Impagos de préstamos puente: ¿Qué ocurre si no puede devolver un préstamo puente a tiempo?

Bridging finanzas is often used by property developers and investors in various situations, for example, where investors are buying a new property while waiting for the sale of another property or waiting for a refinance on another property. Before obtaining bridging finance it is worthwhile considering your exit strategies and understanding el consequences in the event that you default on the loan. 

Failing to repay a bridging loan on time can have serious consequences. Bridging loans are designed for short-term borrowing, with most bridging lenders requiring the loan to be fully repaid within the agreed timeframe.

It’s crucial to carefully review the terms of your bridging loan, as they will likely outline the consequences of breaching the agreement. Failure to repay the loan by the end of the term will almost certainly constitute a breach of your lending terms.

Interés de demora

If you default on your loan—such as by failing to repay it by the end of the term—the lender may impose a higher rate of interest. The terms concerning default interest are usually specified in the original loan agreement, which you would have signed before taking out the loan.

For further information on whether a lender’s default interest rate may constitute an unenforceable penalty, you can read our article here: “Tipo de interés de demora del prestamista puente: El Tribunal Superior considera que el interés de demora del 4% es un recargo no exigible”.

Tasas adicionales

In the event of a default on your bridging loan, the lender may seek to impose adicional fees. The lender’s right to do so will depend on the terms of the original loan agreement. Some lenders may add a late payment charge, typically a relatively modest amount, while others may impose ‘account review fees,’ which could be significantly higher.

Reclamación del préstamo / Procedimiento de posesión

Si no devuelves el préstamo al final del plazo, el prestamista puede, en función de las condiciones del préstamo, exigir el reembolso inmediato del importe total.

Si no puede devolver el préstamo cuando se le exige el reembolso inmediato, el prestamista puede intentar recuperar la propiedad sobre la que está garantizado el préstamo.

If the loan remains unpaid, bridging lenders are likely to have several legal options at their disposal. These may include issuing a claim to obtain a County Court Judgement, serving statutory demands, and / or presenting a winding-up or bankruptcy petition.

Si el préstamo puente fue suscrito por una empresa, el prestamista puede nombrar liquidadores para liquidar la empresa prestataria y realizar sus activos, incluidos los bienes, para reembolsar el préstamo.

Historial crediticio / puntuación de crédito

Borrowers should bear in mind that defaulting on your bridging loan may well have an adverse impact on your credit history / credit score. 

Prorrogar el préstamo

Dependiendo de las circunstancias, el prestamista puede estar dispuesto a ampliar el plazo del préstamo, aunque es posible que tenga que pagar tasas de renovación, que pueden ser considerables con algunos prestamistas. Tenga en cuenta que algunos prestamistas puente pueden estar dispuestos a ampliar el plazo del préstamo sobre la base de que usted comience a realizar pagos mensuales de intereses en lugar de permitirle seguir acumulando los intereses de su préstamo.

Maintaining communication with your lender is crucial. If you can demonstrate to the lender that you have an exit strategy—or multiple strategies—such as selling a property or refinanciación, which will allow you to repay the loan within a reasonable timeframe, the lender may agree to extend the term.

Si puede tomar medidas para agilizar cualquier salida, como acelerar cualquier venta o refinanciación, es probable que mejoren sus perspectivas de llegar a una resolución amistosa de cualquier situación de impago.

Bridging Loan Default Solicitors: Contáctenos

David Burns, Senior Litigios Partner at Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP, has extensive experience in handling issues related to defaults on bridging loans. For inquiries on this topic, please contact David Burns via email at D.Burns@rfblegal.co.uk o por teléfono en 07762318409.