Equipment & asset finance, matched to the right asset specialist
We forward your details to asset finance specialists across the UK and US who fund hire purchase, finance lease, and operating lease structures against specific equipment. Preserves working capital, lines the cost of the asset up with its useful life.
- Introduction in 48 hours
- Free for borrowers
- No credit checks from us
At a glance
- Facility size
- £25k - £15M / $30k - $20M
- Typical term
- 3 - 7 years (longer for heavy plant)
- Security
- Charge over the financed asset
- Structures
- Hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease
- Funding speed
- First draw in 3 - 14 days
Equipment & asset finance: Finance specific assets - plant, vehicles, machinery, IT - without tying up working capital.
What is equipment & asset finance?
Equipment and asset finance is specialist lending secured against a specific tangible asset - plant, machinery, vehicles, IT, fit-out, manufacturing equipment, even high-value tools. Three main structures exist. Hire purchase: you make monthly payments and own the asset at the end. Finance lease: you pay for the use of the asset over its life; the lender retains title. Operating lease: shorter-term hire with no ownership intent - useful for vehicles and rapidly depreciating tech. The asset itself is the primary security, which is why asset finance is usually faster and cheaper to draw than a comparable unsecured loan.
Common uses, and who it's right for
Common uses
- Plant and machinery (excavators, presses, CNC, production lines)
- Commercial vehicles, fleets, and HGVs
- Manufacturing and processing equipment
- IT, telecoms, and AV hardware
- Fit-out finance for new sites
- Renewable energy assets (solar, EV charging, battery storage)
Best for
- Asset-intensive businesses that need new equipment to grow capacity
- Operators who want to preserve working capital for stock and payroll
- Businesses upgrading equipment on a regular replacement cycle
- Use cases where the asset has a clear secondary-market value
Not the right fit
- Funding intangibles - software-only spend, marketing, services
- Equipment with no secondary market (highly bespoke or proprietary kit)
- Working capital needs unrelated to a specific asset purchase
Where it usually goes wrong - and how Tenttfinance fixes it
Four typical pain points borrowers hit when shopping for equipment & asset finance - and the way our introducer model is built to remove them.
Where it usually breaks
- Bank declines because the asset class is unfamiliar to their underwriting team
- Comparison sites quote one rate but the actual offer is much higher once they see your accounts
- Long lead times that risk the equipment supplier pulling the offer
- You don't know whether HP, finance lease, or operating lease is the right structure
How Tenttfinance fixes it
- We forward your details to specialists who actively fund your asset type - so the conversation starts at structure, not eligibility
- Tenttfinance runs no checks. We forward to lenders whose published criteria fit your profile - what they quote is what you'll get
- We match to lenders who can fund inside two weeks for standard kit, so you don't lose the supplier price
- The specialist we forward you to will walk through all three structures and the tax / accounting implications of each for your situation
How to get matched to a equipment & asset finance specialist
Three steps. Most introductions go out within 48 hours of a complete request.
Tell us about your business
Share the basics - business type, the equipment & asset finance amount you need, use of funds, and timeline. Three minutes. No credit check.
We match and forward your details
We identify the equipment & asset finance specialist most likely to fund your situation and forward your details directly to them - matched to your sector, size, and market (UK or US).
The lender contacts you
The specialist reaches out to you directly with their terms, documentation, and next steps. You take the conversation from there.
Equipment & asset finance - frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most from borrowers exploring equipment & asset finance. If yours isn't covered, start an application and we'll route you to a specialist who can answer it directly.
What's the difference between HP, finance lease, and operating lease?
Hire purchase (HP): you make monthly payments and own the asset at the end. Finance lease: you pay for the use of the asset over its full life; the lender retains title but you take all the risks and rewards of ownership in the meantime. Operating lease: shorter-term hire where the lender keeps the residual risk on the asset; you hand it back at the end. Tax and accounting treatment differs across all three - the specialist will run through which is right for your situation.
Will I need a deposit?
Often, yes - typical deposits run from 0% to 20% of the asset value depending on the asset, the lender, and your business profile. New equipment from a recognised manufacturer typically requires less deposit than older / second-hand kit, because the security value is clearer.
Can I finance second-hand equipment?
Yes. Many asset finance lenders fund used equipment, although they'll typically want recent valuations and a clear maintenance history. The advance rate and term will usually be lower than for equivalent new equipment because residual values are harder to predict.
What happens at the end of the term?
Depends on the structure. With HP, you make a final 'option to purchase' payment and the asset becomes yours. With finance lease, you can usually continue leasing at a peppercorn rent or sell the asset to a third party with the lender's permission. With operating lease, you return the asset to the lender - or sometimes upgrade to newer equipment under a new agreement.
Is asset finance available for vehicles and fleets?
Yes - commercial vehicles, HGVs, vans, and full fleet finance are some of the most common uses of asset finance. Specialist fleet lenders can structure individual vehicles or whole rolling fleets, including managed-fleet structures where the lender takes the disposal risk at end of term.
Related loan types
Not sure if this is the right fit? Here are other loan types we cover that often come up in the same conversations.
Get matched to the right equipment & asset finance specialist
Tell us what you need. We'll forward your details to the specialist most likely to fund - and they'll reach out to you directly.