ca
usBridging Loan With Bad Credit - CCJs & IVAs
Bad credit does not have to stop your deal. Lendlord adverse credit bridging finance considers CCJs, IVAs and defaults - we look at the property and your exit, not just your past. From 0.75% pm, up to 75% of purchase price and up to 90% of market valuation. Direct lender, no broker fees.
A bridging loan with bad credit is short-term secured finance where the lender assesses the property, your equity and your exit plan - not just your credit score. CCJs, IVAs and defaults are considered on each case. Wondering can i get a bridging loan online without a broker? Yes - Lendlord is a direct lender, so you apply online or speak to our team with no intermediary fees.
What adverse credit do we consider?
Mainstream lenders often decline on credit file alone. Bridging is different: the loan is secured against property and repaid within months, so the emphasis shifts to security and exit.
| Credit issue | Considered? | What strengthens your case |
|---|---|---|
| CCJs (satisfied or unsatisfied) | Yes | Sensible LTV, strong property, clear sale or refinance exit |
| IVAs (active or discharged) | Yes | Realistic repayment plan via property sale or refinance |
| Defaults | Yes | Evidence the exit will clear the bridge on time |
| Low credit score | Yes | Asset-backed deal with supported figures and timescales |
| Self-employed / no accounts | Yes | Focus on property and exit, not payslips |
"CCJs and IVAs do not automatically rule you out. With the right property, sensible leverage and a credible exit, we can still say yes where a high-street lender would not."
Claire - Senior Bridging Specialist, LendlordWhy your exit strategy matters more than your credit score
Bridging lenders look beyond your credit file. They focus on the property, the risk and how you will repay the loan at the end of the term. A clear, realistic exit gives confidence even with adverse credit.
Sale exit vs refinance exit
| Exit type | How it works | With bad credit |
|---|---|---|
| Sale exit | Repay the bridge by selling the property | Often easier to underwrite - repayment comes from the sale, not a future mortgage credit check |
| Refinance exit | Repay by refinancing onto a BTL or residential mortgage | Needs a stronger plan: improved property, rental evidence and confidence a specialist lender will accept you at exit |
Exit strategy checklist
- Is your exit realistic and achievable within the bridge term?
- Are your figures supported by evidence - comparables, rental data, refinance illustrations?
- Do your timescales allow for the plan, including any minimum ownership period?
- Is there a Plan B if the market or refinance timeline slips?
- Have you chosen the right exit for the deal - sale, BTL refinance or both?
Nottinghamshire case study: auction purchase with adverse credit
An investor won a property at auction in Nottinghamshire but had been declined by high-street lenders due to historic CCJs and a satisfied IVA. Lendlord provided fast bridging finance to complete on time, with a sale exit after high-standard refurbishment.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Region | Nottinghamshire |
| Property | 2-bed detached house |
| Gross loan | £54,400 |
| LTV | 68% |
| Term | 18 months (serviced interest) |
| Credit history | Historic CCJs and satisfied IVA |
| Strategy | Refurbish to high standard, sell for profit |
| Exit | Sale |
| Completed | April 2026 |
Similar deals often start at auction where speed is non-negotiable. See our buy-to-let bridging page if your exit is a long-term BTL refinance instead of a sale.
How much can you borrow with bad credit?
| Facility | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Up to 75% of purchase price | Assessed per case with adverse credit |
| Market valuation | Up to 90% of market valuation | Where security and exit support higher leverage |
| Loan size | £30k to £3M | Direct lender, no broker fees |
| Term | 1 to 18 months | Structured around your sale or refinance exit |
What you need to apply
- Photo ID and proof of address
- Property details, purchase price and your planned works (if any)
- A clear exit strategy - sale or refinance - with supported figures
- Honest disclosure of CCJs, IVAs, defaults or other adverse credit (we assess each case individually)
- Asset and liability summary (and company docs if buying through an SPV)
Important: Bridging is short-term and costs more than a long-term mortgage. Always model interest for your realistic exit timeline before you commit.
Bad credit holding up your next deal?
Get indicative terms in minutes - CCJs, IVAs and defaults considered. No obligation, no credit check at enquiry stage.
Get Your Instant Quote Model Your CostsDirect lender • Security and exit over credit file • No broker fees
Bad credit bridging - frequently asked questions
Can I get a bridging loan with bad credit?
Yes. Lendlord considers CCJs (satisfied and unsatisfied), IVAs (active and discharged), defaults and low credit scores on a case-by-case basis. Bridging is asset-backed: we assess the property, the loan-to-value and your exit strategy rather than declining automatically on credit history alone.
Can I get a bridging loan with a CCJ?
Yes, CCJs do not automatically rule you out. Both satisfied and unsatisfied CCJs are considered. A strong property, sensible LTV and a clear sale or refinance exit strengthen the application.
Can I get a bridging loan with an IVA?
Yes. Active and discharged IVAs are considered individually. The lender needs confidence in how the bridge will be repaid - typically from a property sale or refinance - and that the security supports the loan.
Why does exit strategy matter more than credit score on bridging?
Bridging is short-term and secured against property. The lender's main question is how the loan will be repaid at the end of the term. A realistic sale or refinance exit, supported by figures and timescales, gives confidence even where a mainstream mortgage lender would say no.
Is a sale or refinance exit better with bad credit?
A sale exit is often easier to underwrite with adverse credit because repayment comes from selling the property, not from passing a future mortgage credit check. A refinance exit can still work but needs a stronger plan: improved property, solid rental evidence for BTL, and confidence a specialist lender will accept you at exit.
How much can I borrow with adverse credit?
Lendlord lends up to 75% of purchase price, or up to 90% of market valuation where security supports it. Loans from £30k to £3M. Adverse credit may affect the LTV offered on a given case, but each application is judged on its merits.
How quickly can bad credit bridging complete?
Indicative terms in minutes and funds in as little as 5 working days. Auction and time-critical cases are common with adverse credit borrowers who have been declined elsewhere.
Do you charge broker fees on adverse credit bridging?
No. Lendlord is a direct lender. You apply online or speak to our team directly - no broker fees or intermediary commissions.
Related bridging finance
Lendlord is a direct lender of short-term property finance to UK investors. Case study figures are illustrative. This page is informational and does not constitute financial advice. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments or repay the loan at the end of the term.