Octopus Lending is the property-lending division of Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Group established in 2000. It specialises in short-term bridging, refurbishment, commercial investment, and development finance tailored for UK property professionals and developers. The lender is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority for specific activities. Loans range from £100,000 up to £50 million, suited to experienced property investors and developers requiring flexible, sizeable finance solutions. For an overview of specialist property finance, visit our financing options and lenders directory.
Key features of Octopus Lending
Octopus Lending offers practical features to assist experienced borrowers in securing and managing property finance quickly and efficiently.
- Supports a broad range of specialist property finance products including bridging and development loans - see bridging loans and debt financing.
- Large loan sizes available from £100,000 to £50 million, suitable for SME and institutional borrowers - detailed in business loans.
- Flexible underwriting with case-by-case credit decisions rather than rigid scorecards - aligns with best practise in due diligence.
- Fast completion times, with bridging funds potentially available within 5-10 working days, supporting quick business finance.
- Offers dedicated relationship managers and in-house legal and valuation teams to streamline processes, supported by an online broker portal - learn about brokers and finance tools.
Funding eligibility at Octopus Lending
You may qualify for financing if you have demonstrable experience in property investment, development, or refurbishment. Octopus Lending typically requires borrowers or key individuals to show evidence of relevant project experience. First-time developers may find it challenging to meet criteria. Applications are accepted primarily via brokers but direct enquiries are possible. The lender operates in England, Wales, and selected Scottish postcodes only. To check your qualifications and eligibility, see our eligibility guide, application tools, and lender comparison.
Loan options offered
Octopus Lending provides a suite of property-backed financing products from short-term bridging loans to longer-term commercial investment finance. Loans require property security and personal guarantees, reflecting their specialist nature and risk profile.
- Residential & Commercial Bridging Loan: £100,000 to £25,000,000; terms 3 to 24 months; interest rates approximately 6.6% to 11.4% per annum depending on asset and LTV. Features rapid drawdown within 10 working days and high LTV up to 70%. Learn more on bridging loans.
- Refurbishment / Bridge-to-Let Loan: £100,000 to £5,000,000; terms 6 to 18 months; monthly interest 0.60% to 0.85%. Enables funding for acquisition and refurbishment costs with staged drawdowns. Details at business loans.
- Development Finance: £1,000,000 to £50,000,000; terms 12 to 36 months; interest rates 7.0% to 9.5% per annum, rolled up. Suitable for experienced developers with projects needing full planning permission. More on debt financing.
- Commercial Investment Loan: £1,000,000 to £25,000,000; terms 12 to 60 months; interest 5.0% to 7.5% per annum, payable or rolled quarterly. Supports complex commercial assets with longer terms. See commercial mortgages.
How to apply to Octopus Lending
Applications are typically made through brokers using an online portal, although direct applications by phone or email are also accepted. Expect a credit decision within 3 to 5 working days after submission of a complete documentation pack. Bridging loans may complete in as little as 5 to 10 working days. Required documents include application form, asset schedules, valuations, planning documents, and evidence of exit strategy.
- Submit your application via a broker or contact Octopus Lending directly - see our application forms.
- Provide detailed project and borrower documentation including valuations and financials - refer to our document checklists.
- Receive indicative terms within 24-48 hours, followed by credit approval in 3-5 days - understand timelines in our finance calculators.
- Complete legal agreements and funding drawdown once all conditions met.
Funding Agent’s view on Octopus Lending
Octopus Lending caters well to experienced property investors and developers who need specialist, sizeable funding with flexible underwriting and rapid execution. The range of short-term to multi-year loans supported by dedicated teams reflects a strong niche offering in UK property finance. However, requirements for personal guarantees, higher interest rates than mainstream mortgages, minimum loan sizes, and strict eligibility limit suitability for new developers or those seeking unsecured working capital loans. For a detailed comparison and to check if you qualify, use our eligibility tools and lenders directory.
