Hope Capital is a specialist bridging lender built specifically around refurbishment, including projects where the scope of works grows mid-build. Its FLIP product handles that by converting the bridge into a refurbishment loan without a second application. It is one of the lenders Boxx Finance turns to for bridging loans where the works, not just the purchase, are the complicated part.
Hope Capital at a glance
| Hope Capital | |
|---|---|
| Loan size | £50,000 (reduced from £100,000 in July 2026) to £5 million |
| Security | First charge |
| Coverage | England, Wales and Scotland |
| Term | Up to 18 months |
| Rates from | 0.80% per month residential, 0.89% semi-commercial, 0.92% commercial |
| Regulation | Unregulated only |
| Valuations | Instant valuations on qualifying residential cases up to £1 million |
| Legal | Dual representation up to £1 million, including in Scotland |
| Standout | FLIP: converts a bridge into a refurbishment loan if the scope grows |
Loan-to-value by refurbishment scope
Hope Capital sets its maximum LTV by both property type and the depth of the works, rather than a single headline figure.
| Property type | Light or medium refurbishment | Heavy refurbishment |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 75% | 65-70% |
| Semi-commercial | 70% | 65% |
| Commercial | 65% | 60% |
The strongest tiers on medium and heavy refurbishment are reserved for homeowners and large portfolio clients, so a smaller or first-time investor may not reach the top of each band.
What this means in practice
Refurbishment projects rarely go exactly to plan. Scope grows, budgets shift, and a loan structured for a light refit can become inadequate for what the property actually needs. Hope Capital's FLIP product is a direct answer to that: it moves the facility into a refurbishment loan without refinancing or reapplying, avoiding duplicated legal costs and underwriting delay. The flip carries a single £1,250 admin fee that includes legals for the flip transaction.
How a case with Hope Capital typically runs
A case starts with the purchase or refinance and the planned works. On qualifying residential cases up to £1 million, an instant valuation can replace the wait for a surveyor's visit, sometimes with a pre-completion video walkthrough at no cost to the borrower. Dual legal representation up to £1 million means one firm can act for both sides, which shortens the legal stage in England, Wales and Scotland alike.
If the works then turn out bigger than planned, FLIP moves the loan onto a refurbishment footing without starting again. For a borrower, that removes the worst outcome of a growing scope: having to find a new lender and pay for a second set of legals halfway through a project.
Adverse credit is considered. Underwriting weighs the borrower's credibility alongside the asset and the exit rather than declining automatically, although, as with any lender, a clean and well-evidenced exit carries weight.
How Hope Capital compares with other lenders on the panel
Its closest rival for refurbishment is Roma Finance, which is faster on its RomaFLOW cases and offers a joined-up term exit through RomaPRO, while Hope Capital is stronger where the scope is uncertain. The Roma Finance vs Hope Capital comparison sets out the choice. United Trust Bank also lends to 75% on light, medium and heavy refurbishment, with the backing of a specialist bank.
For Scottish security, Hope Capital's dual representation including Scotland is a genuine advantage; our guide to bridging loans in Scotland covers what else differs there. Owner-occupied regulated bridging, which Hope Capital does not offer, needs a lender such as MT Finance.
Who it suits
Hope Capital suits refurbishment-heavy files where the scope may change once work starts, and specifically Scottish bridging cases where dual legal representation up to £1 million is a genuine practical advantage. The lower £50,000 minimum also brings smaller refurbishment projects within reach. Our guide to bridging loans for refurbishment explains how these facilities are usually structured.
Where it is not the strongest fit
The strongest loan-to-value tiers on medium and heavy refurbishment are reserved for homeowners and large portfolio clients specifically, so a smaller or first-time investor case may not reach the headline LTV figures. Hope Capital is unregulated only, so it cannot fund a property the borrower or their family will live in.
Questions worth asking before you apply
- How confident are you in the scope of works? If it could grow, FLIP is worth building into the plan.
- Which LTV tier will you realistically qualify for as a homeowner, portfolio landlord or first-time investor?
- Does the case qualify for an instant valuation, and will a video walkthrough be needed?
- Is the loan under £1 million, so that dual representation applies?
- Will anyone connected to the borrower live in the property? If so, the loan would be regulated.
Summary
Hope Capital is a genuinely differentiated choice for refurbishment bridging where the project scope is uncertain at the outset, and for Scottish cases needing dual representation. Figures above are correct as of July 2026 and should be confirmed with your broker before an application.
