Commercial property finance
Finance for offices, retail units, warehouses and other commercial property, for owner-occupiers and investors.
- Free initial conversation
- Lenders compared for you
- +971 4 871 4341
- Lender-specificTypical financeOften lower than residential; depends on property and borrower
- Business & rentAssessment focusCompany financials and the property’s income
- Person or companyBorrowerCompany borrowers may need personal guarantees
- Office · retail · warehouseProperty typesNot every lender finances every type
These are general points, not fixed terms. Each lender assesses commercial property and its borrower individually, and we confirm what applies to your case.
Commercial property finance: everything you need to know
Finance for offices, retail units, warehouses and mixed-use property — for businesses buying their premises and investors. 2 min read
Overview
Commercial property finance funds the purchase or refinance of non-residential property. Lenders assess the business or investor behind the loan as much as the property itself, and terms vary much more between banks than for home loans.
Owner-occupied or investment
- Owner-occupied: a business buying premises it will use. The company’s trading performance and cash flow drive the decision.
- Investment: buying property to let. The tenancy, rental income and tenant quality carry more weight.
Typical terms
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Loan-to-value | Lender-specific; usually lower than residential |
| Term | Often shorter than residential mortgages |
| Borrower | Individual or company; guarantees often required |
| Pricing | Usually EIBOR plus a margin reflecting risk |
What lenders ask for
- Trade licence, memorandum of association and shareholder details
- Two to three years of audited financial statements
- Twelve months of company bank statements
- Tenancy contracts and rental history (investment property)
- Passports and Emirates IDs of shareholders and guarantors
Step by step
- 1Scope the deal
Property type, price, use and your business or rental income.
- 2Match lenders
We approach lenders active in that property type and structure.
- 3Credit assessment
The bank reviews financials, the property and any guarantees.
- 4Valuation, offer and registration
Valuation, facility letter, legal steps and DLD 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.
- 1Business owners buying their own premises
- 2Investors buying income-producing commercial property
- 3Companies refinancing an existing commercial facility
Worth knowing
Commercial terms vary widely between lenders and property types.
Lenders may require company documents and personal guarantees.
What to consider first
- 01
Match the property to the right lender
Lenders have different appetites for offices, retail units, warehouses and mixed-use buildings, and for owner-occupied versus investment property.
- 02
Prepare the business case
Expect to show audited accounts, bank statements and, for investments, tenancy contracts and rental income.
- 03
Structure repayment carefully
Term, deposit and repayment profile vary widely; plan how the facility will be repaid from business or rental income.
Documents lenders usually ask for
You don’t need any of these to make an enquiry. We’ll confirm exactly what your lender needs.
- Trade licence, memorandum of association and shareholder documents
- Two to three years of audited financial statements
- Twelve months of company bank statements
- Passports and Emirates IDs of shareholders and guarantors
- For investment property: tenancy contracts and rent records
Often, yes. Lenders will usually ask for company documents and financial statements, and may require personal guarantees.
It depends on the property’s location and ownership rules, and on lender policy. We check eligibility before you commit.
Both exist, but most are variable, priced as EIBOR plus a margin.
Some lenders do, usually assessing the residential and commercial parts separately.
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.