Property Finance
Commercial Property Finance Across All Asset Classes
Finance for commercial property acquisition, refinance and repositioning — offices, retail, industrial, mixed-use and specialist assets. Structured to match asset profile and investment strategy.
Typical deal size: Typically £100k – £15m
Overview
Commercial property finance encompasses a broad range of asset types, lending structures and lender appetites. The commercial property market includes offices, retail units, industrial premises, warehousing, mixed-use buildings and specialist assets such as care homes, medical centres and educational facilities. Lender appetite varies significantly by asset class, location, tenant quality, lease terms and borrower profile. We position commercial property cases with lenders whose specific criteria align with the asset and the borrower, ensuring the best possible outcome in terms of LTV, rate and overall structure.
Key Benefits
Asset Class Expertise
Deep understanding of how lenders assess different commercial asset types — from standard office and industrial to specialist sectors. We know which lenders have appetite for which asset classes and present accordingly.
Portfolio Structuring
Ability to structure finance for individual assets or entire portfolios, including cross-collateralisation, portfolio refinance and lender consolidation where appropriate.
Tenant & Lease Analysis
We present tenant covenant strength, lease terms and income profiles in a way that aligns with how commercial lenders underwrite — maximising the available LTV and terms.
Specialist Lender Access
Relationships with challenger banks, private lenders and specialist commercial funders who often offer better terms than high street banks for the right assets.
Common Scenarios
Commercial Acquisition
Debt funding for the purchase of commercial property — offices, retail, industrial, warehousing or specialist assets. Structured around rental income and asset quality.
Portfolio Refinance
Refinancing an existing commercial portfolio to improved terms, consolidating multiple lenders or releasing equity for further investment.
Mixed-Use Property
Finance for properties with both commercial and residential elements, where the lending assessment must account for multiple income streams.
Vacant or Refurbishment Opportunities
Funding for commercial properties that are currently vacant or require refurbishment, where the lending case is built around the post-works value and income.
Lender Considerations
How commercial property lenders assess cases
Commercial lenders focus on rental income sustainability, tenant covenant strength, unexpired lease terms, location quality, asset condition and the borrower's track record. Debt service coverage ratios and interest cover ratios are central to the assessment. Strong tenants on long leases with upward-only rent reviews significantly improve available terms.
Why asset class matters
Lender appetite varies enormously by asset class. Prime office space in a strong location may achieve 75% LTV, while a secondary retail unit might be limited to 55–60%. Industrial and logistics assets currently benefit from strong lender appetite. Understanding these dynamics allows us to position cases with the right lenders from the outset.
How It Works
Asset & Income Assessment
We assess the property, rental income, tenant profile and your investment objectives to determine the optimal lending structure.
Lender Positioning
We identify lenders with genuine appetite for your specific asset class, location and borrower profile, and prepare a structured lending proposition.
Application & Valuation
We manage the full application process, coordinate the commercial valuation and respond to lender queries throughout.
Legal Completion
We work with your solicitors and the lender's legal team to ensure smooth completion within your required timescales.
What Lenders Want to See
Full tenant schedule showing all occupiers, rent levels, payment history and any arrears or concessions currently in place
Lease terms including unexpired term, break clauses, rent review mechanisms and any tenant options that affect income security
Verified rental income with bank statements or accountant confirmation demonstrating consistent rent collection
Property condition report or recent survey confirming the asset does not require significant capital expenditure
Borrower experience and track record in commercial property ownership or management
Debt service coverage projections showing rental income comfortably covers the proposed debt payments under stress-tested scenarios
Details of any service charge arrangements, management structure and building insurance
Common Reasons Applications Fail
Tenant covenant too weak — lenders require confidence that tenants can sustain rent payments through economic cycles
Lease terms too short — many lenders require a minimum unexpired lease term, often 3–5 years, to provide income certainty
Asset class outside lender appetite — secondary retail, leisure and certain specialist assets face restricted lender appetite
Insufficient debt service coverage — rental income does not provide adequate headroom above the proposed mortgage payments
Property condition concerns — significant deferred maintenance or required capital expenditure that affects the asset value
Location risk — properties in areas with weak occupier demand or declining rental values may not meet lender criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
LTV for commercial property typically ranges from 60–75%, depending on the asset class, tenant quality, lease terms and lender appetite. Prime assets with strong tenants on long leases may achieve higher LTV than secondary assets or those with short unexpired lease terms. We assess the realistic LTV range before approaching lenders.
Yes, though the available terms will differ from a fully tenanted asset. Lenders assess vacant commercial property based on the realistic rental value, the borrower's plan for the asset and the level of equity available. Some specialist lenders have specific products for vacant or partially let commercial property.
Commercial property finance typically takes 6–12 weeks from application to completion, depending on complexity, valuation timescales and legal requirements. Straightforward cases with clean title and strong tenants can sometimes complete faster, subject to lender and legal capacity.
Yes. Mixed-use properties are assessed by lenders who consider both income streams. The lending approach depends on the split between commercial and residential elements — some lenders treat the whole property as commercial, others split the assessment. We identify lenders whose criteria best accommodate your specific mixed-use configuration.
Yes, multi-let commercial properties are widely financed, though lenders assess the weighted average unexpired lease term (WAULT) and the overall income profile rather than individual leases in isolation. A diversified tenant base can be viewed positively as it reduces single-tenant risk, subject to overall covenant quality.
Ideal For
- Commercial property investors acquiring or refinancing assets
- Property companies with single assets or portfolios
- Owner-occupiers purchasing commercial premises
- Investors acquiring mixed-use or specialist commercial assets
May Not Be Suitable For
- Residential buy-to-let without a commercial element
- Speculative land purchases without planning consent
- Properties with significant structural issues requiring development-level funding
Ready to Discuss?
If your commercial property finance requirement is complex or strategic, speak to CC Finance.
Related Calculators
All finance is subject to status, lender criteria and individual circumstances. Deal sizes shown are indicative of typical transactions.
Discuss a Commercial Property Finance Requirement
Submit your finance scenario and we will assess how we can help.