Can you get a bridging loan after being declined?
Yes. A decline from a bank or mainstream lender rarely means a deal can’t be funded — more often it means it reached the wrong lender. Berkeley Credit underwrites the asset and the exit rather than an affordability checklist, so we regularly fund borrowers turned away for adverse credit, a complex structure, or simply because the deal had to move faster than a bank can. Loans from £50,000 to £25,000,000 across England and Wales, with an honest same-day decision.
Why mainstream lenders say no
Banks and high-street lenders run standardised, affordability-led criteria and automated credit scoring. A deal can be perfectly sound and still fail those filters — because of a historic CCJ, a discharged bankruptcy, an unusual ownership structure, an offshore borrower, an uninhabitable property, or a timescale the bank simply can’t meet. A decline is a statement about that lender’s box, not about whether your deal is fundable.
How we underwrite differently
We are an asset-led, not affordability-led, lender. We look first at the security — a sound asset, realistically saleable within a 180-day window — and then at the exit: a sale, a refinance, or business proceeds. If the asset and the exit hold up, an imperfect credit history is something we can usually work around rather than a reason to decline. Every case is assessed on its own merits by the people who make the decision, and acceptance is always subject to underwriting.
What we can consider
- Adverse credit — CCJs, defaults, missed or late payments, and a low credit score
- Discharged bankruptcy, and completed or active IVAs
- Thin or no UK credit history, including offshore and expat borrowers
- Complex ownership — SPVs, trusts, partnerships and overseas structures
- Urgent timescales a mainstream lender can’t meet, including auction deadlines
Adverse history is considered, never automatically approved — each case turns on the asset and the exit.
The one thing we need from you
Candour, up front. Tell us the reason for the previous decline and the full background — it lets us give you a straight, fast answer and structure the deal properly. Issues disclosed at the outset are usually manageable; the same issues surfacing late in the process cost everyone time.
An honest answer the same day
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a bridging loan with bad credit?
Yes — adverse credit is considered. Because we lend against the asset and the exit rather than your credit score, CCJs, defaults and arrears don’t automatically rule out a loan. Each case is assessed on its merits, subject to underwriting.
Will being declined elsewhere reduce my chances with you?
No. A previous decline tells us about another lender’s criteria, not about your deal. We assess it fresh, asset-first, on the strength of the security and the exit.
How fast can you decide?
The same day. Give us the deal and the background and we’ll come back with an honest decision in principle and indicative terms.
Is this regulated lending?
No. Berkeley Credit lends for business and investment purposes only, on property the borrower does not occupy, and is not fully FCA authorised. We don’t provide regulated advice.
Talk to us about a declined deal
Been turned down elsewhere? Tell us what happened and get an honest, same-day decision. Loans from £50,000 to £25,000,000 across England and Wales.
Berkeley Credit Limited is registered in England & Wales (Company No. 16111009) and with the FCA under the Money Laundering Regulations (No. 1029007); not fully FCA authorised; no regulated advice. All lending is for business and investment purposes only, on property the borrower does not occupy, and subject to valuation, legals and underwriting.