Semi-Commercial Mortgages

Semi-Commercial Mortgages – Flexible Finance for Mixed-Use Property

If you’re buying or refinancing a mixed-use property—like a shop with flats above or an office with residential space—standard buy-to-let lenders usually won’t touch it. That’s where a semi-commercial mortgage comes in.

At Mortgage Knight, we specialise in arranging mortgages for semi-commercial properties. Whether you’re an investor, landlord, business owner or SPV looking to diversify your portfolio, we work with lenders who understand the blend of residential and commercial income.

What Is a Semi-Commercial Mortgage?

A semi-commercial mortgage (also known as a mixed-use mortgage) is designed for properties that combine both residential and commercial units under one freehold.

Examples include:

  • Shops with flats above
  • Offices with residential accommodation attached
  • Takeaways, salons, or cafés with living space upstairs
  • Pubs or restaurants with landlord or staff accommodation
  • Doctor’s surgeries or dental clinics with attached residences

These properties often offer strong rental yield and diverse income, but need specialist lenders to fund.

Who Are Semi-Commercial Mortgages For?

We help:

  • Property investors looking to diversify
  • Landlords adding mixed-use units to their portfolio
  • Business owners buying their trading premises
  • SPVs and limited companies acquiring mixed-use assets
  • Investors refinancing to raise capital or restructure borrowing
  • Clients with poor credit or non-standard income

We also help with land purchases and developments—just ask.

Why Choose a Semi-Commercial Property?
  • Higher rental yield compared to pure residential
  • Longer lease potential on commercial units
  • Less affected by Section 24 tax restrictions
  • May qualify for multiple streams of income
  • Attractive to tenants, professionals, and small businesses
  • Can often be converted, extended or restructured for added value
Key Features of Semi-Commercial Mortgages
Feature Typical Terms
Loan size £50,000 – £5 million+
Deposit required 25–35% (based on value or purchase price)
Ownership Personal or Limited Company (SPV)
Accepted property types Retail + flats, takeaways, surgeries, salons, etc.
Tenancy types ASTs, commercial leases, mixed-use income
Repayment options Interest-only or capital repayment
Term length 5–30 years
Minimum income Often not required – based on property income

Why Choose Mortgage Knight for Semi-Commercial Mortgages?

  • Specialist lender access across commercial, BTL, and mixed-use markets
  • Expertise in SPV structures, licensing, and lease underwriting
  • Support for complex cases including poor credit or non-standard property types
  • Fast turnaround times and direct access to decision-makers
  • Clear, honest advice tailored to your strategy
Case Study 1: Shop with Two Flats Above

Status: Jay was purchasing a freehold building with a ground-floor convenience store and two rented flats above.

Challenge: His bank declined the mortgage due to the commercial element.

Solution: We secured a 75% LTV semi-commercial mortgage with a lender who accepted mixed-use income and a newly signed 10-year lease for the shop.

Outcome: Jay completed in 5 weeks and achieved a 9% gross yield.

Case Study 2: Limited Company Refinance

Status: Anna released over £80,000 in equity and secured a new purchase in just 3 months.

Solution: We arranged a £320,000 mortgage at 70% LTV, based on combined residential and commercial income.

Outcome: Anna released over £80,000 in equity and secured a new purchase in just 3 months.

Case Study 3: Business Owner Buying Premises

Status: Claire ran a beauty salon from a rented unit with a flat above and had the chance to buy the freehold.

Solution: We arranged an owner-occupier semi-commercial mortgage that covered both her business and the rental element.

Outcome: Claire now owns her premises, collects rent from the flat above, and secured a lower monthly cost than her old rent.

Need Finance for a Mixed-Use Property?

If you’re buying or refinancing a semi-commercial property, you need a mortgage broker who understands both sides of the deal—residential and commercial.

Speak to Mortgage Knight today for tailored, fast and expert support on your next project.

Take the Next Step with Confidence

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Any building that combines commercial and residential use—like a shop with flats, or a doctor’s surgery with a flat attached.

A: Yes. Many semi-commercial investors use SPVs for tax efficiency. We work with lenders who accept company ownership.

A: It helps—but some lenders accept first-time landlords, especially for lower-value or owner-occupied deals.

A: Slightly—but they’re still competitive, and the stronger yield often outweighs the rate difference.

A: Absolutely. We help clients refinance for better rates, equity release, or to switch from personal to limited company ownership.

Why Choose Mortgage Knight?