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You may need to take out a commercial mortgage to buy premises to start or expand your business, or if you are buying a business that is directly linked to property eg a hotel or retail outlet. Mortgages usually last for 15 years or more and the property itself will be at risk if payments are not made on time.

Meeting the lender's criteria

Most banks and building societies offer commercial mortgages, but you must satisfy their criteria. Most lenders require a positive personal credit rating and clear evidence that your business is creditworthy, although some lenders may accept applications where there is an adverse credit history.

Most lenders will apply a loan-to-value ratio and will expect you to invest a proportion of your own money in the purchase. The more you are willing to invest of your own money, the greater the chance you will have of securing a loan for the remainder.

The loan-to-value ratio is the loan amount divided by the current market value of the property expressed as a percentage. If a property has a current value of 拢200,000 and a loan is required for 拢150,000, the loan-to-value ratio is 75%.

The lender's decision will also depend on your current business circumstances - a commercial lender will expect your business to be stable and profitable. They may ask to see your business plan and long-term financial projections, to assure themselves that your business has, and will continue to have, the ability to make repayments on the loan.

See what commercial mortgage lenders need to know.

Some lenders may impose restrictions on the uses of commercial premises. You will need to consider carefully all the terms of any lending agreement, particularly as the loan period may be for 15 years or more. This is a complex area and it's essential that you seek specialist advice from your solicitor.

Buying commercial premises can be a good investment - owning a property gives your business stability and the property itself can become a significant asset. However, it is a major step and before you commit to a mortgage, it is important to think carefully about the pros and cons.

Advantages of buying business premises

There are considerable advantages to securing a mortgage to buy business premises, including:

• your mortgage repayment is likely to be similar to or less than a rental payment on the same property
• with a fixed rate mortgage, your monthly repayments will be predictable
• you aren't exposed to any sudden, large rent increases
• you may be able to sublet any free space, reducing your monthly repayments (you may require permission from your lender to do so) and allowing you to generate extra income
• interest payments on a commercial mortgage are tax-deductible
• any gain in value of the property will increase your capital
• as your business grows, you may be able to extend your existing premises, avoiding relocation costs
• you have control over what alterations you want to make to your office space

Disadvantages of buying business premises

The disadvantages of buying business premises include the following:

• Unlike renting, you'll need to come up with a substantial mortgage deposit - this is money that might be used for more important business purposes.
• If you own premises, you may find it harder to relocate your business, because selling business premises is a complex and sometimes lengthy process. If you rent, you may be able to negotiate to end your rental agreement, or to find another organisation to take over your tenancy at short-notice.
• If you have a variable rate mortgage, you are exposed to increases in interest rates.
• Owning a property means you'll be responsible for factors such as maintenance, fixtures and fittings, insurance, decoration and security, which can prove expensive.
• Any fall in the value of the property will decrease your capital.

Any mortgage lender will want to be sure that your business is on a sound financial footing before agreeing to a commercial mortgage.

A lender's main concerns are that:

• you will be able to repay the money
• the property is worth enough to cover the amount borrowed if you default

Set an upper limit of what your business can afford to repay every month. Don't be tempted to over-borrow - doing so could deny your business the cashflow it will need to grow. Do not overestimate the value of a property. A lender will almost certainly appoint a surveyor or property appraiser to inspect and value the premises.

Financial details

You will be asked to provide information about your business' financial performance, which will probably include:

• audited accounts for the last two years
• indications of current performance
• a profit-and-loss forecast for the next year
• business bank statements for the previous six months
• identification of each partner or director in your business for credit-checking
• asset and liability statements for each applicant
• a business plan showing how the property will contribute to your cashflow and how you intend to repay the loan

If you are buying a business and property combined, it is likely you will need to supply the lender with additional information, such as:

• why the business is being sold
• projections on how the business is expected to grow
• details of any personal investment there might be
• credit status of the business

Bear in mind that you will almost certainly need to find a deposit - normally at least 25 per cent of the purchase price of the property. However, depending on the availability of security or other factors, some lenders may be more flexible.

High street banks and building societies are not necessarily the best places to start looking for a commercial mortgage, although major banks often have advisory services which can be helpful. If you have a good relationship with your bank, it is worth checking to see if they can help you.

It may be worthwhile locating a specialist lender who understands the specific needs of your industry. There are also many lenders online. Be careful which one you choose and ensure that they are certified.

Using a mortgage broker

A mortgage broker's role is to help you to find the best mortgage to suit your needs, giving you impartial advice on products and steering you through the mortgage application process. Once you have successfully obtained your mortgage, your broker will be willing to continue to monitor the market to make sure you are getting the best deal.

It's important - particularly for small businesses - to get the right kind of finance at the best price. Many commercial brokers work in specific business sectors and someone working in your sector might be able to help find you a special deal.

Using a broker can save you a lot of time, as they have specialist market knowledge and will be able to find certain deals that are only available through brokers. They may not charge you a fee if they receive commission from the loan providers, but be willing to negotiate if they do.

Check that your broker is independent - instead of being tied to just one lender - and will consider all the available options.

If you decide to arrange your own mortgage, rather than using a broker, there are various options, such as talking to business contacts, your own bank, financial advisers or your accountant.

The internet offers access to hundreds of lenders who offer instant quotes and advice. If you are happy with a quote you find online, it is recommended that you telephone the lender in person before signing up - you may find you can get an even better deal and can also confirm details.

You may prefer to discuss your needs with potential lenders in person - talk to your own banker as well as an adviser at major banks and building societies which provide commercial mortgages.

You could seek specialist advice on what sort of mortgage will be best for you. 

Commercial mortgages may carry higher interest rates than residential loans because you are considered a higher risk - particularly if your deposit is lower than 25%. The term of the loan will be at the discretion of the lender and is typically between 15 and 25 years.

Interest rates

There are two interest rate options - variable or fixed. You should be prepared to shop around and negotiate for the best deal.

Most commercial mortgage schemes have variable rates and will fluctuate in line with the Bank of England base rate. Your repayments may rise or fall and you should budget accordingly.

A fixed rate means your repayments are fixed for a certain period of time, usually two to five years. At the time when the rate is fixed, it will usually be higher than the variable rate, but it will allow you to plan your budget more reliably. At the end of the fixed rate period the rate may change to a market variable rate or you may have the right to renegotiate the loan.

Repayment methods

Different kinds of mortgages are repaid in different ways. With a repayment mortgage - sometimes called a capital and interest mortgage - you repay a portion of the loan and the accrued interest each month.

An interest-only mortgage means only the interest on the debt is paid off with each monthly payment. To be eligible, you may need to have an accompanying insurance or pension policy that will mature at a value close to the outstanding lump sum. You will certainly need to show that you will have the means to pay off the loan at the end of the term.

You should seek advice from a suitably qualified financial adviser before committing to a mortgage that relies on the proceeds of an investment or a pension to repay the loan. If you have an existing product, such as an endowment mortgage, you should also seek regular financial advice due to changes in the stock markets.

Interest rates vary according to the lender and the repayment options you choose.

Other fees and costs include:

• Arrangement or processing fees - these are fees that your lender charges for arranging your mortgage. A typical fee might be in the region of 0.5% to 2.75% of the loan and is usually negotiable.
• Valuation fee - this is the fee charged by the lender for carrying out the valuation of the property and can vary according to the lender. Further costs are incurred if the lender insists upon a full structural survey to establish the valuation.
• Redemption penalty - if you pay off your mortgage early, you may have to pay an additional amount, which is also known as an early repayment penalty. This is usually applicable in the first three to five years of the mortgage, although it can sometimes apply after that.
• Legal and professional fees - these can include insurance, site surveys and preparation of legal documents.

There are certain other factors you should be aware of:

• Minimum level for the loan - commercial mortgages are usually only given for substantial amounts, with higher sums in other circumstances depending on the value of your property and the nature of your business.
• Period of grace - some lenders are flexible about late payments, underpayments or payment holidays - but you may incur increased interest charges.
• Personal guarantee - if you run a limited company, the bank may ask you for a personal guarantee as additional security, especially if the amount of cash you are investing is limited.

For further information, see repaying a commercial mortgage.