Building finance
Finance for buying or refinancing a completed building, such as an investment block or a commercial building. It is separate from construction funding, which pays for building work.
- Free initial conversation
- Lenders compared for you
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- CompletedProperty stageThe building already exists and can be valued
- Buy or refinanceTypical purposeNot for building work (see Construction finance)
- Case by caseAssessmentValue, condition, use, title and any rental income
- Lender-specificLoan termsDeposit, term and rate depend on the lender and the building
These are general points about how lenders approach completed buildings, not fixed rules or terms. Each lender assesses the building and the borrower individually, and we confirm what applies to your case.
Building finance: everything you need to know
Finance for buying or refinancing a completed building: what it covers, how it differs from construction funding and what lenders usually look at. 2 min read
Overview
Building finance is for a building that is already complete. It can help you buy a whole building, such as an investment block or a commercial building, or refinance one you already own. It is a specialist form of commercial property finance.
What lenders usually look at
- The building: its location, use, condition and title
- Any tenancy contracts and the rental income they produce
- The borrower: an individual or a company, and the financial evidence behind them
- The valuation the lender commissions
There is no single approach. Lenders assess each building on its own merits, and terms vary with the property and the borrower.
Buying or refinancing
When buying, the lender looks at the purchase and your contribution. When refinancing, it looks at the building you already own, the existing facility and what you want to change. In both cases the building’s value and income matter.
Step by step
- 1Share the building
Tell us what it is, how it is used and whether you are buying or refinancing.
- 2Compare lender options
We identify lenders that may consider the building and explain the trade-offs.
- 3Prepare the application
We help you assemble the property, company and income documents.
- 4Valuation and offer
The lender values the building and decides. We coordinate the legal steps and registration.
Is this the right route for you?
If one of these sounds like you, this service is a good starting point. If not, we will point you to the option that fits.
- 1Investors buying a completed building to let
- 2Owners or businesses refinancing a building they already hold
- 3Buyers acquiring a whole building rather than a single unit
Worth knowing
A completed building is assessed on its value, condition, use and income. Lenders decide case by case.
This is not construction finance. It does not fund building work; for a new build, see Construction finance.
What to consider first
- 01
Be clear on what you are financing
A whole building, an investment block or a mixed-use property is assessed differently from a single unit. Know the title, the use and any tenants before you start.
- 02
Gather the income picture
Lenders usually want evidence that supports the facility: rental income and tenancy contracts for an investment, or company accounts for an owner-occupier.
- 03
Keep it separate from construction funding
If building work is still to be done, that is construction finance. A completed building is bought or refinanced through building finance.
Documents lenders usually ask for
You don’t need any of these to make an enquiry. We’ll confirm exactly what your lender needs.
- Title deed or sale agreement for the building
- Valuation report, if you already have one
- Tenancy contracts and a rent roll, if the building is let
- Trade licence and company documents, if a company is borrowing
- Two to three years of financial statements
- Passports and Emirates IDs of the owners and signatories
Building finance is for a building that is already complete, to buy it or refinance it. Construction finance funds building work, usually released in stages as the work progresses.
Either can apply. Lenders look at the borrower’s financial evidence and may ask for company documents or personal guarantees.
Often, yes. Lenders usually want to see the tenancy contracts and the rental income they produce.
No. The initial conversation is free and does not commit you to anything. Any fees that apply later are explained before you decide to proceed.
No. A pre-approval is issued by the bank after an initial assessment and is conditional. A final offer depends on the property, its valuation and the lender’s full review.