SME property development finance provider, Assetz Capital, has announced a repricing of its refurbishment, regeneration, and development exit loans – with all borrower rates now starting with a nine.
The refreshed product range includes development exit loans from 9.25% p.a. – enabling developers to refinance away from their current funder, release capital tied up in completed or near-complete schemes, and free up funds while final units are marketed for sale.
Residential refurbishment loans now start from 9.5%, supporting conversions, extensions, and modernisations that bring existing buildings back into use.
Planning assistance loans start from 9.25%, allowing work on commercial-to-residential conversions to progress ahead of full planning consent.
Assetz says the move comes as the UK housing sector faces record-low planning approvals, lengthy Section 106 negotiations and the adoption of the High-Risk Building protocols. In this environment, refurbishment and regeneration of existing stock are increasingly recognised as faster, more predictable ways to deliver much-needed homes – keeping the housing market moving while the planning system catches up.
The UK currently has more than 165,000 privately-owned commercial premises standing empty, plus over 7,000 owned by local authorities that have been vacant for more than a year. Assetz Capital believes these sites could be converted into desperately needed homes far quicker than building entirely new schemes from scratch.
Andrew Fraser, chief commercial officer at Assetz Capital, said: “There has been a positive uptick in planning applications submitted in Q2 2025, but we are acutely aware developers are facing unprecedented delays, with these planning approvals in England at a 20-year low. While the system recovers, refurbishment and regeneration present a vital route to keep housing supply moving. These projects are typically faster to deliver, easier to fund, and rely on existing infrastructure – making them an ideal focus for developers and brokers in the current climate.
“We have priced these products to be highly competitive, but this is about more than just rates. It’s about speed, certainty, and the ability to fund through complexity. We’re calling on brokers to bring refurbishment and regeneration cases forward this Autumn – now is the time to unlock these opportunities.”
