Commercial & Commercial Property Finance

Owner-occupied & investment finance

Commercial Mortgages for Business Owners

A commercial mortgage can be used to purchase or refinance premises from which your business trades. This may include a first business premises, an additional location, or a refinance of existing borrowing to secure more suitable terms.

• Retail units and shops
• Offices and professional spaces
• Large retail or mixed-use sites
• Industrial units and warehouses
• Land for commercial use
• Leisure and hospitality premises

Where your business occupies the property, this is typically known as owner-occupied commercial finance. Lenders will usually assess the application based on the financial strength, profitability, cash generation, and trading history of the business.

Purchase, Refinance & Equity Release

Commercial finance can support property purchases, refinance existing facilities, or release equity from premises already owned by the business. Funds released may be used for growth, working capital, refurbishment, asset purchase, or wider investment needs.

Affordability & Repayment

Affordability is usually assessed using the company's financial performance, including profitability, cash flow, and ability to service the proposed debt. Where a business currently rents its premises, lenders may also consider existing rental payments when assessing affordability.

Ownership Structures (OPCO / PROPCO)

Some businesses choose to hold property in a separate property-holding company, often referred to as a PROPCO, with the trading business operating as the OPCO. This structure is commonly accepted by lenders and may offer operational, succession, and tax planning benefits, subject to professional advice.

Commercial Property Investment Finance

Commercial property investment finance is designed for clients purchasing or refinancing non-residential property held for investment purposes. Unlike owner-occupied commercial mortgages, the property is usually let to a third-party tenant and assessed primarily on the rental income it generates.

Eligible Commercial Property Types

We support a wide range of commercial asset types, including:

• Semi-commercial units (shops with flats above)
• Offices and professional spaces
• Large retail premises
• Industrial units and warehouses
• Land for commercial use
• Leisure and hospitality premises

These properties are commonly let to unrelated businesses under commercial leases, often on a fully repairing and insuring (FRI) basis.

Investment Affordability & Repayment

For investment property, affordability is typically assessed against the rent received or expected from the tenant. Lenders will also consider the wider quality of the asset and lease arrangements, including:

• Lease length and security of tenure
• Tenant strength and covenant quality

Interest-only and capital repayment facilities may be available, depending on the lender, asset type, lease profile, loan-to-value, and applicant circumstances.

Ownership Structures

We work with a wide range of client types, including:

• Sole traders
• Partnerships
• Limited companies (Ltd)
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)

Whether the property is owned personally, within a trading business, partnership, LLP, limited company, or dedicated SPV, we can help identify a suitable finance structure and lender approach.

Pricing & Fees

Pricing will depend on factors such as loan-to-value, property type, lease strength, business or tenant profile, repayment structure, and overall credit risk. Arrangement fees typically range from 1–5% of the loan amount and can often be added to the facility, subject to lender approval.