Mortgages
Commercial property mortgage
Offices, retail units and warehouses, bought in your own name or through your company. Commercial lending has different rules from home loans and fewer banks offer it. We know which ones are active and what they want to see.
How commercial lending differs
Expect to put down a larger deposit, often 40% to 50%, and to repay over a shorter term than a home loan. Rates are usually higher too. If the unit is already let, banks look at the tenancy and the rent as part of the approval.
If you buy through a company, the bank reviews the company's accounts and bank statements, and usually asks for a personal guarantee from the owners.
Owner-occupied or investment
Buying an office for your own business can be cheaper over time than renting one. If that is the plan, we compare your current rent with the mortgage payment, service charges and the deposit you would tie up.
Documents to have ready
What we usually ask for
- Passport, residence visa and Emirates ID
- Trade licence and memorandum of association (most banks want 2+ years trading)
- 6 to 12 months of personal and company bank statements
- Audited financial statements for the last 2 years
- Company profile and main client contracts, if the bank asks
Banks can ask for more depending on your case. We send you a checklist for your specific bank once we know which one fits.
Questions about commercial
Can I buy a commercial property in my own name?
Yes, in freehold areas. Some buyers use a company for liability or tax reasons, which changes the documents the bank needs.
Is commercial finance available as Islamic finance?
Yes. Several Islamic banks offer commercial property finance under Ijara or similar structures.
Find out what the banks will offer you
Two minutes of questions, then a broker comes back to you with the banks that fit and what they are likely to lend.