Mortgage guide

What is the longest loan you can get for land?

Loan terms depend on whether you choose a land mortgage or short-term bridging finance. The guide explains the different structures and repayment timelines.

What is the longest loan you can get for land?

The longest loan term you can get for land depends on the type of finance you choose, as land mortgages and land bridging loans have very different structures and repayment timelines. Unlike standard residential mortgages, which can extend up to 25-35 years, loans for land are often shorter and tailored to specific purposes like holding, developing, or refinancing.

Land Mortgages

A land mortgage is the longest-term finance option available for purchasing land. Most lenders offer terms of 10 to 25 years, depending on the planning status, the borrower’s affordability, and the intended use of the land. Land with full planning permission is more likely to qualify for longer-term finance because the risk of the land being unprofitable is reduced.

Land Bridging Loans

A land bridging loan is a short-term option, typically lasting 1 to 36 months. Bridging loans are designed for speed and flexibility, making them ideal for auction land purchases, land without planning permission, or as a temporary solution while you arrange longer-term finance such as a land mortgage or development finance. If you’re buying land to build on, development finance is another short-term funding option. It usually runs for 6-36 months, covering both the land purchase and 100% of build costs, with repayment expected upon sale, refinance, or completion of the project.

Which Option Offers the Longest Term?

  • For long-term land ownership, a land mortgage is the longest option, offering terms up to 25 years.
  • If you only need temporary funding while securing planning permission or waiting for development approval, a land bridging loan or development finance is better, but terms are much shorter.

Talk it through with an adviser

Speak to a Mortgage Lane adviser about your circumstances and the next steps.

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