-authorised firms can arrange regulated loans.
- Capito is a UK Commercial Finance Broker, not a lender, and arranges unregulated bridging only. Regulated enquiries go to an FCA-authorised firm.
When is a bridging loan regulated?
When it's a regulated mortgage contract. In plain terms, that means a loan to an individual, secured on UK property, where at least 40% of the property is used, or will be used, as a home by the borrower or a close family member. The legal test is in article 61 of the Regulated Activities Order and the FCA Handbook glossary.
When is it usually unregulated?
When the property is an investment, such as a buy-to-let, a development site or a commercial building, and nobody in the borrower's family will live there. Loans to limited companies are usually unregulated, which is one reason most property investors and developers borrow through one.
Regulated vs unregulated at a glance
Typical security
Your home, or one you'll move into
Investment, commercial or company-owned property
Typical borrower
An individual
A company, or an individual investing
Who can arrange it
An FCA-authorised firm
Brokers who aren't FCA-authorised can arrange it
Rules
FCA mortgage rules, including affordability checks
Lender's own criteria and the loan contract
Complaints
Can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service
Usually handled under the contract
Why does it matter to you?
Regulated lending gives you more protection, but fewer lenders offer it and the process usually takes longer. Unregulated lending is more flexible and often quicker, which suits investment purchases with tight deadlines, such as auctions. Neither is better in every case; the property's use decides which you need.
What does Capito arrange?
Unregulated bridging only. If your loan would be regulated, we pass your enquiry to an FCA-authorised firm, which contacts you and handles it.
Not sure which applies?
Tell us at the start, and we'll check before anything goes to a lender.
See our bridging loans page for what we arrange.
Common questions
Is a bridging loan regulated?
Only if it's secured on a property you or close family live in or will live in. Most bridging for investment or business purposes is unregulated.
Can a limited company get an unregulated bridging loan?
Yes. Most bridging loans to companies are unregulated, and lenders usually ask the directors for personal guarantees.
Is bridging on a buy-to-let property regulated?
Usually not, where the property is let to tenants and nobody in your family will live there.
Not sure whether your loan would be regulated? Tell us at the start and we'll check before anything goes to a lender.
Check my caseCapito is a Commercial Finance Broker, not a lender. Capito Finance Limited is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not arrange regulated mortgages.
Finance is subject to the lender's assessment. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.