14 August 2026 | Written by Julie Meehan
Case study: How a Homeowner Business Loan Funded Childcare Business Growth
An established childcare business owner wanted to raise capital to invest in and grow the business.
Mercantile Trust arranged a £246,885 second charge Homeowner Business Loan over an 18-month term. Most of the funds were allocated to the childcare business, with a smaller amount used to repay an existing second charge.
The case at a glance
- Loan amount: £246,885
- Loan type: Second charge Homeowner Business Loan
- Purpose: Business investment and expansion
- Term: 18 months
- Interest: Rolled up
- Monthly interest rate: 0.99%
- Legal fees: None
- Early repayment charges: None
- Discharge fee: £245
The challenge
The customer needed to release a significant amount of capital to support the continued growth of an existing childcare business.
Alongside the business investment, a small proportion of the loan was required to repay an existing second charge secured against the property.
The customer needed a flexible short-term solution that provided enough time for the business investment to take effect, while allowing the loan to be repaid early if their circumstances changed.
The solution
We arranged an 18-month second charge Homeowner Business Loan for £246,885, with interest rolled up over the term.
As the borrowing was secured as a second charge, there were no legal fees to pay. This helped reduce the customer’s initial costs and allowed more of the available funds to be directed towards the business.
Although the facility was agreed over 18 months, the customer can repay it at any time. Interest is only charged up to the date the loan is repaid, and there are no early repayment charges. A £245 discharge fee applies when the loan is redeemed.
How will the loan be repaid?
The customer’s main exit strategy is to refinance their home before the end of the 18-month term.
Several backup options were also identified. These include refinancing the customer’s buy-to-let properties or repaying the borrowing using profits generated by the childcare business.
Having more than one credible exit strategy provided additional flexibility if the original repayment plan changed.
The result
The £246,885 facility gave the customer access to capital for investment in their established childcare business while also consolidating the existing second charge.
The rolled-up interest and flexible repayment terms meant the customer didn’t have to make monthly interest payments and could repay the loan early without an early repayment charge.
Could a Homeowner Business Loan help fund your business plans?
A Homeowner Business Loan may allow you to raise funds against your residential property for a range of business purposes, including expansion, equipment, premises or working capital.
Every application is individually assessed based on the customer’s circumstances, the proposed use of funds and the planned exit strategy.
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured against it.
This case study is based on an individual application. Lending decisions, rates and terms are subject to eligibility, valuation and full underwriting.
With more than 34 years in the finance industry and 25 years at the Norfolk Capital Group, Julie has built extensive expertise across underwriting, collections, and complex lending cases.
Keep Reading
Get ready for England’s Register your rental property service, with rollout dates, annual fees, required documents and landlord deadlines.
Mercantile Trust completed a £425,000 first charge bridging loan in three days, helping a portfolio landlord meet a pressing repayment deadline.
Learn how Airbnb mortgages work, what lenders assess, the costs and rules involved, and how to build a stronger holiday let investment in the UK.
Explore ways to release rental property equity for business funding, including secured loans, refinancing and short-term bridging finance.
A vacant buy-to-let may qualify for a second charge term mortgage when light works are needed, rent supports borrowing and reserves are held.
Self-employed applicants may get buy-to-let mortgages or bridging loans with income evidence, property details, and a clear exit plan.
Smaller property loans can fund serious investments, revive empty homes and deserve proper underwriting rather than dismissal by loan size.
Learn the key differences between regulated and unregulated bridging finance, including uses, borrower types and what Mercantile Trust can consider.
Mercantile Trust helped a customer raise £40,000 through a second charge buy to let mortgage to support a family property purchase quickly.
Mercantile Trust completed a £13,500 buy-to-let second charge mortgage in 24 hours, helping a landlord raise a deposit without refinancing.
Learn the key differences between first and second charge bridging loans, how they work, when to use them and which option may suit your needs.
Mercantile Trust may support bridging loans or buy-to-let mortgages where a property title needs splitting on completion.
Mercantile Trust helps portfolio landlords manage complex property finance with practical lending, manual underwriting and a full-picture approach.
Mercantile Trust offers flexible unregulated bridging loans, supporting complex property cases with manual underwriting and quick decisions.
£15,000 buy-to-let refurbishment loan completed in four days against an unencumbered property, using rental income and AVM valuation.
Compare bridging loans and buy-to-let mortgages, including costs, speed, eligibility, and when each option suits UK property investors.
A UK guide to the BRRR strategy, explaining how investors buy, refurbish, refinance, rent and repeat to recycle capital and grow.
Cut delays and complete faster: a practical broker guide to submitting verified applicant, security property and tenancy information upfront.
Renters’ Rights Act ends Section 21 & fixed terms, boosts compliance; pros consolidate using bridging finance to refurb, buy & restructure portfolios.
£410k second‑charge business loan completed in 7 days, refinancing costly stock finance, cutting £100k interest and boosting cash flow.
Answers to key landlord finance questions, including adverse credit, complex structures, and limited company mortgage options.
A quick guide on using bridging finance to invest in HMOs and MUFBs, helping landlords move fast on high‑yield property opportunities.
Bridging loans and buy-to-let mortgages may still be possible with bad credit. Learn how Mercantile Trust assesses adverse credit.
Auction finance completed in 2 days. £100K net raised via equitable charge, AVM accepted, ensuring deadline met without delay.
Mercantile Trust has joined the Twenty7tec Lender Panel within the RESEARCH sourcing platform.
Scottish landlord raised funds for BTL refurbishment using a Homeowner Business Loan secured on their residential property.
Fast £100k rolled bridge via equitable charge, completed in 2 days, enabling a buy-to-let purchase where a traditional lender route wouldn’t work.
Case study: £70k 1st charge bridge completed in 2 days, secured on an unencumbered BTL to fund a family business.
A clear 2026 guide to Stamp Duty: current rates, thresholds, first-time buyer relief, buy-to-let surcharges, and key planning tips.
With our Packaged Completion Service, we take the stress away from you. From client communications to third-party requirements, we do them all for you
First-time landlord? Learn how to secure an HMO mortgage, what lenders require, and how to start your HMO investment with confidence.
Fast, flexible second-charge bridging loan across four NI properties with no valuation or legal fees, helping a landlord consolidate and move forward.
Light refurbishment covers cosmetic or minor updates that don’t change the building’s structure Heavy refurbishment includes structural or major work
Fast £86k equitable bridge completed in 8 days for an experienced landlord — quick funds, no consent needed, all handled in-house.
Learn what a first charge mortgage is, how it works, and why it’s often the most cost-effective option for property buyers and landlords.
Mercantile Trust supports brokers with lending on non-traditional properties using flexible, common-sense underwriting across the UK.
Fast 7-day second charge bridge for auction purchase. £75k raised on existing BTL, no monthly payments, flexible refinance exit after works.
Understand the key differences between Consumer and Unregulated Buy to Let mortgages to place cases confidently with Mercantile Trust.
Mercantile Trust joins the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, promoting mental well-being and a supportive, inclusive workplace culture.
A bridging loan can affect your credit score, but managed well, it may improve your profile. Timely payments are key to a positive impact.
Discover limited company Buy to Let mortgages with up to 75% LTV and no SIC code or rate loading at Mercantile Trust.
Mercantile Trust has been shortlisted for the 2025 National Mortgage Awards – Second Charge in the category of Best Small/Medium Lender.
Start your property investment journey with a First-Time Buyer Buy to Let mortgage from Mercantile Trust — flexible lending, even for new landlords.
Holiday Let Mortgages in Northern Ireland: A guide to investing, financing, and maximising returns on short-term rental properties.
Guide to securing buy to let mortgages in Northern Ireland, with tips, eligibility criteria, and flexible options from Mercantile Trust.
Get a buy to let mortgage with no minimum income requirement. Ideal for landlords with irregular income or poor credit. Flexible UK lending solutions.
Learn what a bridging loan exit strategy is, why it's essential, and which options lenders like Mercantile Trust typically accept for repayment.
Get a buy to let mortgage with bad credit. Learn how UK landlords secure finance through specialist lenders like Mercantile Trust.
Need fast property finance? Limited companies can access bridging loans quickly—ideal for auctions, refurbishments, or time-sensitive deals.
When applying for a buy-to-let or bridging loan in the UK, the number of applicants allowed can impact how you structure your deal.
This guide outlines the key concepts, eligibility criteria, lending process, and considerations associated with first charge BTL lending.
Thinking about investing in property? Buy to Let remains one of the most reliable and rewarding strategies for landlords looking to grow their wealth.
Ready to unlock the power of your home equity? Read our guide to learn how!
Thinking about investing in an HMO property? This guide covers everything you need to know about HMO mortgages!
First-time investor or seasoned landlord? Learn how buy-to-let mortgages work to make smart decisions and boost your rental income.
This guide explores how second charge loans work, their benefits, risks, and who they’re best suited for.
This guide explains what holiday let mortgages are, how they work, and how you can make the most of them to maximise your investment potential.
Bridging loans are a short-term financing option, designed to "bridge" the gap between a financial need whilst long-term finance is being arranged.
As a contractor, you may need a short-term finance solution to quickly access funds. Bridging loans can be a great way to achieve this
Join our newsletter
For monthly updates, expert insights, and the latest trends in lending.