Commercial Mortgage Process & Criteria
When you apply for a commercial mortgage, the application process can seem complicated and if you’re not prepared, it can cause significant delays.
As such, it’s important that you understand how the application process works, the key lending criteria and how you can speed up your application.
At ABC Finance work with you to ensure the process runs smoothly and we keep you updated every step of the way, to make sure you always know the latest on your application.
To find out more about how we work, read our commercial mortgage case studies.
The commercial mortgage application process
Find out how the commercial mortgage application process works below:
| 1 | Talk through your needs with one of our commercial mortgage experts, who will discuss the project and assess the application. |
| 2 | Assuming the application is viable, you will then receive a quote in writing detailing the interest rate, fees and headline borrowing terms, along with what documents are required to submit a full application. |
| 3 | The forms will be completed and submitted to the lender alongside a comprehensive report on the project. |
| 4 | If the lender is happy with the application so far they may want to meet you. At this point, we would arrange the meeting for you at a time and place convenient to you. |
| 5 | Once comfortable, the lending manager will take your application to the credit committee. These are the underwriters who sign off the application as acceptable to the lender. After approval, the lender will issue the formal offer, subject to valuation and legal work. |
| 6 | Your formal offer will be issued. |
| 7 | A surveyor is instructed to compile a valuation report on the property. It will be comprehensive and may take longer than a residential valuation to complete, although we always push to speed this up for you. |
| 8 | Your solicitor is instructed to carry out the legal work and satisfy all conditions. They will run through the terms of the agreement and ensure you fully understand the loan. Once satisfied, you will sign the formal offer and return it to the lender. It is important that your solicitor is familiar with the commercial mortgage process as inexperience here can slow progress significantly. |
| 9 | Once this is done, the funds can be released, and the loan completed. |
Understanding commercial mortgages
Commercial mortgages are a form of long-term property finance that is used to purchase or refinance commercial and semi-commercial property.
Commercial mortgages work in much the same way as a residential mortgage, although there are some differences.
The key differences are how the applications are assessed, lending criteria, the application process and documents required to apply.
How can I speed up the process?
The key is to ensure that you spend additional time in producing the application pack upfront. Although we will let you know the documents that we require, any further detail about positive future changes in your financial position or anticipated trading will help.
Providing full detail upfront and responding quickly to requests is the best way to speed up your application.
Full detail, but also, importantly ensuring that all required documents are provided upfront to ensure your lender is able to easily underwrite your lending application.
Criteria
We offer commercial mortgages from lenders across the whole market to find the most suitable product for you.
Each lender has their own criteria, but may even be able to step outside their predetermined must-haves under certain circumstances. The below information is intended as a guide to let you know what our lenders from across the commercial mortgage market are looking for.
Loan sizes
Borrowing from £25,000 – no maximum loan size.
We are able to offer bespoke terms for large commercial mortgages.
Term
5 years – 30 years.
Acceptable security
We can consider any type of commercial property, and can even consider predominantly residential property or land as security. We are happy to consider any security, including:
- Offices
- Land
- Professional practices
- Care homes
- Pubs and bars
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Guest houses
- Retail premises
- Business parks
- Warehouses
- Factories
- HMOs
- Semi-commercial units
Acceptable borrowers
We can lend to the following ownership structures:
- Individuals
- Offshore companies
- Partnerships
- Limited companies
- LLP / other company structures
- Expats
- Pension funds (where the pension fund is allowed to borrow money)
We can lend to borrowers from 18 years of age, and most lenders will fund clients to the age of 75. If you’re looking to borrow beyond this term, we may still be able to help, and an adviser will be able to inform you of your options over the phone.
Locations
We are able to arrange commercial mortgages across the UK, with no geographical restrictions.
Credit history
Credit history is a key factor in many lenders credit decisions. Although most lenders prefer clean credit, we can fund clients with any level of adverse credit, as long as you are not currently bankrupt.
As the level of adverse credit increases, interest rates and loan to value (LTV) may be affected.
We even offer a range of bad credit commercial mortgages for adverse credit borrowers.
Income evidence
For owner occupied applications, two years accounts are usually required. We have lenders who are willing to accept accountants’ certificates or projections in lieu, where appropriate.
Repayment method
Interest only or capital repayment available.
Lease length
Some commercial investment mortgage lenders require the lease to extend beyond the term of the loan. This is not the case with all lenders and your loan may still be acceptable with a short, or even rolling lease.
Lender meetings
Some (but not all) lenders arrange a meeting before taking your loan to formal offer. There are three main aims of the meeting:
- To get to know you personally
- To allow the person handling the application to understand exactly what you’re trying to achieve.
- To understand your business
A lender meeting is nothing to worry about, as long as you’ve adequately prepared.
Ultimately, the lender is simply looking to gain an understanding of the application so they can properly present your application to their credit committee.
