vkj-finance-v2

28 New Build Flats Refinanced for a Build to Rent Developer!

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:06:58 GMT

A block of 28 new build flats were presented to us for an experienced developer and landlord wanting to retain the entire block in their portfolio. VKJ Finance Milen Johar and Keystone Property Finance delivered a fast and collaborative result for the borrower which involved:

✅ The creation of new long leases being sold into a subsidiary SPV from the DevCo.

✅ Joined up approach from our valuation partners Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward in accepting recent retypes enabling the deal to move speedily to offer.

✅ Fast work from our pre offer, underwriting and post offer teams to get an unbelievably fast completion!

This deal highlights how great solutions can be found when lenders, brokers, underwriters and our legal / surveyor partners work wonderfully together.

Well done to all involved and looking forward to the next complex deal from VKJ Finance! ��

15 Unit Block Refinanced for a Build to Rent Developer!

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:05:55 GMT

Huge thanks to Paige Archer and the team at LendInvest (LSE: LINV) who refinanced 15 flats in a new build to rent block for an experienced developer client!

It was a tricky case where the client was transferring a directors loan balance owed back to them from the DevCo to a brand new PropCo to use as the purchase deposit, with new leasehold titles created and multiple surveys to manage.

Pa i ge Archer and the underwriting team at LendInvest (LSE: LINV) simplified the application process for the client to only upload required documents to 1 case instead of to each one individually, they understood the directors loan transfer given their experience in development finance, and sped through underwriting by only asking necessary common sense questions rather than irrelevant ones that often get thrown at experienced clients in complex scenarios.

There was a small hurdle over an EWS1 the surveyor thought was required that was successfully challenged, but thanks to her and the team, they pushed to get this across the line for the remortgage to complete in time so the client could move off their development finance.

This case was a perfect example of how brokers and BDM’s stay in touch to keep up to date on criteria / appetite changes that creatively solve problems for clients for when the exact situation arises!

As always, if I can assist any of you in financing your projects or with any property finance needs, then please feel free to get in touch.

Second charge flexible, overdraft facility arranged!

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:20:54 GMT

2nd Charge Flexible Finance / Overdraft facility for fast Auction Purchases & Commercial Interests!

Pleased to have arranged a 2nd charge Flexible Overdraft Facility for a client seeking to take advantage of upcoming below market value opportunities at property auctions, but also have a "just in case" emergency facility to assist various businesses in their portfolio.
The secured facility against the clients main residence, which can be drawn, repaid & re-drawn multiple times over 2 yrs, is a great product with a low non utilisation rate.

The case was complex for unusual reasons with issues surrounding the surveyors opinion of the property's Insurance Reinstatement cost.
In a nutshell, the surveyor had way over-estimated that a 3 floor 5,500 sq ft property required an Insurance Reinstatement cost of £1.3m, 78% above BCIS benchmarks!
We all know inflation has been rampant the last 12+ months & has affected the increasing cost of materials / labour, but 78% was beyond belief!
So much so, the existing insurer refused to amend their max £1m cover because £1.3m was deemed "over-insuring" according to their data models.
Seeking other insurers was also problematic as the property had 7 bathrooms taking it outside criteria.

With time of the essence & the clock ticking, Phodis Maratheftis , Mihaela Janko & the team at Alternative Bridging Corporation dug deep to help quickly resolve the matter & complete just in time for most of the latest monthly auctions which the borrower wanted to bid on. Considering the current economic backdrop, it was great to get this over the line.

Special thanks also to Alicia Pattihis at Axiom DWFM solicitors for her expert assistance & advice, offering pragmatic solutions to complex case matters / issues throughout the clients journey. I cannot recommend all those involved in this transaction highly enough!

As always, if I can assist any of you in financing your projects or with any property finance needs, then please feel free to get in touch.

Complex joint second charge facility across 4 properties and 3 borrowers!

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:19:45 GMT

2nd charge facility including a regulated bridge split across multiple borrowers & properties with licensing requirements. Done!

Massively relieved to help a developer client refinance 4 of their 2nd charge facilities last week.
The case was complex as the facility was secured across 4 properties, 3 borrowers and their current 2nd charge lender made life difficult by slapping on a huge 13% fee at the last minute for going slightly past the end of term despite knowing the case was in legals and the refi was taking place!
Add to that 1 of the properties needed to renew its selective licence and another needed a HMO licence as the landlord was unaware his tenant was in fact doing rent 2 rent!

Have to say, Phodis Maratheftis , Thandeka Faith Ndebele and the team at Alternative Bridging Corporation worked as fast they could to complete as quickly as possible to overcome all these hurdles, whilst lowering the interest rate at the same time! Massive �� indeed!

As always, if I can assist any folks in my network and beyond to provide funding solutions, I'm always happy to help.

Developer Refinance Mid Project with Equity Release Arranged

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:18:24 GMT

Very pleased to help a developer re-bridge a newly developed HMO recently after going beyond the maturity date with their current lender, and more than halving their rate in the process.

The reason why they went past term is unfortunately too common where contractors sometimes do such a poor job it would fail building control and requires another contractor to start all over again from scratch! So equity release of the extra costs they incurred was also required.

Complicating the case was the LTD Co entity was split across 3 guarantors and the entity owned other mortgaged properties - requiring confirmation whether non crystallisation letters were required. Add to that, the HMO licence was applied for, but wasn’t in hand.

Special thanks to Shoaib Bux , Molly Markey , Chloe Skae and the Arbuthnot Latham team who worked as fast they could (including after hours) to complete this as quickly as possible.

As always, if I can assist any folks in my network and beyond to provide funding solutions, I'm always happy to help folks get the best deal on the market for their circumstances at the time.

Complex 17 bedroom HMO/Multi Unit Freehold funded!

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:16:38 GMT

Very pleased to help a few of the following clients complete their moves to cheaper finance in the last 2 weeks:

~£450k BTL refinance for a developer who wished to move off a Finish & Exit Loan and retain 3 of their newly developed units after selling others in their development. BTL exit is becoming a larger trend now with developers no longer focussing purely on sales exits.
~£950k MUF / HMO refinance for a landlord on expensive Commercial Finance with a 17 bedroom multi unit freehold, arranged as 4 dwellings, including HMO’s.

Complicating the HMO case was that my client had run this property for many years as student let’s prior to HMO licensing being invented but Article 4 coming into the area meant he now had to prove historical use despite planning approving the use years ago.

Solicitors can easily break a deal and thanks must go to Harriet Thornton / Jessica Wager at LCF Law , together with Rob Eggleston at Paragon Banking Group PLC who all massively thought outside the box to get these done.

Feel free to get in touch if you are looking for funding solutions, always happy to help.

Lending solutions in a Covid lockdown!

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:15:13 GMT

Being busy the past 2 weeks is an understatement for all of us in the finance industry with the lending landscape changing daily. Lenders reducing LTV’s, valuations paused, GDV uncertainty, build costs increasing, supply chains suspended, builders can’t maintain social distancing so are on hold etc.

Pleased to have helped a developer move off a Finish & Exit Loan I’d arranged, by moving into a portfolio BTL product, allowing him to keep 4 new build flats after selling others in the development. Great to see Build-to-Rent becoming a focus for developers & lenders responding by flexibly allowing inter-company transactions, director loan receivables etc to fund the equity deposit for the BTL.

Huge thanks from my client & I to Rob Eggleston & his team at Paragon Banking Group PLC for aiding in this quirky transaction. They understand this landscape perfectly and thought outside the box to structure it right & get this £850k loan done.
Units are now rented out & cash-flowing themselves.

As always, feel free to get in touch if you are looking for funding solutions, always happy to help.

Stay safe and well everyone!

Portfolio Lending Exit for Large Developer

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:14:16 GMT

Developer Build to Rent Pivot & Refi done!

The past year has been challenging for Developers who've had to pivot themselves into Build to Rent & refinance at the end of their loan term either due to Covid scaring buyers away, or lenders reducing LTV's on New Builds affecting how much buyers can borrow, especially if they’ve used a developer exit loan already.

Recently a client needed to repay a developer exit loan on a large development in Southampton of 101 flats + 3 commercial units.
It was advised to pivot from a sale exit to a rent & refinance on the last 9 units which would be retained in a rental portfolio after selling the rest of their development.
Staying within Exposure, Lending & Concentration limits can be tricky with 1 lender, but the main challenge was the Developer using an intercompany profit share owed from the DevCo to fund the purchase deposit for the HoldCo ie no cash changing hands.
Not many lenders understand this but thanks to Amir Khan , Barry Richardson , Andrew Ferguson & the team at West One Loans who thought outside the box to get all units refinanced & release the maximum equity possible!

Thanks also to Dinesh Raja & the Bowling & Co Solicitors team for their legal expertise!

As always, feel free to reach out if I can assist with any financing needs. My network is open to all.

Vacant Commercial Property Funding

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:12:33 GMT

Tricky Commercial Property Purchase Funded!

A London based friend was trying to sell a vacant commercial property in Bradford & asked me to assist his buyer who‘s normal finance broker was struggling to get traction.

Vacant commercial property has been tough to fund given how lockdowns & restrictions have affected business.
This case was the perfect storm as the property had been purchased significantly below market value by the seller and was being sold at market value to the buyer.
It had been occupied by squatters for some time & was in need of minor repair & an improved EPC rating prior to finance.

Facing these obstacles, Lee Albino & the Commercial team at Shawbrook Bank understood the background, saw potential & were superb to get the term deal done. Huge thanks also to the team at Brilliant Solutions (UK) (best packager) as Kieran Barnden & Michael Craig were simply unreal, showing continued support to see this over the line.

Friend is ecstatic he sold & the buyer has sealed his long term tenant operating an MOT / Servicing Garage. Whisky thank you gift was gratefully accepted.

As always, feel free to reach out if I can assist with any financing needs. My network is open to all!

Development Finance despite Adverse Credit / Defaults!

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:11:12 GMT

Finish & Exit Loan, Credit Issues, Private Lender let down. Sorted!

A client was recently introduced to me mid project, seeking funds to finish the construction of large 4 bed home in Farnham. The current lender was a private pension fund who suddenly declined further lending & the client kept getting declined from new lenders. They'd even paid for a new valuation with another private lender who was now dragging their heels.

A review of the clients credit file quickly flagged the issue. The client had an old 110% LTV loan with Northern Rock & recently sold the BTL. Solicitors redeemed the loan but NRAM structured these as 100% LTV + 10% unsecured so only the 100% LTV was redeemed. The client didn't know the unsecured 10% was not redeemed and sold to Heliodor who were recording missed payments, eventually a default, hence the constant declines everywhere.

A lender was needed to clear the current debts + fund the remaining build costs. With the client running out of personal funds to continue & the builder maybe walking off the job as the roof was about to go up, Jeff Bungar , Chloe Carlin , Hiran Patel & team Kuflink stepped in quickly to provide funding certainty to finish a beautiful £1.35m Surrey home.

Happy client, happy lender, happy to help!

There’s something exciting about building something from nothing

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 19:19:50 GMT

It’s rewarding to go onsite & see a development in the flesh that you helped arrange the finance for. There’s something exciting about building something from nothing.

This prestigious block of 10 brand new, luxury, Help to Buy qualifying apartments in Bushey, Herts has literally risen up out of the ground & its impressive. So much so that buyers agree & it’s already 50% sold off plan with 8 weeks until delivery. That says something in this current Brexit /Covid climate!

Sure there were slight delays due to enhanced planning approvals obtained, sleek design changes, covid etc, but that is par for the course in projects & kudos to Abbas Merali , Sibtain Allibhai & the investor group for providing a high spec product.

Octopus were great in dealing with the complex syndicated equity structure when funding this. Uliana Kuzmis , Sam Wisker , Catherine Short really stood up & delivered. They’ll be pleased knowing the hand they played & to see how they've helped regenerate a neighbourhood. Well done guys!

As always, feel free to reach out if I can assist with any financing needs. My network is open to all.

Refinancing onto a HMO mortgage

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 19:18:08 GMT

Nice to receive the feedback below from a lender I’d initially placed a client with when refinancing them onto a HMO mortgage at the end of their project.

There were many twists & turns in getting this over the line with planning condition discharges & mortgage holidays taken etc.

Massive effort from Sam Brant BSc (Hons) & Anna Lewis at Hampshire Trust Bank to push this HMO refi through.

Hayley Best at Lightfoots LLP Solicitors was absolutely superb too putting in a serious shift on this one!

An extension was needed & kindly given by the good folks at Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Ltd.

When things aren’t going to plan nor are they straight forward, borrowers need guys like Shoaib Bux , Yasin Patel , Chloe Skae & Steven Wallis who showed flexibility, patience, common sense & understanding.

Clients are eternally grateful to all ��.

As always, feel free to reach out if I can assist with any financing needs. My network is open to all.

Positive feedback like this is so motivating!

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 19:15:32 GMT

It was discovered that a client had been wrongly reported on the Hunter/CIFAS databases whilst trying to refi a newly developed HMO because of a bank processing error on a loan application 3 yrs ago.

Helping my client took many twists and turns the past year as the bank initially refused to admit they reported them to Hunter/CIFAS & the current lender was seeking redemption. This took a personal toll on my client as they were a developer / estate agent so it threatened their entire livelihood.

Awards go to Jeff Bungar & Kuflink who facilitated an initial refi and title transfer between spouses via a serviced Bridge Loan, allowing the spouse to gain vital HMO landlord experience most term lenders require.

Special thanks also to Amir Khan & West One Loans who then helped move this onto their brand new HMO BTL Product Range making exceptions for the spouse being a first time HMO landlord and the HMO licence needing amendment after the council incorrectly issued it in the estate agents name.

I‘m ecstatic my client is now off Hunter/CIFAS databases & can move on with their life.

Amazing strength & positive mindset helped one another take the many hits & climb Everest together!

Equity JV / Syndication, Development Finance, Term Loan, Sale Arranged

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:35:04 GMT

Equity JV / Syndication, Development Finance, Bespoke Term Refi, Sourcing Long Term Tenants, Sale Engineered & Investors safely out, all in 1 deal!

It was pleasing to leverage my network to safely exit my investors recently from a 20 unit MUF project in Northampton.

The market's been tumultuous since 2018's project inception (Theresa May, Corbyn, Brexit & Covid) stalling it at various times. A safe exit required huge creativity, ingenuity & courage to pivot strategies multiple times.

Thanks firstly to Jeff Bungar & Kuflink for providing last minute Development Finance after the original lender lined up, failed 3 weeks before purchase completion (May 2018).

Special mention to Sam Brant BSc (Hons) , Steve Mettler , Anna Lewis & Hampshire Trust Bank to then create a bespoke, flexible ERC, Equity Release, Term MUF product (which didn't exist) at normal rates (July 2019)!

The strength of Jordan Phillips & Auction House London to persevere through various market conditions & buyers to achieve beyond local agent results was amazing (May 2021)!

Thank you also to Jenny Loynton & her legal team who assisted over 3 yrs with the initial JV structure, Development Finance, Term Refi, Tenant Lease, & Sale (2018-2021)!

Happy to share the many great lessons learned over 3 yrs on this project with folks.

Development Finish and Exit Finance

Thu, 25 May 2023 12:35:45 GMT

Around 6 months back I posted about helping a client who was introduced to me, seeking ~£840k to refinance their existing lender & finish his project after the existing lender stopped funding mid way through the build through no fault of the client.

So pleasing to be able to go onsite & see the project now very nearly finished & entering its snagging / landscaping phases, adding very much needed stock to the prestigious Farnham, Surrey area with this 4 bed 4 bath family home.

The stunning use of glass & skylights together with luxury features & finishes throughout add fine touches everywhere. Coupled with the popular & sought after Farnham school district always being in demand, its expected to sell very quickly once marketing commences.

Costs definitely increased due to shortages of materials & labour, but the GDV has also increased to more than offset this. Some before & after pictures are below showcasing the amazing transformation from what was originally the developers garden!

It’s been a pleasure advising the developer at various stages in the project, leveraging my own experiences to go beyond the remit of the usual intermediary, & I look forward to the next phase here & advising on future projects!

As always, if I can assist any of you in financing your own projects or with any property finance needs, then please feel free to get in touch.

Saved From Repossession

Thu, 25 May 2023 12:33:38 GMT

With all that’s currently going on in the world, it was amazing to receive 1 piece of positive news that a clients property was saved from repossession yesterday!

Huge shout out to Sonal Kavri & the Market Financial Solutions team for their massive help in overcoming the many challenges & completing an urgent £1.05m bridge loan for my client.

The property had been repossessed, was on the market with offers flooding into the existing lender from various buyers, & had restrictions / charges on title from a list of creditors as long as your arm, some of whom were very uncooperative & using sharp practice.

1 creditor even tried to fraudulently inflate their claim by £120k+ & hold my client to ransom at the 11th hour for “recovery of costs” despite a historical charging order obtained from the court showing only £2k was owed!

Sonal Kavri & Market Financial Solutions cleared them all to ensure clean title!

Solicitors Miles Fish & Demetris Dionissiou from Axiom DWFM & the clients family friend Rishi Doshi were massively instrumental in persistently & passionately working / negotiating through the complex creditor maze with very little supporting documentation to go off & had to build the case from scratch.

I couldn’t recommend all involved here highly enough to anyone who needs to get their client out of a serious jam & I’m so grateful we were able to help my client get the keys back, achieving a wonderful outcome.

As always, if I can assist any of you in financing your projects or with any property finance needs, then please feel free to get in touch.

Portfolio Landlord Equity Release

Thu, 25 May 2023 12:30:50 GMT

As a Specialist Finance Intermediary I was pleased to receive the feedback below from a portfolio landlord client who I recently helped release equity on a property portfolio they owned, in order to acquire a new build block they wanted.

Such cases are often tricky, idiosyncratic with many moving parts - valuation challenges, separation of freehold / leasehold titles, complex background portfolios, family trust owned SPV’s, unfinished contractor works causing delays, warranties etc. It’s always a real team effort between Borrower, Lender, Solicitors etc with Brokers & BDM’s often being the glue in making a transaction happen.

Rob Eggleston at Paragon Banking Group PLC repeatedly demonstrated his experience, thinking many steps ahead & guiding the wider team to a fundable transaction structure at the outset to support lending on the existing and target property.

His responsiveness & ability to show flexibility on criteria points, looking for ways to say yes rather than finding reasons to say no made the borrower’s & my life easier.

Borrower objectives & lending criteria aside, he’s definitely exceptional & 1 of the reasons why I recommend Paragon Banking Group PLC to clients where I’ve been fortunate to have had his help in completing over £7.7m in client lending to date.

As for my service, it’s been a privilege to help this happy client refinance ~£6.4m across 22 properties to continually release equity & further grow their portfolio so they can achieve their financial dreams & objectives.

As always, if I can assist any of you in financing your own projects or with any property finance needs, then please feel free to get in touch.

Its Not Always About Rate!

Thu, 25 May 2023 12:28:36 GMT

Navigating the changing lending landscape from the stability we've all known over the last decade, especially in the last 6-9 months has been a minefield so its an honour to recognise a person who’s gone over the top, providing exceptional lender service to my clients & I during this period.

Building a valued broker - lender relationship over time, Patrick Ogrigri 's exceptional service is 1 of the reasons why my clients have completed over £6.4m with Foundation Home Loans across Buy to Let, HMO & Large Loan lending.

For brokers who aren't restricted to particular lenders or panels, its paramount to ensure each clients individual ambitions, goals & objectives are met when matching their requirements against lenders products & criteria.

Clients appreciate hearing hidden nuggets from their specialist brokers like how smooth lender processes are, what exceptions may be possible, borrower application experience, but perhaps more importantly, lender service levels. The impact that has on fostering a feeling of funding certainty is immeasurable.

Patrick is always happy to discuss prospective / ongoing cases & the responsive Underwriting team that supports him doesn't let him down either, continuing to solve various funding questions whether:

- I have a client thats received no taxable income for years because they've been receiving Directors Loan Repayments;

- refinancing a Development Finance loan onto Buy to Let for a developer that has pivoted into Build to Rent rather than sale;

or anything else quirky.

His ability to package information to meet criteria results in yes's more often than not (brokers appreciate this).

We are grateful for him going above & beyond on more occasions than I can remember to help get quirky cases over the line in this challenging climate, & I look forward to continue working with him in future, as well as seeing rates further reduce as they have done the past 3 months.

As always, feel free to get in touch to discuss financing your projects or with any BTL / HMO / Portfolio / Commercial property finance needs.

Delivering for Our Clients

Thu, 25 May 2023 12:27:05 GMT

The last 6 months have been crazy for borrowers, lenders & brokers with high inflation, fast rising rates, UK political uncertainty & wider geopolitical instability. Hats off to all my lending partners & broker friends for doing our utmost to continue delivering for our clients in such a volatile landscape! ��

Thank you also to Jamie Russell , Daniel Eastwood , Shane Donnelly , Anna Gibbons CII & the wider Ortus Secured Finance team for delivering funding certainty for my clients by completing £1.24M in bridge / refurb facilities at stellar rates.

Whilst rates were rising, some lenders pulled products, others withdrew from the market temporarily, chaos everywhere, they held steady!

Highlights:

1st charge bridge to purchase a BMV Marylebone flat where the seller had their onward chain collapse post offer, taking 5 months to complete! Rates held steady!

1st charge finish / exit loan to totally refurbish a listed Maida Vale mansion flat that was a shell & totally stripped / gutted on purchase & valuation.

1st charge re-bridge for a portfolio landlord client awaiting retrospective planning / certificate of lawful use on 2 converted flats in a detached bungalow. Flats down valued (current trend) so they restructured quickly at the same rate with a 2nd charge on clients main residence to plug the gap.

Lots of moving parts with architects, planners, freeholders, building management companies, solicitors, surveyors, sellers, existing 1st lenders, insurers & insurance brokers & the list goes on. Thank you also to the super solicitors on these tricky cases too; Alicia Pattihis & Sophia R. were the bees knees!��

I couldn’t recommend all involved here highly enough to anyone who needs to get their clients out of tricky situations.

As always, if I can assist any of you in financing your projects or with any property finance needs, then please feel free to get in touch.

Foreign National Prime London Buy To Let

Thu, 25 May 2023 12:23:42 GMT

Foreign National, Prime London Buy To Let, Held in BVI Company, Unverified Income / No Tax Returns (UAE Resident)....No Problem....DONE!

Immensely grateful to Sonal Kavri , Scott Lord CeMAP , Hayley Cook & Jemima Hayes at Market Financial Solutions for releasing equity of ~£700k+ & helping a client get over the line to pursue other investment interests.

Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing rates environment, the team were able to flex their BTL offering to match the borrowers requirements with;

- Discount off their annual interest rate so the monthly payments were lower and more affordable.

- Discounted Interest deferred until maturity.

- No Monthly payments until after the 1st 6 months.

- Most importantly, FIXED RATES for 2 yrs especially at a time when a lot of the hybrid / bridge lending market has moved to variable only.

Although the goalposts kept shifting from the client due to their equity release requirement frequently changing, Hayley, Jemima Hayes , Sonal Kavri , Scott Lord CeMAP & the team at Market Financial Solutions serenely breezed through the 7 variations on this deal to see it through!

Lots of moving parts with freeholders, solicitors, surveyors, insurers, the list goes on. Thank you also to the super solicitors on this tricky case too; Dinesh Raja & Rashida Zakir at Bowling & Co Solicitors were exceptional, as was the support of Dina Dattani .

As always, if I can assist any of you in financing your projects or with any property finance needs, then please feel free to get in touch.