AF Credit provides short-term bridging loans without a physical property inspection on eligible cases. We assess standard residential security using an AVM, desktop valuation or acceptable existing report, with loans from £26,000 to £2m and up to 75% LTV.
“No valuation” means no physical inspection — no RICS surveyor visiting the property. The lender still assesses the value of the security; they do so through faster, cheaper methods that do not require surveyor access or a site visit.
In a traditional bridging loan, the lender instructs a RICS-qualified surveyor to physically inspect the property. This process costs £1,500–£3,000 and typically takes 7–21 days from booking to delivery.
A no valuation bridging loan replaces the physical inspection with one of four alternatives. The lender is still forming a view on the property’s value — simply without requiring internal access, a surveyor appointment, or the associated cost and delay.
The four alternatives to a physical inspection:
We assess no-val eligibility at enquiry stage — same day. If your property qualifies for AVM, we can proceed immediately with no valuation charge. If it qualifies for desktop, we instruct the surveyor without delay and typically have a result within 48–72 hours.
We confirm the valuation route before you commit any costs. If the property requires a full physical inspection, we tell you that too — and can still lend on it.
No-val lending works best when the property type, LTV, comparable evidence, and exit strategy produce a risk profile the lender is comfortable assessing remotely.
Not sure which category your property falls into? We assess no-val eligibility the same day you enquire — no cost, no credit search, no commitment.
There are four distinct routes in bridging finance that avoid a physical property visit. Each has different speeds, costs, LTV limits, and eligibility criteria.
An AVM uses algorithms to cross-reference Land Registry sold prices, comparable sale databases and market trend data to produce an instant estimated value with a confidence score. No surveyor involvement. No site access required.
See our dedicated AVM bridging loans page for full eligibility criteria.
A RICS-qualified surveyor conducts a structured remote assessment using comparable sales, planning records, aerial imagery, street-level photography and EPC data. A formal valuation report is produced without the surveyor visiting the property. A desktop assessment cannot verify internal condition — and the value concluded may differ from the borrower’s own estimate.
See our dedicated desktop valuation bridging loans page.
A RICS surveyor visits the property externally — inspecting the building’s condition, street and location — without internal access. Used where desktop data is insufficient to confirm external condition.
Where a recent RICS red book valuation already exists, AF Credit may be able to rely on it — saving both the cost and time of a new report. We confirm whether it is acceptable, whether a desktop update is needed, or whether a new valuation is required.
A complete comparison of every valuation route in bridging finance. Scroll horizontally on small screens.
| Factor | AVM | Desktop | Drive-by | Full RICS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to borrower | None (eligible cases) | £250–£600 | £300–£800 | £1,500–£3,000+ |
| Turnaround time | Instant | 48–72 hours | 2–5 days | 7–21 days |
| Physical inspection | None | None | External only | Full internal |
| RICS surveyor involved | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max LTV (AF Credit) | 65% | 75% | 65–70% | 75% |
| Best property types | Standard resi, active markets | Wider resi & BTL range | Condition uncertainty | Commercial, HMO, complex |
| Suitable for auction | Yes — removes timing risk | Yes | Yes | Depends on deadline |
Max LTV figures are AF Credit’s current lending criteria and are subject to the specific property, exit strength and overall risk profile of the case.
These completed deals all used a no-val route. No physical surveyor site visit was required on any of them.
Post-refurbishment rebridge at 65% LTV. Desktop valuation only. No-search indemnity. Hard deadline met.
Read full case study → Chigwell, Essex · Purchase · Desktop£356,000 at 57.8% LTV. Desktop valuation only — no site visit. Non-standard construction cottage. Gifted equity deposit. Refinance exit.
Read full case study → Walton-on-Thames · Capital Raise · Existing ReportExisting RICS report accepted at 40% LTV. No new surveyor instructed. No valuation fees. Capital released same week.
Read full case study →All costs confirmed before you commit. No hidden charges. For a full breakdown with worked examples, see our bridging loan costs guide.
All figures are indicative. Final costs are subject to underwriting, valuation outcome and legal due diligence. Terms are not a commitment to lend.
The figures below are illustrative only and do not constitute an offer. Actual terms depend on the property, exit strength and borrower profile.
Net advance = gross loan (£350,000) minus arrangement fee (£7,000). Rolled-up interest (£28,035) is added to redemption. Figures are illustrative — not an offer or commitment to lend.
Estimate your gross loan, net advance and total interest. Results are indicative.
Use open market value, or purchase price if buying.
AVM is instant with no charge on eligible cases. Desktop takes 48–72 hrs and costs £250–£600.
Max 75% LTV on desktop valuation cases.
Minimum 3 months. Match to your exit timeline.
From 0.79%/month. Case dependent on property, profile and exit.
Indicative — varies by solicitor and complexity.
Tell us the property address and required loan amount — we confirm the valuation route and issue same-day indicative terms at no cost and with no obligation to proceed.
Figures are indicative and do not constitute an offer or commitment to lend.
Actual timescales depend on underwriting, legal progress and borrower responsiveness.
We are the lender. When you speak to us, you are talking to the underwriter — not a broker. We make our own credit decisions, same day.
Eligible AVM cases have no valuation charge. We run the AVM at enquiry stage — if it supports your loan, you pay nothing for the valuation.
Many lenders cap no-val bridging at 65% LTV. AF Credit lends up to 75% on desktop-assessed properties — the same maximum as a full RICS inspection.
Rate, LTV, structure and fee confirmed before you spend any money. We issue indicative terms on qualifying enquiries the same day.
We tell you whether AVM, desktop, or full inspection applies before you pay anything. No surprises after you have committed costs.
Once you decide to proceed and we make a credit decision, we instruct solicitors within 12 hours.
No early repayment charge. An exit fee of one month's interest is payable on redemption.
From small residential bridges to larger investment transactions. Direct decisions throughout.
Straightforward answers to the questions we get asked on most no-val enquiries.
A no valuation bridging loan is a short-term secured loan where the lender does not require a physical RICS surveyor to visit and inspect the property. The lender still assesses the security — using an AVM, desktop valuation or an existing RICS report. No valuation means no physical inspection, not no assessment at all.
It means no physical inspection — no surveyor visiting your property. Your property is still assessed for value using faster, non-access methods: AVM, desktop valuation, or an existing RICS report. The practical difference is no surveyor appointment, no access to arrange, and on eligible AVM cases, no valuation charge.
An AVM (Automated Valuation Model) uses algorithms to cross-reference Land Registry sold prices, comparable sale databases and market trend data to estimate property value instantly. The AVM returns a value estimate and a confidence score. Where confidence is low, the case may escalate to desktop or full inspection. We confirm the AVM result at enquiry stage.
A desktop valuation is a formal assessment conducted remotely by a RICS-qualified surveyor — without visiting the property. The surveyor uses Land Registry records, comparable sales evidence, aerial and street-level imagery, EPC data, and planning history to produce a written valuation report. Desktop valuations cost £250–£600 and take 48–72 hours. A desktop assessment removes access and scheduling requirements but cannot verify internal condition — the value concluded may still differ from the borrower’s expectation.
Standard residential properties in established locations with strong comparable evidence — houses, purpose-built flats, modern residential. AVM works best for standard stock in active markets up to 65% LTV. Desktop extends to a wider range up to 75% LTV. HMOs, commercial, listed buildings, rural properties with thin comparables, derelict, uninhabitable, and non-standard construction typically require a full physical inspection.
AF Credit lends from £26,000 to £2,000,000 on no-val cases. Maximum LTV is 65% via AVM and up to 75% via desktop valuation. Rates start from 0.79%/month — no-val cases are not priced at a premium.
AVM cases can complete in 5–7 working days on a straightforward residential case with clean title. Desktop valuation adds 48–72 hours — making 7–10 working days typical. The legal stage is the most variable element. Actual timescales depend on underwriting, legal progress and borrower responsiveness.
Yes — and it is one of the most valuable applications. Auction contracts require completion within 28 days. AVM (instant) or desktop (48–72 hours) removes the valuation bottleneck on qualifying properties. Completion remains subject to underwriting progress, legal completion and borrower responsiveness.
Yes, in many cases. If you have a RICS red book valuation completed within the last 3–6 months, AF Credit may be able to rely on it. Reliance is subject to lender and solicitor approval. The surveyor must hold current PI insurance and the methodology must meet our requirements. We review the existing report at enquiry stage and confirm same day.
The maximum loan is calculated on the AVM figure. Options include: accepting the lower loan; requesting a desktop valuation, which may return a different figure; or commissioning a full physical inspection. We discuss the options transparently at enquiry stage.
A no-search indemnity is an insurance policy that replaces local authority, drainage and environmental searches — which can take 2–4 weeks in some areas. The indemnity is typically issued in 24–48 hours. When combined with AVM or desktop valuation, it removes both the valuation delay and the search delay. It is available on straightforward residential transactions, subject to lender and solicitor approval.
Yes. AF Credit lends to UK limited companies and SPVs. Directors typically provide personal guarantees. No-val eligibility is assessed on the property and LTV — the borrower entity type does not affect the valuation route.
No. AF Credit rates start from the same 0.79%/month regardless of valuation route. The overall cost of a no-val bridge is typically lower because the valuation itself costs less — no charge on eligible AVM cases, £250–£600 on desktop, versus £1,500–£3,000+ for a full physical inspection.
AF Credit provides unregulated bridging loans only. If you are looking to borrow against your main residential home, the loan is likely to be regulated under FCA mortgage regulations. Regulated bridging loans are arranged through FCA-authorised brokers. If the security is not your primary home — a buy-to-let, investment property, or second home — the loan may be unregulated and AF Credit can assist directly.
AF Credit lends on property in England and Wales only. We do not currently offer bridging loans on property in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Automated valuation on eligible residential property. Instant result. No charge on eligible cases. Up to 65% LTV.
View product → 75% LTV, no site visitRICS-qualified remote assessment. No physical surveyor visit. Up to 75% LTV. Valuation result in 48–72 hours.
View product → Most popularChain breaks, auction, uninhabitable property, buy before you sell. Up to 75% LTV. AVM and desktop routes available on eligible cases.
View product → 28-day deadlineAVM and desktop valuation available on qualifying auction lots. Same-day indicative terms.
View product → Light and heavy refurbFund purchase and renovation. Light refurb on desktop valuation where eligible. Heavy refurb with full inspection and staged drawdowns.
View product →Tell us the property address, loan amount and exit route — we confirm no-val eligibility and issue indicative terms the same day at no cost and with no obligation to proceed.
AF Credit provides unregulated bridging finance only. This page does not constitute financial advice. Subject to valuation, underwriting and legal due diligence. Terms are indicative and not a commitment to lend.