Atelier
21 HOMES IN LONDON
Loan size: £8.7m
Loan term: 24 months
LTV and/or GDV: 67%
Reason for the loan/loan use: Development of 21 new homes in London
Exit plan: Sales
Comments from parties within the transaction
“This project demonstrates how our flexible funding solutions can unlock the po tential of well-located sites. By structuring the facility to include a VAT tranche, we enabled the client to progress from acquisition into the construction phase, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality homes.” — Harley Stairmand, lending manager
General background details about the transaction/property:
We have provided an £8.7m development facility to fund the construction of 21 residential units—comprising 18 apartments and 3 houses in Hither Green, London. This follows the provision of a £550,000 VAT tranche to support the purchase.
The new homes will be delivered in a well-connected residential area with strong transport links - within walking distance of Hither Green and Lewisham stations; good schooling options, and close proximity to local amenities.
The development includes a communal garden with an orchard and greenhouse, and will be delivered car-free, with two parking spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders.
Harley Stairmand
£1.3M
in lending to fund an HMO conversion – in reverse!
Octane has become renowned for HMO conversions, having funded over 300 since launching. But this completion is a rare scenario in which we funded the conversion of an existing HMO into a large single dwelling, and further underlines our appetite for heavy refurbishments.
Octane’s client purchased the Sui Generis HMO for £1.05m with cash and obtained planning permission to convert it back into a single dwelling. The project will involve a large single-storey extension and an extensive internal reconfiguration/ renovation.
Octane’s loan provides 70% LTV NET day one, used to replenish the borrower’s initial capital outlay to purchase the property and to kickstart the works. The loan’s £400,000 drawdown facility will be used to fund the remaining build costs – meaning the entire project
will be funded with no further cash input from the client required. Once complete and sold, the project will generate a net profit of over £300,000.
As with all of Octane’s loans, the project will be monitored via visual inspections from an Asset Manager (not a QS). This is a core part of Octane’s refurbishment proposition and contributes to quicker and cheaper drawdowns.
The 12-month loan was completed with a 2% arrangement fee and no exit fees. At a rate of 0.73% per month (BBR linked).
The loan was originated by Katy Fogarty, Business Development Manager, and underwritten by Chris Harrison, Senior Credit and Portfolio Manager. Octane’s valuation was completed by Capital Value Surveyors and they were ably assisted by their legal team led by Miran Sharif at Lawrence Stephens.
Katy commented: “We are delighted to complete another heavy refurbishment loan for an experienced investor. Thanks to some superb work from Chris and Miran, we were able to complete this loan quickly, enabling our clients to get started with their project shortly after planning permission was obtained.
High leverage and a sharp rate were part of the reason we won the deal, but also the fact that we do not insist on a QS was a key consideration for our broker and their client. A swift and seamless drawdown process is often an overlooked USP of our refurbishment proposition.”
The loan was introduced and expertly brokered by Keith Carr, director of specialist lending at Alchemist Finance Solutions. He commented:
“I really appreciated the support from Octane and especially Katy Fogarty, on what was a complex heavy refurb loan. Octane’s flexible approach and proactive communication gave my client real confidence throughout the process.”
Katy Fogarty
Together
DEAL OF THE MONTH
General transaction details: We delivered a regulated bridging loan of £4m* for a client renovating a second home in Ibiza. The applicant used their UK property portfolio as security, and the funds were released quickly to complete the works ahead of the summer season. With summer fast approaching, speed was essential, and a 12-month regulated bridging loan proved to be the ideal solution. On top of this, the customer was also able to use the funds to completely refurbish their home in London.
Dan Narwal
Loan size: £4m
Loan term: 12 month interest-only
LTV: 18.04%
Reason for loan: To carry out renovations to two properties, including a holiday home
Exit plan: Refinance of property
Comments from Enness:
“We chose Together as the lender for our client due to their ability to offer a flexible approach and ability to fully understanding our client’s HNW status.
“Their internal funding structure meant no prolonged legal work, and their willingness to accept second charges on both properties made the deal stand out from the rest of the market.
“Further, having direct access to key decision-makers in the business allowed for swift decision-making, and their quick turnaround time and professionalism made them the ideal choice for this transaction."
*Together will lend from £50k to £3m, and higher by referral, where we take a common-sense approach to lending decisions.
Fairbridge
90% LTV PURCHASE IN GRAVESEND, KENT
Loan size: £144,000
Loan term: 12 months
LTV: 90% against the purchase price
Loan Purpose: Purchase
Exit plan: Sale
Time taken to complete: 4 weeks
About the transaction: We provided 90% LTV on the purchase of a property in Gravesend, Kent, backed by a strong valuation that put the gross loan at just 62.6% of the market value. This gave both the borrower and our team confidence in the security of the deal. The borrower, a repeat client with a proven track record of successfully repaying previous loans with us, planned a light refurbishment and modernisation using their own funds before resale. With careful planning and experience on their side, they aimed to improve the property’s appeal and maximise its resale value within the planned timeframe.
Comments from Parties within the Transaction: Karolina Sadovska, underwriter commented: “The underwriting process was smooth, with the property presenting cleanly from an underwriting perspective in terms of title and valuation, and no adverse issues identified. The borrower has previously redeemed four loans successfully with us, giving confidence in both their ability and reliability, resulting in a seamless completion for all parties involved.”
This case highlights why borrowers return to Fairbridge Capital, recognising our ability to deliver competitive terms, combined with proven reliability and flexible structuring. Our ability to offer up to 90% of the purchase price, where the market value LTV is 70% or below, provides borrowers with practical, tailored solutions to meet their needs.
Dalian Gill
Deal of the Month August/ September
Loan Size: £325,850
Loan Term: 12 months
LTV: 70%
Reason for loan: Urgent commercial purchase
Location: Luton
Exit plan: Exit via refinance
Time to fund: 5 working days
Broker/Borrower/Relevant parties:
• MS Lending Group –Tom Herbert, relationship manager
• MS Lending Group – Tobias Williams, underwriter.
• Premier Commercial Lending – Shannon Harwood, head of bridging and commercial
General transaction details: We were approached by Shannon at Premier Commercial Lending on behalf of their client, having been let down by their previous broker. The client was buying three commercial units under one title at auction, which they had already exchanged on, but had just days to complete to avoid losing the property and their deposit. Sometimes speed isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, so like with every case we look at here at MS Lending Group, our team got straight to work. We instructed legals the same day the application was received and utilised a desktop valuation. Overall, we were able to complete the client's request right on time, in just 5 working days, so they could proceed with the purchase of the property and save their deposit. A pleasure to work with Shannon to support her client – a great example of our streamlined process delivering when it matters most!
Shannon Harwood, Head of bridging and commercial at Premier Commerial Lending:
“I cannot praise MS Lending enough for their exceptional service. When my client was on the verge of losing a property due to a previous broker’s mistake, MS Lending Group stepped in and saved the day. They completed an urgent bridge within just five working days, which was nothing short of incredible. Their communication throughout the process was outstanding: clear, proactive, and always keeping me informed at every step. The team’s professionalism, speed, and dedication made all the difference, and I have no doubt my client would have lost the property without them.”
Maslow Capital
REFURBISHMENT BRIDGE FOR HIGH-PROFILE
SPORTS STAR COMPLETES IN UNDER TWO WEEKS
Maslow Capital completed a refurbishment bridging loan of c.£590,000, enabling the swift acquisition of a detached bungalow in Hertfordshire. The transaction was finalised in under two weeks, demonstrating speed and certainty of execution.
Loan type: Refurbishment bridging loan Facility size: c. £590,00 (Day One advance) LTV: c.56%
Security: First legal charges over two residential assets (both refurbishments): one asset already owned by the borrower and one being purchased Exit: Refinance onto a BTL facility
Purpose and asset
The facility supported a time-sensitive purchase and planned refurbishment of a detached bungalow in a desirable residential area with strong commuter links. The borrower is funding works directly, with the property expected to achieve a GDV of c.£875,000 and support market rent of c.£3,000 pcm post-works.
Borrower profile
A high-net-worth, professional property investor and high-profile sports star with a substantial portfolio around the M25. The borrower has a strong track record of refurbishing undervalued assets and retaining them on term finance. Their experience and liquidity underpinned the credit.
What challenges did Maslow overcome?
• Compressed timeline around vendor’s completion date.
• Dual-asset security packaged to deliver Day One leverage while protecting downside.
• Co-ordination of valuation and legals on parallel paths.
Why Maslow / differentiators
• Specialist comfort with portfolio investors executing BTL holds.
• Ability to underwrite multi-asset structures and transact at pace.
Outcome
Completion in under two weeks showcased Maslow Capital’s ability to deliver pace on complex, time-critical purchases, providing a tailored bridging solution aligned to the borrower’s long-term investment strategy.
Key contributors: Originator Mark Posniak; credit manager, Dean Duggan; case manager Ravan Dhanota; and lending analyst, Nicholas Tofallis.
Mark Posniak
Masthaven
£358,000 FOR GROUND-UP DEVELOPMENT WITH 100% NEWBUILD FUNDING
Loan size: £358,000
Loan term: 12 months
LTV and/or GDV: 51% GDV
Reason for the loan/loan use: To fund a ground-up development
Exit plan: Refinance
Rate: 1.19%
Time taken to complete: 7 weeks
General
background:
Our broker introduced a first-time developer who needed £358,000 to fund a ground-up development. She owned land next to her main residence with planning already approved for a new house. As both properties sat on a single title with an existing first charge, she needed to redeem that charge and raise the funds to begin construction. The complication came from the first charge lender, who would not allow the titles to be split. To keep things moving quickly, we agreed to redeem the first charge so that the titles could be split during the term of our loan, allowing the client to redeem each security separately. While not unusual for development funding, this detail added complexity and required a flexible approach.
As a first-time developer, having the reassurance of flexibility was crucial. We provided a £358,000 ground-up development loan at 1.24% per month, completing in just seven weeks from terms to drawdown. To give the client maximum flexibility, we structured the facility with no ERCs and a flexible drawdown schedule funded in arrears, supported by MS reports.
The client was able to redeem their existing first charge and, with no mortgage payments for 12 months, gained the peace of mind that their build costs were fully funded.
Timing was also critical. With the contractor already booked and the opportunity to begin work in warm, dry weather, the case was highly time sensitive. Completing everything in seven weeks, a week ahead of schedule, gave the client confidence and allowed them to start the build without delay.
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