A practical guide for company directors and property investors
Yes. A UK company can often borrow to buy or refinance business premises, commercial investment property, semi-commercial property or property held in a company structure. The route depends on the company, the directors, the property and the income that will support the loan.
Quick answer for directors: a limited company, SPV, trading business or property investment company may be able to get a mortgage. Lenders usually assess company accounts, rental or trading income, director experience, credit profile, deposit source, property type, valuation, lease strength and repayment route.
If you are unsure whether the case is ready for lenders, start with an outline review before paying for valuations, legal work or repeated applications.
What kind of mortgage can a company get?
The right route depends on what the company owns or wants to buy. Lenders will first ask how the property will be used and how the loan will be repaid.
Buying premises for the business
A company may buy an office, warehouse, shop, surgery, factory, restaurant, pub or other premises used by the business. Lenders focus on affordability, accounts and sector strength.
Buying property to let
A company may buy commercial or mixed-use property let to tenants. Rental income, lease terms, tenant quality and property saleability become central to the case.
Replacing or restructuring borrowing
A company may refinance to change lender, raise capital, improve structure or exit short-term finance. Equity, valuation and purpose of funds matter.
Related routes worth checking
Cases that need careful lender selection
- New companies or SPVs with limited accounts.
- Specialist properties, short leases or unusual sectors.
- Low deposit, complex ownership or historic credit issues.
- Urgent completions where evidence must be prepared quickly.
Who is the borrower: the company or the directors?
With a company mortgage, the borrower is usually the company. That does not mean the directors are ignored. Lenders commonly look at the people behind the business because the directors control the company, manage the property strategy and may be asked for personal guarantees.
A lender may review director experience, personal credit history, income outside the company, previous property ownership, personal guarantees and the source of deposit. This is especially likely where the company is new, has limited accounts or is using a special purpose vehicle for property investment.
What lenders check before offering a company mortgage
A strong company mortgage enquiry is usually built around four areas: the company, the property, the numbers and the people behind the business.
Can a new company get a mortgage?
Sometimes, yes. A new limited company or SPV may still be considered, particularly where the directors have relevant experience, the deposit is strong and the property makes sense. The case is usually harder if the company has no accounts, the directors are inexperienced, the property is unusual or the loan relies on optimistic projections.
For a new property company, lenders may place more weight on the asset, rental income, lease quality and director background. For a new trading business, they may want a credible business plan, management experience, cashflow forecasts and evidence that repayments are realistic.
How much deposit does a company need?
Company mortgage deposits vary by lender, property type and risk. Commercial property borrowing often needs a larger deposit than a standard residential mortgage. Some cases may work with a lower deposit where the property, income and borrower profile are strong, but specialist properties, weak accounts or higher-risk sectors may need more equity.
The lender will consider the loan-to-value, the strength of rental or trading income, property valuation, sector, lease terms, repayment method and the company’s wider financial position. For a deeper explanation, read our guide to commercial mortgage deposit requirements.
What documents should a company prepare?
You do not need every document ready before asking for an initial view, but the more precise the information, the more useful the response can be. Use the commercial mortgage document checklist to organise the likely evidence.
Company and director evidence
- Company name, registration details and ownership structure.
- Latest accounts, management accounts or accountant-prepared figures.
- Recent business bank statements.
- Director details, relevant experience and known credit issues.
Property and borrowing evidence
- Property address, use, purchase price or estimated value.
- Current or expected rental income, lease details and tenant information.
- Deposit source, existing equity and connected borrowing.
- Loan amount, timescale, deadline and reason for borrowing.
Limited company mortgage vs personal mortgage
A company mortgage is not just a personal mortgage with the company name added. The lender, legal work, valuation, evidence and underwriting can all be different.
| Question | Company mortgage | Personal mortgage |
|---|---|---|
| Who borrows? | The company, often with director involvement or guarantees. | The individual borrowers. |
| What supports the loan? | Business profit, rental income, company assets and property value. | Personal income, credit profile and residential affordability. |
| What is assessed? | The company, directors, property, sector and exit route. | The applicants, income, commitments and residential property. |
| What can slow the case? | Company structure, lease issues, specialist property, accounts or valuation concerns. | Income evidence, credit profile, deposit source or property valuation. |
When might a company mortgage be difficult?
A company mortgage can still be possible when the case is complex, but the lender choice becomes more important. Common issues include short trading history, inconsistent accounts, adverse credit, low deposit, specialist property, short leases, weak rental cover, unusual company structures or pressure to complete quickly.
If the company has already been declined by a bank, the next step is not always to apply again immediately. It is better to understand why the decline happened and whether the issue was affordability, property type, sector appetite, credit profile, valuation, lease strength or missing evidence.
Ask for a company mortgage review
Share the company structure, property type, purchase price or value, loan amount, deposit or equity, income evidence and deadline. We will explain what lenders are likely to ask and whether the case looks ready to progress.
- Useful for directors before applying.
- Helpful if a bank has already declined the case.
- Clear next steps for trading businesses and property companies.
Should a company buy, lease or refinance?
A mortgage is not automatically the best answer. Some companies buy premises to control long-term costs, build an asset or avoid relying on a landlord. Others lease because they want flexibility, lower upfront commitment or freedom to move as the business grows.
Before committing, directors should consider cashflow, tax, legal structure, future plans, property condition, exit options and whether tying up capital in a building could restrict the business. Mortgage advice, legal advice and tax advice each cover different parts of the decision.
How Count Ready helps directors prepare
Review the aim
We clarify whether the company is buying, refinancing, raising capital or comparing routes.
Check the fit
We look at property type, company position, deposit, equity, income and any obvious lender concerns.
Prepare evidence
We explain which documents are likely to strengthen the enquiry before a full application.
Discuss protection
Where relevant, we can also discuss commercial property insurance requirements, business loan protection or related cover.
Check the company evidence against trusted UK guidance
A company mortgage is easier to assess when the borrower, property purpose and supporting figures are clear. These independent sources help directors prepare the right questions before committing to an application, valuation or legal work.
Choose the correct mortgage route
The British Business Bank commercial property finance guide distinguishes owner-occupied and commercial investment mortgages and explains other funding routes and purchase costs.
Prepare accounts and cashflow
Business.gov.uk funding-application guidance covers accounts, bank statements, debts and cashflow forecasts. GOV.UK also explains what a private company’s statutory accounts contain.
Confirm the position for the borrower
The FCA mortgage perimeter guidance explains how borrower type, property use and security affect regulation. Consumers can also check a firm and its permissions with the FCA.
Last reviewed: . Lender criteria, evidence requirements and the regulatory position can change; confirm what applies to the company and property before proceeding.
Company mortgage FAQs
Can a limited company get a mortgage?
Yes. A limited company may be able to get a mortgage for business premises, commercial investment property, semi-commercial property or property held in a company structure. The lender will assess the company, directors, property and repayment route.
Will directors need to give a personal guarantee?
Often, yes, but it depends on the lender, loan size, company strength and security. A personal guarantee means the directors may remain personally responsible if the company does not meet the agreed obligations, so legal advice is important.
Can a company buy residential property with a mortgage?
Yes, some companies buy residential investment property, often through a limited company buy-to-let or specialist property company structure. That is different from buying trading premises or commercial property, so lender criteria and tax considerations should be checked carefully.
Can a company get an interest-only mortgage?
Some company mortgages may be available on an interest-only basis, especially where the lender is comfortable with the security, income and exit plan. Other cases may need capital repayment or a structured repayment route.
How long does a company mortgage take?
Timescales vary. Straightforward cases can move more quickly, but valuation, legal work, lease reviews, company structure, lender underwriting and missing evidence can all affect timing. If there is a deadline, raise it at the start.
What is the first step for a company mortgage?
Start with the basics: company name, property type, purchase price or value, loan amount, deposit or equity, current income and deadline. Count Ready can then explain what lender questions are likely to matter most.