Saffron for Intermediaries launches end-to-end property development finance with bridging solutions alongside extensive buy-to-let enhancements
Saffron for Intermediaries has launched a comprehensive set of specialist lending updates, including bridging finance to create an end-to-end property development finance proposition, alongside major enhancements across its buy-to-let (BTL) ranges. The changes are designed to broaden eligibility, provide greater flexibility for brokers and offer a complete funding pathway for developers and property investors.
Key updates include:
- Introduction of Expat Limited Company BTL, expanding support for overseas clients using company structures
- Wide-ranging enhancements to the buy-to-let range
- Launch of a new HMO product, including Ltd Co BTL options
- Introduction of a full end-to-end property development finance solution
- Launch of the new pre-development bridge and exit bridge products
Buy-to-let strengthened
Saffron has strengthened its BTL proposition to provide broader support for expat clients, portfolio landlords and limited companies. Expat BTL now offers lending up to 80% LTV, making higher-leverage borrowing more accessible for overseas clients, and is available to first-time buyers and first-time landlords where at least one applicant meets minimum income requirements.
The range also now includes Expat Limited Company BTL, while the wider Limited Company BTL proposition has been enhanced to accept newly registered companies, with no personal guarantees required up to 55% LTV.
Across the broader BTL range, Saffron will accept first-time buyers and first-time landlords (product dependent), offer loan sizes up to £3m, and continue to provide interest-only or repayment options with no external exposure limit. These changes give brokers the flexibility to structure portfolios confidently, even in complex or multi-property scenarios.
Expanded options across the wider BTL range
As part of the wider buy-to-let enhancements, Saffron has also introduced a new HMO product, available to both individual landlords and limited companies. This addition broadens the range of investment strategies brokers can support and reflects growing demand for higher-yield, multi-occupancy properties. The launch of HMO further strengthens Saffron’s BTL proposition and sits alongside the wider product improvements being rolled out.
Development finance reinvented
Saffron now offers a full end-to-end property development finance solution, supporting brokers and their clients from the earliest stages of a project through to completion and sale. The new pre-development bridge category allows developers to secure land, which can be accepted without planning, with lending available up to 65% LTV with planning approval and up to 50% LTV pre-approval, for terms of up to 18 months. This leads seamlessly into Saffron’s strengthened development finance product, which offers up to 90% loan-to-cost (LTC) and up to 70% GDV, with both land purchase and construction costs accepted within the facility.
Bridging that completes the journey
To support the final stages of a project, Saffron has launched a dedicated exit bridge, offering lending up to 75% LTV for up to 18 months. This allows developers to refinance completed or near-completed schemes while awaiting sale, smoothing cashflow and giving additional flexibility at the back end of a project. When combined with the pre-development bridge and development finance categories, this creates a connected funding pathway for developers, enabling brokers to keep the entire journey under one lender with consistent criteria.
Residential criteria boost
Saffron has also introduced targeted improvements across its residential criteria to support more complex properties and living arrangements. Key updates include:
- Annexes with separate utilities now accepted, offering greater flexibility for multi-generational households or self-contained spaces used by non-borrowing family members or let
- Properties featuring up to two kitchens now acceptable, supporting more adaptable layouts, dual-use spaces and modern living arrangements
Tony Hall, head of business development at Saffron for Intermediaries, said: “This is one of the most significant specialist lending developments we have delivered, and reflects the changing needs of the market. Our new end-to-end property development proposition gives brokers a fully connected pathway from site acquisition through to project completion, with a bridge at the start, development finance in the middle, and an exit bridge at the end. This creates a seamless journey that removes friction and ensures clients have support at every stage of their development project.
“At the same time, we have strengthened our buy-to-let offering to provide greater flexibility for expat clients, limited companies and experienced landlords. These changes allow brokers to service a wider range of complex and investment-based enquiries.
“At Saffron, we believe progress is achieved through continuous refinement, careful expansion and solutions that reflect how brokers are supporting clients today. These updates sit at the heart of that philosophy.”