Care Fees Bridging Rates 2026 — Updated October 2026
- Care fees bridging from
- 0.65%/monthCare fees bridging from
- Usual maximum term, matched to the sale
- 12 monthsUsual maximum term, matched to the sale
- Rolled interest on £300,000 over 8 months at 0.80%
- £19,746Rolled interest on £300,000 over 8 months at 0.80%
- How funds can be released
- Monthly or lump sumHow funds can be released
When care has to start before a home is sold, a bridging loan secured on the home can cover fees until the sale completes. Rates start from about 0.65% a month; the loan and interest are repaid from the sale. We handle these cases with extra care: family members, attorneys and deputies are often involved, and we check capacity and authority first.
What a care fees bridging loan costs: worked example
- Interest
- £19,746
- Arrangement fee (2%)
- £6,000
- Interest and arrangement fee
- £25,746
£300,000 for 8 months at 0.80% a month, interest rolled
The loan and interest are repaid from the sale of the home.
A free, no-obligation later life lending review with a qualified adviser
The figures above are indicative and describe the best case. Send your own scenario and we will come back the same working day with terms from the lenders that actually fit it.
- Enquiry type
- Later Life Lending
- About
- Care Fees Bridging Rates
No upfront fees on loans over £1m.
Enough detail to price it is the amount, the security, the purpose and how you plan to repay. The rest we can fill in on a call.
Whole of market · 130+ lenders · FCA 814533 · Same working day response
Rate context and outlook
Lifetime mortgage rates are fixed for life and are priced from long-dated gilt yields, which rose in September alongside other market rates. Bank Rate is 3.75% after the 17 September hold, with the next decision on 5 November.
Retirement interest-only and retirement mortgages follow the wider mortgage market, where fixed rates rose in September. Rates are indicative and depend on age, property value and the amount released.
Reviewed by David Doulton, Director, Doulton Bridging Finance — over 20 years in property finance. Last reviewed 1 October 2026. Doulton Money Ltd t/a Doulton Bridging Finance, FCA No. 814533.
Frequently asked questions
Can an attorney arrange it?
Yes, under a registered Lasting Power of Attorney for property and financial affairs.
Are there alternatives?
Local authority deferred payment agreements may be available — compare them first.
How long do care fee bridges last?
Usually up to 12 months, matched to the expected sale.
Can care fees be paid directly from the loan?
Yes; funds can be released monthly or as a lump sum.
Does the local authority need to be involved?
Only if a deferred payment agreement is being compared or used instead.
What is the minimum age?
55 for lifetime mortgages; many RIO and retirement mortgage lenders start at 50–55.
What happens when I die or move into care?
The loan is repaid from the sale of the home, usually after the last borrower dies or moves into long-term care.
Will it affect my benefits?
Releasing cash can affect means-tested benefits; your adviser will check this before you proceed.
Can my family still inherit?
Yes, what remains after the loan is repaid, and some plans let you protect a percentage of the property's value.
Do I need advice?
Yes. Equity release must be arranged through a qualified adviser, and we recommend involving your family.
Where this applies
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.
Get a personalised rate comparison for your case
Independent whole-of-market advice · FCA No. 814533