Crowd With Us
London-based property crowdfunding platform founded in 2014, connecting investors with UK property development opportunities through mezzanine finance and equity structures. No evidence of FCA authorisation found; investors lack FSCS and Financial Ombudsman protections.
General Information
Crowd With Us is a London-based property crowdfunding platform founded in 2014 by Rob Wilkinson and Robert Pasternak. The platform matches private investors with UK property developers seeking capital for development projects.
Regulatory status: searches of publicly available material did not identify Crowd With Us on the FCA Financial Services Register and no Firm Reference Number (FRN) or direct FCA authorisation was found. There is also no evidence that the firm operates as an appointed representative of an authorised principal. Investors should therefore assume the platform operates outside FCA authorisation unless the FCA Register or the firm's own disclosures indicate otherwise — this removes FSCS and Financial Ombudsman protections.
The platform's own website carries the following risk warning:
"Crowd With Us Limited operates in the unregulated lending market. We make loans to commercial property developers that are considered HIGH RISK. Loans are secured against property assets and other security, but there is no guarantee or certainty that in the event of a default by the Borrower that we can recover our loan — even partially, so lenders could lose all of their money. Please think carefully about your personal circumstances before lending to us.
Crowd With Us Limited is NOT AUTHORISED OR REGULATED by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Consequently, you are unlikely to have any recourse to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) or the Financial Ombudsman Services (FOS) in connection with your loan to Crowd With Us and your Funding Agreement with Crowd With Us."
How does it work?
Crowd With Us operates a property crowdfunding model focused on mezzanine finance — a hybrid that sits between senior debt and equity — linking individual investors to property development opportunities secured by UK real estate collateral. Investors can browse deals and invest via the online platform; the platform charges developers a success fee when projects reach full funding rather than a direct investor subscription fee.
What do they offer?
Product focus: investments in UK property development through mezzanine-style arrangements and equity-like structures. The platform has been described in marketing copy as offering "low-risk" property deals; that characterisation is unverified and should be treated cautiously because secured mezzanine positions can still expose investors to capital loss if projects fail.
Fees and minimums: investor-facing fees are reported as 0% platform fee and a 45p withdrawal fee; developers pay a success fee on completed raises. The commonly quoted minimum investment is £1, which increases accessibility but does not mitigate credit, market or liquidity risks.
Missing/uncertain items: there is no consistent, verifiable public record of historical returns, aggregate funds lent, default rates, or a published track record that would allow independent performance assessment. Some sources report different loan/repayment totals. There is no evidence of an IFISA wrapper, SIPP eligibility, or a secondary market for early exits.
Who is it for?
The platform appears intended for experienced investors who accept higher risk and illiquidity. Sources indicate that the platform requires investors to be adults and to self-certify as appropriate for the opportunities on offer; some projects may be aimed at investors who meet "sophisticated" or "high net worth" definitions, though specific eligibility rules should be verified directly with the firm.
Why this matters: without FCA authorisation or FSCS/Ombudsman protections, investor diligence is the primary line of defence. Mezzanine and development finance exposures can result in total capital loss; therefore, only a small portion of a diversified portfolio should be allocated if an investor chooses to participate.
Strengths & Risks
Potential strengths (as reported)
- Low stated minimum investment (reported £1) and low investor fees (0% platform fee; 45p withdrawal fee) may lower the monetary barrier to participation.
Principal risks and limitations
- Regulatory: no evidence of FCA authorisation was located; this removes FSCS and Financial Ombudsman recourse and significantly increases counterparty and conduct risk.
- Transparency: conflicting figures for total lending and repayments and a lack of independently verifiable historical performance or default-rate disclosures limit investors' ability to assess track record.
- Liquidity: no evidence of a secondary market or routine early-exit mechanism; capital may be locked until project completion.
- Operational/customer feedback: third-party review pages and forum mentions are sparse and mixed; some aggregator/review entries report complaints or operational issues.
These risks materially affect the likelihood of capital preservation and investor recourse; investors should prioritise up-to-date regulatory checks and request documentary evidence of project security and historic performance from the platform.
Red Flags & Watch Points
- No FCA authorisation found: this is the principal red flag. Unless Crowd With Us appears on the FCA Financial Services Register or can demonstrate operation under an authorised principal, investors lack statutory protections (FSCS and Financial Ombudsman).
- Conflicting performance/volume figures: sources show contradictory numbers for funds lent and repaid — one states over £17m lent and £5.1m repaid, while another states nearly £3m lent and £8.4m repaid. This contradiction is unresolved and requires clarification from primary company disclosures or audited records.
- Limited independent reviews: there is a near-absence of consistent, extensive third-party reviews on mainstream platforms; where reviews exist they are limited or mixed, reducing external verification of operational quality.
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- Red Flags & Watch Points
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice and should not be considered as such. In particular, it does not constitute personal advice — please consult a qualified financial adviser to address your particular personal requirements. Other is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), its authors are not financial advisers and it is therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. This article is not intended as an offer, invitation or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any investment, nor is its issuance intended to give rise to any other legal relations whatsoever and must not be relied upon for the purposes of any investment decision. The information contained in this article is subject to updating, revision and amendment.
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