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  • Bridging
    • Bridging Loans
    • First Charge Bridging Loans
    • Second Charge Bridging Loans
    • Light Refurbishment Bridging Loans
    • Auction Bridging Finance
    • All Bridging Loans

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    New customers
    0800 032 3737
    Existing customers
    0800 980 6263
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    Make a payment
  • Buy to Let
    • Buy to Let Mortgages
    • First Charge Buy to Let Mortgages
    • Second Charge Buy to Let Mortgages
    • Holiday Let Mortgages
    • HMO Mortgages
    • MUFBs Mortgages
    • Student Buy to Let Mortgages
    • All Buy to Let Mortgages

    Let's get started:

    New customers
    0800 032 3737
    Existing customers
    0800 980 6263
    Request a call back
    Make a payment
  • Business Loans
    • Business Loans
    • Home owner business loan
    • Buy to let business loan
    • All Business Loans

    Let's get started:

    New customers
    0800 032 3737
    Existing customers
    0800 980 6263
    Request a call back
    Make a payment
  • Existing Customers
    • Existing Customers Hub
    • Make a payment
    • Payment difficulties
    • Tariff of Fees
    • Product Guide
    • Glossary of Terms

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    New customers
    0800 032 3737
    Existing customers
    0800 980 6263
    Request a call back
    Make a payment
  • Intermediaries
    • Intermediaries Hub
    • Intermediary Portal
    • Intermediary Registration
    • Product criteria and Calculators
    • Broker Guides
    • Broker FAQs

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    Intermediary enquiries
    0800 032 5282
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    Let's get started:

    New customers
    0800 032 3737
    Existing customers
    0800 980 6263
    Request a call back
New clients
0800 032 3737
Existing clients
0800 980 6263
Request a call back
Make a payment
Contact us
Contact us
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Service Rating

53 reviews

New Customers
0800 032 3737
Existing Customers
0800 980 6263
Intermediaries
0800 032 5282

Broker FAQs – Your Questions Answered

 

Loan Criteria & Eligibility

1. What types of loans do you offer?

We provide a range of specialist property finance solutions including First and Second Charge Buy to Let Mortgages, First and Second Charge Bridging loans and Second Charge Homeowner Business loans. We also offer Equitable Charges in some scenarios.

2. What is your minimum and maximum loan size?

Our loans start from £10,000 for Buy to Let Mortgages and £25,000 for Bridging Loans up to £500,000.

3. What is your maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV)?

We consider up to 75% LTV.

4. Do you accept applicants with adverse credit?

Yes. We apply common-sense underwriting and can often help borrowers with historic credit issues, CCJs, or arrears.

5. Do you lend to limited companies and SPVs?

Yes, we accept applications from both individual landlords and limited company/SPV structures.

6. Do you accept non-standard property types?

Yes, we can consider a wide variety of property constructions, subject to valuation.

Process & Speed

1. How quickly will you respond to a referral?

We respond to referrals within 2 hours if received by 5pm.

2. What is the turnaround for new case submissions?

Cases received by 3pm will be reviewed the same day, with an update provided.

3. What’s your average completion time?

Most cases complete within 2–3 weeks, though faster completions are possible where title insurance is used.

4. Do you offer free legals?

Yes. For loans up to £100,000 on unencumbered properties or second charges in England, Wales, and Scotland, we offer free legal work. We also accept title insurance for our first charges, which helps speed up completion.

5. Can you meet auction finance deadlines?

Yes. With the use of title insurance and responsive underwriting, we can complete within tight timescales.

Fees & Costs

1. Do you charge early repayment charges?

ERCs may apply depending on the product, but we also offer options with no early repayment charge.

2. What are your arrangement and valuation fees?

Arrangement and valuation fees vary by product and property type. Your BDM can provide a tailored breakdown.

Borrower Situations

1. Do you require proof of personal income?

Not always. If the application meets our minimum rental cover, proof is usually not required.

2. Do you accept overseas landlords?

No, we don’t.

3. Do you work with portfolio landlords?

Yes, we welcome all types of landlords—from first-time landlords with one property to experienced portfolio landlords.

Documentation & Underwriting

1. What documents do you need upfront?

We usually require basic ID, proof of address, property details, and proof of rental income. Additional documents may be requested during underwriting.

2. Do you assess cases manually or by computer?

Every application is assessed by an underwriter, not a computer. We take a case-by-case view to support brokers with clients who may not fit high street criteria.

3. Can you be flexible if a case doesn’t fit criteria exactly?

Yes. We pride ourselves on applying practical, common-sense lending. Speak to your BDM to discuss exceptions.

Broker Support

1. Do you provide dedicated BDM support?

Yes, every broker has access to a dedicated BDM and our underwriting team for case updates.

2. Can I speak directly with an underwriter?

Absolutely. We encourage direct conversations with underwriters to help move cases forward quickly.

3. When are broker fees paid?

We pay procuration fees on completion, usually within 24 hours.

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© 2026 Mercantile Trust. All rights reserved.
Postal address: Mercantile Trust Limited, Building 2, Axis, Rhodes Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 4YW.
Registered Office: 25-27 Surrey Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3NX. Mercantile Trust is registered in England No: 07023863.

Our loan products are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.