Everything UK borrowers ask us about commercial mortgages — rates, deposits, eligibility and timescales.
- What is a commercial mortgage?
- A commercial mortgage is a long-term secured loan used to buy, refinance or release equity from property used for business purposes — including offices, shops, warehouses, industrial units, surgeries, restaurants, HMOs and mixed-use buildings. Terms typically run from 3 to 30 years on a repayment or interest-only basis.
- How much can I borrow on a commercial mortgage?
- Most UK commercial mortgage lenders will advance up to 75% loan-to-value (LTV) on owner-occupied trading premises and up to 70% LTV on commercial investment property. Loan sizes start at £50,000 and we regularly arrange commercial mortgage facilities over £1 million, with bespoke private-bank funding available above £25m.
- What deposit do I need for a commercial mortgage?
- Expect to put down a 25–35% deposit on a standard commercial mortgage. Owner-occupiers with strong trading accounts can sometimes secure 80% LTV (a 20% deposit), and additional security — such as a second property or director's guarantee — can reduce the cash deposit required further.
- What are current commercial mortgage rates in the UK?
- As of 2026, commercial mortgage rates typically start from around 5.50% for prime owner-occupier deals and 6.50–7.50% for commercial investment. Your rate depends on LTV, loan term, asset class, lease covenant strength and borrower experience. We compare 60+ commercial lenders to find the sharpest pricing for your specific deal.
- How long does a commercial mortgage take to complete?
- We typically return indicative commercial mortgage terms within 48 hours. From application to drawdown, most deals complete in 8–16 weeks depending on the speed of the RICS valuation, legal due diligence and the lender's credit committee. Bridging alternatives are available where speed is critical.
- Can I get a commercial mortgage with bad credit or as a new SPV?
- Yes. Many challenger banks and specialist commercial mortgage lenders accept applicants with adverse credit, recently incorporated SPV limited companies, first-time commercial landlords and complex income. The rate and LTV will reflect the risk, but we routinely place commercial mortgages other brokers have declined.
- Are commercial mortgages regulated?
- Most commercial mortgages are unregulated by the FCA because they are taken out for business or investment purposes. However, owner-occupier mortgages where more than 40% of the property is used as the borrower's main residence are FCA-regulated.
- What fees are involved in arranging a commercial mortgage?
- Typical costs include a lender arrangement fee (1–2% of the loan, usually added to the facility), a RICS valuation fee, legal fees for both sides, and a broker fee paid only on completion.
- Can I use a commercial mortgage to buy my business premises?
- Yes — owner-occupier commercial mortgages are one of the most popular use cases. Buying rather than renting your trading premises builds equity, fixes occupancy costs, and the mortgage interest is typically an allowable business expense. We also arrange pension-backed (SIPP/SSAS) purchases of commercial property.
- Do you arrange commercial mortgages across the whole UK?
- Yes. We arrange commercial mortgages across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for UK and overseas borrowers, limited companies, LLPs, trusts, SIPPs and SSASs. Our adviser team works remotely by phone, video and email so location is no barrier.