Commercial Second Charge Mortgages

Can I get a commercial second charge mortgage for my business?

Is it possible to get a second charge commercial mortgage? In short, the answer is ‘yes’, it’s definitely an option if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria!

As with everything, the devil is in the detail. In the article below we will look at when and how second mortgage business loans could be considered a viable option as an additional funding method.

Once you’ve read through the information below, make an enquiry and we can arrange for a commercial mortgage specialist to get in touch and discuss your requirements further.

What is a second charge on a commercial property?

A second charge commercial mortgage is essentially a secondary mortgage secured against the equity you hold in a commercial property.

If you’re unable to repay the debt and the property is repossessed to settle the outstanding amount, your original mortgage provider will be at the front of the queue to receive the money they’re owed. The second charge lender would recoup their funds from the remaining sum.

What are the benefits of using a commercial second mortgage for my business?

If you already have a commercial mortgage on your business property and need to raise further funds, for example, to carry out renovation and refurbishment work or to extend the business premises, a commercial mortgage on a second charge basis could be a solution for you.

If you opted for this type of funding you would, as the name implies, have two commercial mortgages tied to your business operating independently of each other.

You can only apply for a second mortgage for your business if you own a property used for commercial activity, which already has one mortgage loan in place.

Commercial second charge mortgages are available either as interest-only or capital and repayment. A lender, when considering second mortgage applications, will require security in the form of a tangible asset as collateral. Typically, the business premises would be used for this purpose.

Why get a second charge commercial mortgage?

There are a number of reasons why you might borrow under these circumstances, including…

How do I qualify for the best commercial second mortgage rates?

The best way to secure the most competitive interest rates, whether for a first or second charge mortgage is to ensure your business is able to present a strong application when assessed against a lender’s eligibility criteria.

Lenders will review an application for a commercial second mortgage on a case-by-case basis.

In a broad sense, a lender will look at how closely you meet their eligibility criteria for these products…

• Affordability
• Viability of the business
• Deposit
• Credit rating

Having already had the experience of this process when applying for the first mortgage, a business should be quite well versed in these requirements. In the case of a commercial second charge mortgage, a lender may likely focus on how the additional funding will affect the overall profitability of the business positively.

A robust application, that is able to offer a solid trading record and realistic profit projections can expect to raise a lender’s confidence and secure the best interest rates.

In addition, rather than trying to scour the market looking for what each and every lender has to offer, the more sensible action is to utilise the services of a mortgage broker who will already have a deep understanding of what market solutions are available.

We work very closely with a number of mortgage brokers who would be able to assist businesses with their borrowing requirements. If you make an enquiry with us we can arrange for an expert to get in touch.

What loan to value (LTV) can I expect on a second mortgage for my business?

When considering the LTV for a commercial mortgage on a second charge basis, it’s important to understand what equity currently exists in your business property when taking your first mortgage into account.

If your business premises are worth £300,000 and the outstanding balance on your first mortgage is £100,000 you know there is £200,000 equity in your property. Most lenders, for a commercial second charge mortgage would offer an LTV between 50%-65%. On this basis, your business could borrow an additional £50,000-£95,000.

What other options are available?

A second charge mortgage is just one of many types of commercial lending which would be available.

Some of the alternatives include:

Remortgaging existing arrangement

The most obvious alternative to a second charge mortgage. Whilst commercial mortgage interest rates are generally available on variable rates, the risk profile is judged on a case-by-case basis. Additional funding may be judged outside the parameters set by an existing lender, or rates may need to increase to cater for this.

In this event a second mortgage may be a more viable and cheaper option in the long term.

Unsecured business loan

Some borrowers take out second charge commercial mortgages for business loan purposes, i.e. as an alternative to an unsecured business loan.

But, If the extra funding you need is less than £25,000 it may be worth considering a shorter term unsecured business loan. This type of borrowing is usually available more quickly than a mortgage and would be a good option if you already have some capital available but need more to complete your renovation work, for example.

Asset financing

Depending on what type of business you run, you might have substantial equity tied up in assets such as equipment and company vehicles. Through asset financing, you could refinance your loans on these items (or securing new ones against them if you own them outright) and unlock working capital.

These are just some of the other options available. If you get in touch with us we can arrange for an advisor we work with to contact you and look, in detail, at all the funding options and help you select the one that best suits your circumstances.

Why you should speak to a commercial mortgage broker

At Online Mortgage Advisor we can offer you a first-class service tailored to your own specific needs with access to the most experienced brokers available that:

• Have whole of market access
• Can offer bespoke advice on 2nd charge business lending
• Have excellent relationships with 2nd charge commercial lenders
• Are OMA accredited advisors
• Have completed a 12 module LIBF accredited training course

Speak to a 2nd charge commercial mortgage expert

If you have questions and want to speak to an expert for the right advice, call Online Mortgage Advisor today on 0808 189 2301 or make an online enquiry.

Then sit back and let us do all the hard work in finding the broker with the right expertise for your circumstances. We don’t charge a fee and there’s absolutely no obligation or marks on your credit rating.