Semi-Commercial Mortgages

£
£
What makes a property semi-commercial? Any property that is part-business, part home. Whether that’s a flat above a chippy or a live-in pub. Either way, you’re in the right place if you’re looking for finance.

What is a semi commercial mortgage?

A semi commercial mortgage is the loan you would take to purchase or remortgage a property that is considered ‘mixed-use’. Put simply, a property that has both a residential and a commercial space.

What is a semi commercial property?

A semi commercial property is a premises that is comprised of both residential and commercial space. You might more commonly hear it referred to as a mixed-use property.

Some examples of the types of property that would be considered as semi-commercial or mixed use would be;

  • Off-license with flats above
  • Pub with built-in accommodation
  • Owner occupied AirBnB
  • Restaurant/take-away with flats above
  • Any business ran from your home

Can you have a commercial mortgage on a residential property?

If you’re talking about your bog-standard residential property, then no. You can stick with your standard residential mortgage and enjoy the lower interest rates that come with that.

However, there are cases where you would need a semi-commercial mortgage on a residential property. If you run any business operations from your home this would be considered commercial activity and would require a more specialist mortgage.

For example, if you have an at-home beauty clinic.

If you’re unsure whether you need a commercial mortgage your best bet is to speak to someone who knows – aka, us!

Who is eligible for a semi-commercial mortgage?

If you are a business owner that wants to purchase or remortgage a mixed-use property, you will need a semi-commercial mortgage. The same applies for investors who let out mixed use property.

Your actual eligibility will depend entirely on your personal circumstances, financial situation, credit profile and business performance. You’ll need to speak to a commercial mortgage broker to find out whether you are eligible.

Affordability calculations have a significant bearing on how much you are able to borrow. Commercial mortgage lenders would need to be satisfied that the mortgage payments are comfortably affordable based on your EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation).

In simple terms, your business must be sufficiently profitable.

Can I live upstairs in the mixed-use property?

Yes, you can live in the residential part of your semi commercial property. This will have implications on the loan though as it would make it a regulated transaction which will limit the number of lenders you have the choice of.

Our free deal optimiser service saves on average £10,475.

By offering a free price comparison tool we place the power back in your hands. Our deal optimiser service forces lenders to compete for your business, saving you time and money. †

Compare & Optimise

Do I need planning permission to convert the mixed-use property

It depends on whether you want to make external structural changes to the property such as changing windows. Recent changes to permitted development rights allow you to convert mixed-use property under class E to residential without the need for full planning permission (subject to several conditions.)

What does Class E cover?

  • Retail shops
  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Offices
  • Banks, travel agents & estate agents
  • Light industrial units
  • Medical or health services
  • Creches & day nursery
  • Indoor sports venues

If your property falls under any of these categories you may be able to convert the premises under permitted development rights.

However, you will need to demonstrate to the local planning authority that the proposal will not have a negative impact on transport & highways, contamination, flood risk, noise and natural light of the area.

What if I want to convert the commercial property to fully residential?

Crack on! Thanks to permitted development rights you can convert many classes of commercial property to residential without the need for full planning permission. If you want to make external structural changes like changing a window then you will need planning permission.

What is the process for getting a semi commercial mortgage

The first thing you need to do is speak to a qualified and experienced commercial mortgage broker. Commercial mortgages are a specialist finance product, so standard brokers will not have an understanding of the market and will be unable to give you quality advice.

Your commercial broker will speak to you about your situation and requirements and then prepare an application for the most appropriate lenders. You will need to provide information about both your personal and your business finances.

Much like a traditional mortgage, once your application is in and signed, its over to the broker to liaise with the lender, solicitor and valuers to complete your application.

What do commercial lenders require for a semi commercial mortgage

The application process varies from lender to lender but there are a few things that you can be sure you’ll be expected to provide

  • Personal bank statements (usually 3-6 months)
  • Business bank statements (usually 3-6 months)
  • Owner occupiers will need to provide 2 years of accounts to demonstrate the business is sufficiently profitable
  • Income and expenditure

Get in touch

Not sure what the best option is for you? Speak to one of our property finance consultants who are qualified to give you impartial advice, with no obligation.

We’re passionate about property, and would be happy to help.

Contact us

Can I get a semi-commercial mortgage with 20% deposit?

No. Most commercial mortgage lenders require a 25% deposit at the very least. You typically have to raise a much higher deposit than you would for a residential mortgage. The total deposit you’ll be required to put down will depend on a number of factors, including the type of business, your credit profile and your balance sheet.

To get an accurate idea of the deposit you’ll need, speak to a commercial broker.

What fees are charged on a semi commercial mortgage

Valuation fee - You’ll need to pay a valuation fee which typically will cost more than you’d see on a residential mortgage because the report is so much more extensive. The cost of your valuation will also depend on the value of the property; the higher the value, the higher the fee.

Lender arrangement fee – Commercial mortgage lenders charge a fee to underwrite the loan. This is charged towards the end of the mortgage process and ranges from 1% to 2% of the loan amount.

Broker fee – Your commercial broker will charge a fee for sourcing and administrating the mortgage. This is usually a fixed amount and our fees start from £395 and increase depending on the complexity of the case.

Legal fees – You are liable to pay both your own legal fees and the commercial lenders legal fees.

What is a good rate for a commercial mortgage?

Commercial mortgage interest rates are higher than residential rates because they’re deemed to be higher risk. However, the actual rate you’ll pay can vary from 5% all the way up to 12%, although it’s incredibly rare that we are unable to find a suitable commercial mortgage lender for your circumstances that would charge as much as the higher rate.

Your commercial mortgage interest rate will depend on your industry, loan amount, credit profile and business accounts so you really can’t get a good idea of what rate to expect unless you speak to one of our commercial mortgage brokers.

Who are the best semi commercial lenders?

There are plenty of high-street banks that you will be familiar with that offer commercial mortgages. However, the downside of using a high-street bank is they are typically much stricter on criteria and prefer to work on straight-forward cases. This is where your challenger banks come in; lesser known but equally reputable and experts in their field.

You’ll recognise the household names such as Barclays, Lloyds, Nat West and Yorkshire Building Society on our panel, but we also have top commercial mortgage lenders such as Allica Bank Interbay Commercial.

You should always compare commercial mortgages to get an idea of what it could cost you, and speak to a specialist broker who will be able to advise you on the best direction for your circumstances. You can make a commercial mortgage comparison right here at propp!

How long can you get a commercial mortgage for?

Most commercial lenders offer a term of up to 25 years in line with residential mortgages. Some even stretch up to 30, but you’ll likely see higher rates and more stringent terms due to the reduction in choice.

If you wanted a much shorter term, such as a 2-year commercial mortgage you would need to be looking at a commercial bridging loan. Lucky for you, you’re still in the right place and can compare these rates on our bridging comparison tool.

Are semi-commercial mortgages regulated?

Typically, most commercial mortgages are unregulated. However, if more than 40% of the property is classed as residential then this would be considered a regulated finance product. This does mean that less lenders will consider your application than on a pure commercial transaction, however this shouldn’t stop you from getting the semi-commercial mortgage you require.

Commercial Loan Reviews

  • We met Louis through our business...

    We met Louis through our business partners, who have worked with him through many property mortgages and short-term finance. We had issues with our previous broker, who then caused issues between us and our lender.Louis stepped in and not only maintained our relationship with our bank but also managed to get us a second loan with the existing bank, allowing us to continue our relationship and grow it even more.I can’t recommend Louis enough. See you soon, chap!

    Read More
  • Propp have been absolutely fantastic…

    Propp have been absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Always on hand for a questions or queries and have got things completed for us efficiently and promptly. Highly recommend.

    Read More
  • Brad and his team were very helpful

    Great value for money and support!

    Read More
  • Absolutely exceptional customer care…

    Absolutely exceptional customer care and diligence throughout the whole process. I would highly recommend Propp to anyone looking for a commercial mortgage brokers. Can't speak highly enough of them. Massive shout out to Brad, Harriet and Jordan especially!

    Read More
  • A Great Experience

    I was referred to Propp and my first contact was with Brad who quickly and efficiently arranged my loan in a particularly difficult market. Nicole very helpfully and ably assisted ensuring all paperwork and details were tied up in readiness for the solicitors whereupon Harriet took over and with her robust and pragmatic approach ensured the solicitors performed quickly. All three were extremely polite, professional and informative throughout so a big thank you to them.

    Read More
  • Excellent Brokers

    Excellent brokers, charges fees only after successful completion. Patience and work ethics are second to none. Great work by Brad, Megan & Harriet.

    Read More
  • Property Mortgage

    Brad and Megan were both professionals and very helpful in my mortgage application. Even though I encountered some difficulties, Megan solved them easily. Thank you very much to both.

    Read More
  • Mortgage Broker

    Louis from Propp has helped me find 3 mortgages for my Ltd company. He was very reliable and quick to answer any queries I had. He hunted through many mortgages to find the best ones for my circumstances. It was all handled quickly and professionally. I would recommend Louis to anyone wanting a good mortgage broker.

    Read More
  • I found Propp an excellent company to deal with.

    I found Propp an excellent company to deal with. Their staff both Brad and Harriet were excellent. Prompt attention, helpful and efficient made the whole process easy and stress-free. Highly recommend Propp to all property investors.

    Read More
  • Excellent Service

    I had the privilege of working with Melissa and Brad from Propp during the process of my remortgage, and I am delighted to express my utmost satisfaction with their outstanding assistance. Throughout the entire journey, they exhibited remarkable professionalism, consistently going above and beyond to ensure a seamless experience. Melissa and Brad's unwavering availability for communication and support was truly commendable, and their in-depth knowledge of the remortgaging landscape, particularly within the expertise of Propp, was evident. They effortlessly navigated the complexities involved, effectively addressing any concerns or queries that arose. Their exceptional communication skills, coupled with their ability to simplify complex concepts, made the entire process approachable and comprehensible. I wholeheartedly recommend Melissa and Brad from Propp to anyone seeking expert guidance and support in the realm of remortgaging, as their expertise and dedication truly set them apart.

    Read More
  • Brilliant Team!

    Brad and Harriet were proactively brilliant updating me through out the process and even going an extra mile chasing on my behalf where things seemed to have stalled. I will recommend without doubt!

    Read More
  • Brad and Megan made the process really easy.

    Will definitely be contacting them both on future financing needs. Propp is great highly recommend!

    Read More
Write a review
B&C Awards 2022
Commercial Broker Awards 2022
The British Specialist Lending Award 2022
Commercial Broker Awards 2022
Mortgage Strategy Award 2022
B&C Awards 2023
B&C Awards 2024
B&C Awards 2024

* bespoke quotes supplied the next working day following provision of all required lender information being supplied and validation by Propp case manager

† saving based on annualised interest rate saving where deal optimiser service negotiated a lower rate than lender’s published rate, based on current average saving of 0.9% and average loan £1051785. Time saving based on automated versus manual bespoke rate requests.

The solutions above refer to unregulated products only. Should you require a regulated loan please contact us. As a mortgage is secured against your property it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments. Commercial mortgages and some forms of bridging, development and buy to let finance are not regulated by the financial conduct authority.