How do I apply for a business loan secured on

2 min read

ValuationOf the property

Legal workCharge registered

Larger/cheaperThe upside

Days–weeksThe timeline

What secured means here

Securing a loan on property gives the lender a legal charge over it, so they can recover the debt from the asset if the company defaults. Because that lowers their risk, secured borrowing can be larger and cheaper than unsecured — but the property is genuinely at stake, which is the trade-off to weigh.

The extra steps

Beyond the usual assessment, expect a professional valuation of the property and legal work by a solicitor to register the charge. These are the completion steps that add time, and they carry third-party costs you may bear even if the deal does not proceed. This is why secured deals run to days or weeks.

Preparing for it

Have property details, ownership evidence and any existing-charge information ready, and factor the valuation and legal timeline into your plans. Sort any board or shareholder authority early. Model the larger, cheaper repayment on the repayment calculator, then enquire for a business loan.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a secured loan take longer to arrange?

Because of the valuation and the legal work to register the charge, which involve third parties and cannot be rushed. Allow days to weeks, against same-day or 24–72 hours for an unsecured facility.

What are the risks of securing a loan on property?

The property is at risk if the company cannot repay, since the lender can enforce the charge. That is the price of the larger, cheaper borrowing — so be confident of affordability before you pledge an asset.