6 Development Exit Bridging Options for UK Developers With Unsold Units in 2026
Quick answer
If your scheme is finished but units are still unsold, a development exit bridge lets you repay the expensive build loan and sell without a deadline hanging over you. For smaller schemes needing £75,000 to £5 million, EAL Holdings is a good first conversation, because experienced underwriters assess the completed asset directly. LendInvest and Shawbrook publish dedicated development exit products for larger schemes.
The build is done. The sales are not.
This is one of the most expensive moments in a development. The scaffolding is down, the units are finished, and the development loan is still charging construction-rate interest while buyers take their time.
It is a common problem in 2026. Analysis from specialist lender Octane Capital, reported by MPA Magazine, found that 13% of new-build homes in England had been on the market for more than six months, and 4% for more than a year. The same research found that relatively few developers were cutting prices, which protects value but keeps capital tied up.
That is exactly what development exit bridging is for. As LendInvest’s Matthew Tooth put it, “We know that it can be expensive for developers to remain on their development finance loan when they have finished constructing the units”.
This guide compares six development exit bridging options for UK developers with unsold units in 2026.
The six at a glance
In short: EAL Holdings for smaller schemes and a human decision, LendInvest for a dedicated exit product, Shawbrook for speed on quality schemes, Market Financial Solutions for staged repayment, Acre Lane for consolidating debt, and United Trust Bank for continuity with your build lender.
How we compared them
We looked at lenders that publish development exit products or recent development exit deals in the UK, and compared loan sizes, loan-to-value or loan-to-GDV, speed and how repayment works. Facts come from lenders’ own information and 2026 case studies in Property Reporter and trade press. Exit terms vary a lot by scheme quality and sales progress, so treat every figure as a guide.
1. EAL Holdings
EAL Holdings is a UK business lender based on Pinner Road in Harrow, Middlesex. It offers bridging finance from £75,000 to £5 million for up to 24 months, secured against property or assets, and works with property developers and property professionals.
EAL does not publish a branded development exit product, so it is not the right fit for every scheme. But for a smaller completed development, such as a few houses or a block of flats where the build loan is due and sales are slower than planned, a short-term bridge in that range can do the same job: repay the development lender and give you time to sell.
What makes EAL worth a call is the decision process. It describes its lending as relationship-led, with experienced underwriters basing decisions on real trading performance and asset value rather than automated scoring. On an exit, the key questions are the value of the finished units, how many have sold or reserved, and how realistic your sales plan is. Those are judgement calls a person makes better than a model.
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If your scheme fits that size, a conversation with EAL about bridging finance for completed developments is a sensible first step. For larger schemes, or if you want a product built specifically for exits, compare the lenders below.
2. LendInvest
LendInvest offers a dedicated development exit product for developers at or near practical completion who have not sold all their units. Its 2026 broker guide notes that most lenders want a project to be at least wind and watertight, and that refinancing onto an exit loan at up to 75% of GDV can release equity before all units sell. When it launched the product, LendInvest said borrowers may be able to retain part of the proceeds from each unit sale.
3. Shawbrook
Shawbrook provided a £2.98m development exit loan in May 2026 to refinance a partially sold nine-unit scheme in Wimbledon, completing in two and a half weeks from application. With four sales already completed, the facility was agreed at 75% of gross development value and released equity for the developer’s next project.
4. Market Financial Solutions
Market Financial Solutions offers developer exit bridging for residential schemes of between 4 and 100 units, on residential and commercial property in England and Wales. It allows the loan to be repaid in stages as units sell, which reduces the interest payable, though an exit fee may apply.
5. Acre Lane Capital
Acre Lane Capital provided a £7m development exit bridge in Buckinghamshire at 75% loan-to-value, helping a developer complete the final phase of sales. The loan consolidated several funding arrangements into one, simplifying repayments while units were marketed.
6. United Trust Bank
United Trust Bank offers development finance, development exit and heavy refurbishment under one roof. For developers who used UTB for the build, staying with one lender through to exit can make the transition smoother.
How to choose a development exit lender
The right lender depends on your scheme. Ask yourself:
- How much is left to sell, and how quickly is it realistically going to sell?
- What is the loan-to-GDV after completed sales, and how much equity do you want to release?
- Do you want to repay in stages as units sell, or in one go?
- Is the scheme fully complete, or still finishing snagging and sign-off?
- Would you rather sell everything, or sell some units and refinance the rest onto a term loan?
Prepare the evidence lenders will ask for: the completion certificate or practical completion sign-off, a schedule of units with prices and sales status, any reservations, the current loan redemption statement, and a realistic sales timeline from your agent.
What it costs
Development exit bridging is usually cheaper than staying on development finance, because the construction risk has gone. LendInvest’s broker guide cites rates often from 0.6% to 0.9% a month at higher loan-to-value levels. Expect arrangement and valuation fees, legal costs and sometimes an exit fee. Compare the total cost against what you would pay by staying on your development loan past its expiry, or by cutting prices to sell faster.
FAQs
What is development exit finance?
It is a short-term bridging loan that repays your development loan once a scheme is at or near completion, giving you time to sell the units or refinance onto longer-term debt without selling into a deadline.
When can I apply for development exit finance?
Most lenders want the project at least wind and watertight, and many prefer practical completion. Apply before your development loan expires so you are not negotiating under pressure.
How much can I borrow on a development exit?
Recent deals have been agreed at around 75% of gross development value or loan-to-value, depending on scheme quality and sales progress. Smaller lenders such as EAL Holdings offer bridging from £75,000 to £5 million.
Can I repay as units sell?
Often, yes. Market Financial Solutions allows staged repayment as units sell, and LendInvest has offered options to retain part of each sale’s proceeds. Ask each lender how redemptions work.
The bottom line
A finished scheme with unsold units should not force a fire sale. Development exit bridging buys time, cuts interest and can release equity for your next project. For smaller schemes and a human decision, start with EAL Holdings, and compare dedicated exit products for larger developments.
This article is general information, not financial advice. Bridging loans are secured, and property may be at risk if you do not repay.
