Incumprimentos de empréstimos intercalares - O que acontece se não conseguir reembolsar um empréstimo intercalar a tempo?

Bridging finanças 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 a 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 vontade 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.

Juros de mora

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: “Taxa de juros de mora do credor da ponte: O Tribunal Superior considera que os juros de mora do 4% são uma penalização não aplicável”.

Taxas adicionais

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.

Mobilização do empréstimo / Processo de posse

Se não reembolsar o empréstimo até ao fim do prazo, o mutuante pode, consoante as condições do empréstimo, exigir o reembolso imediato do montante total.

Se não for capaz de reembolsar o empréstimo quando lhe for exigido um reembolso imediato, o mutuante pode pedir a reintegração de posse do imóvel sobre o qual o empréstimo está garantido.

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, serviço statutory demands, and / or presenting a winding-up or bankruptcy petition.

Se o empréstimo intercalar tiver sido contraído por uma empresa, o mutuante pode nomear liquidatários para liquidar a empresa mutuária e realizar os seus activos, incluindo quaisquer bens imóveis, para reembolsar o empréstimo.

Historial de crédito / pontuação 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. 

Prorrogação do empréstimo

Dependendo das circunstâncias, o mutuante pode estar disposto a prolongar o prazo do empréstimo, embora possa ser obrigado a pagar taxas de renovação, que podem ser substanciais nalguns mutuantes. Note-se que alguns mutuantes de empréstimos intercalares podem estar dispostos a prolongar o prazo do empréstimo na condição de começar a efetuar pagamentos mensais de juros, em vez de permitir que continue a acumular os juros do seu empréstimo.

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 refinanciamento, which will allow you to repay the loan within a reasonable timeframe, the lender may agree to extend the term.

Se for capaz de tomar medidas para acelerar qualquer saída, como acelerar qualquer venda ou refinanciamento, é provável que melhore as suas perspectivas de chegar a uma resolução amigável de qualquer situação de incumprimento.

Solicitadores de incumprimento de empréstimos intercalares: Contacte-nos

David Burns, Senior Contencioso 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 ou por telefone 07762318409.