How long do commercial property finance facilities usually take when introduced through UK Business Loans?

Summary: Commercial property finance timescales vary by product and complexity — from as little as 24 hours for urgent bridging introductions to several months for large development or syndicated facilities. Typical expectations when introduced through UK Business Loans: bridging loans often see lender contact and terms within days; commercial mortgages usually progress to an offer in 2–8 weeks and complete in 4–12 weeks; development finance and complex refinance projects commonly take 8–24+ weeks. Read on for a step‑by‑step timeline, product-specific ranges, common causes of delay and practical ways to speed the process.

UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We connect you with lenders and brokers who may contact you with offers. Completing our enquiry form is free and will not affect your credit score.

At a glance: typical timescales

How UK Business Loans speeds introductions

We don’t lend. Our role is to match your business and the commercial property requirement (purchase, refinance, development, short‑term bridging) with lenders and brokers likely to provide competitive terms quickly. A streamlined enquiry and accurate property/business information means faster contact from the right market. Typical benefits:

• Targeted matching — we approach lenders/brokers experienced in your sector and facility type to avoid wasted time.
• Fast response — initial contact from partners is often within hours during working days.
• No cost to enquire — you can request a free eligibility check without affecting your credit file.

Ready to get started? Start your Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

Typical step‑by‑step timeline for commercial property finance

1. Introduction & initial contact (hours – 48 hours)

After you submit an enquiry, UK Business Loans matches your request and shares it with selected partners. Expect initial contact from a broker or lender within hours, though sometimes within 24–48 hours depending on the complexity and time of day.

What happens: quick eligibility check, clarifying the loan amount, security, purpose and timescale. A lender may give an indicative rate or a conditional term sheet at this stage.

How to speed it up: provide clear property details (address, tenure, purchase price or valuation), company turnover and recent accounts, and a concise brief on the purpose of funds.

2. Formal application & underwriting (3 – 21 days)

Once you progress beyond an initial indicator, the lender or broker will request a formal application and documentation. Underwriting typically covers company accounts, director / shareholder ID, credit checks, cashflow forecasts (for development or trading assets), and evidence of property income or tenancy if applicable.

Timescale varies: straightforward bridging or small-term facilities can move very quickly (a few days), whereas large commercial mortgage or development underwriting can take several weeks as underwriters review risk, covenant strength and viability.

3. Valuation & survey (1 – 3 weeks)

Lenders order a valuation (RICS or panel surveyor) and sometimes specialist reports (structural, asbestos, or planning). Where a recent, lender‑acceptable valuation exists, this shortens the process. Panel surveyors and digital valuation platforms also speed up turnaround.

4. Legal work and conveyancing (4 – 12 weeks)

Solicitors handle title investigation, searches, lease/tenant checks and legal conditions that appear in the offer. Legal timing depends on solicitor availability, complexity (leasehold, multiple owners, covenants) and how quickly you or the seller respond to queries.

5. Offer to completion / funds released (1 – 3 weeks from offer)

After lender conditions are satisfied, a formal offer is issued and solicitors will agree exchange/completion. For bridging, funds can sometimes be released within days of repricing and legal work; for mortgages or development facilities, completion often follows after full legal conditions are addressed.

Typical overall windows: urgent bridging: days–2 weeks; commercial mortgage: 6–12 weeks; development and complex refinance: 8–24+ weeks.

Get Quote Now — quick, no-obligation matching

Typical times by product

• Bridging loans: 24 hours – 2 weeks. Rapid introductions and decisions for straightforward security and experienced borrowers.
• Commercial mortgages: 2–8 weeks to receive an offer; completion commonly 4–12 weeks (lender underwriting + legal conveyancing).
• Development finance: 4–16+ weeks. Underwriting focuses on costs, planning, contractor credentials and exit strategy — longer where planning or pre-lets are conditional.
• Refinance: 3–12 weeks depending on complexity of existing facility, redemption statements and any consent required.
• Asset‑backed or specialist facilities: often faster if documentation and valuation are straightforward.

Note: ranges are typical — individual cases will differ.

What commonly causes delays — and how to avoid them

Common bottlenecks:

• Incomplete documentation — missing accounts, ID, tenancy schedules or unclear property plans.
• Complex title or leasehold issues — restrictive covenants, multiple owners, or enfranchisement problems.
• Weak or unverified tenant covenants — lenders look for predictable rental income.
• Slow solicitors or surveyors — availability and workload affect timing.
• Planning conditions for development finance — outstanding planning consent or conditions add time.

Practical checklist to speed things up:

• Prepare recent accounts, management accounts and business plan or cashflow forecast.
• Collect tenancy agreements, rent rolls and lease abstracts in advance.
• Have director ID and proof of address ready.
• Engage a solicitor early and confirm availability.
• Be transparent about liabilities or VAT status — surprises slow underwriting.

UK Business Loans helps by matching you to partners who typically accept the type of security, structure and sector you operate in — reducing time spent approaching unsuitable lenders.

Special cases — fast‑tracks and complexities

Fast‑track scenarios:

• Auction purchases or time‑sensitive acquisitions can use short‑term bridging with same‑day introductions in some cases.
• Experienced borrowers with strong security and clear documentation often complete faster.

More complex/long‑lead scenarios:

• Large multi‑phase developments, syndicated facilities, or overseas ownership structures often add legal, tax and AML complexity and extend timescales.
• Properties with environmental concerns or significant refurbishment needs may require specialist surveys and contractors’ programmes.

Fees, solicitor costs and who usually pays what

Expect to budget for arrangement fees, valuation and survey fees, solicitor costs and any lender due diligence charges. Typically:

• The borrower pays solicitor fees and survey costs unless otherwise agreed.
• Lender arrangement fees or broker fees are disclosed by the lender/broker before completion.

Confirm fee responsibility early. A broker introduced via UK Business Loans will normally outline likely fee structures during initial contact.

What you’ll be asked in the enquiry form (prepare to speed things up)

Typical form fields and documents that speed matching:

• Company name, registration number and turnover
• Loan amount required (we work with facilities from £10,000 upwards)
• Property address, tenure (freehold/leasehold), purchase price or valuation
• Purpose of funds (purchase, refinance, development, refurbishment, bridging)
• Tenancy details or rent roll if applicable
• Anticipated timescale (urgent/standard/longer) and contact details

Answering these honestly and uploading documents where possible helps partners respond faster. Free Eligibility Check — Start your 2‑minute enquiry

Realistic timeline examples (mini case studies)

Case 1 — Bridging for an auction purchase

• Day 0: Enquiry submitted via UK Business Loans
• Within 24 hours: Broker matches and provides an indicative term
• Day 2–4: Formal application and survey instruction
• Day 7: Offer issued; solicitor confirms readiness; completion within 7–10 days

Case 2 — Commercial mortgage for a let investment

• Week 0: Enquiry and initial match
• Week 1–3: Formal underwriting, accounts review and valuation
• Week 4–8: Offer issued, solicitors exchange and completion by week 10

Each case depends on documentation, solicitor turnaround and lender conditions — your matched broker will provide a tailored expected timeline.

Summary & next steps

Typical ranges when introduced through UK Business Loans:

• Bridging: days – 2 weeks
• Commercial mortgages: 6–12 weeks to completion
• Development finance and complex refinance: 8–24+ weeks

We make introductions quickly so lenders/brokers can assess your case without you having to approach the market multiple times. To get an accurate, personalised timeline for your commercial property requirement, complete our short enquiry now — it takes around two minutes and does not affect your credit score.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Completing our enquiry form is free and will not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out checks later if you choose to proceed.

Frequently asked questions

Will submitting the enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting our online enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out checks later if you proceed.

How quickly will a lender contact me after I submit the form?

Often within hours during working days; sometimes within 24–48 hours depending on detail provided and lender workload.

Can you introduce me to lenders for development finance?

Yes — we match businesses to lenders and brokers who arrange development finance; expect longer due diligence because of planning and build risk assessment.

Do you charge for the matching service or the quote?

No. UK Business Loans provides matching free of charge. Any lender/broker fees are disclosed by them before you accept an offer.

What documents do lenders typically need?

Recent accounts, management accounts, tenancy schedule, proof of ID, purchase contract or valuation, business plan/cashflow for development projects.

Who pays solicitor and valuation fees?

Borrowers usually pay solicitor and survey fees unless a lender or broker agrees otherwise; always confirm during the offer stage.

Learn more about the types of solutions we match businesses with on our wider business finance page: business finance.

Useful links: Home • How it works • FAQ • Contact

1. How long does it take to get a business loan through UK Business Loans?
Typically you’ll get introductions within hours, bridging loans can complete in days–2 weeks, commercial mortgages commonly take 6–12 weeks to completion, and development or complex refinance deals often take 8–24+ weeks.

2. Will submitting the enquiry form affect my credit score?
No — submitting UK Business Loans’ free enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out checks later if you proceed.

3. Is UK Business Loans a lender or do you give regulated financial advice?
We are an introducer that connects you with lenders and brokers—we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice.

4. What documents will lenders typically ask for when applying for commercial property finance?
Lenders usually request recent company accounts, management accounts/cashflow forecasts, director ID and proof of address, tenancy schedules or rent rolls, and the purchase contract or valuation.

5. How quickly will a lender or broker contact me after I submit the form?
Most partners contact you within hours on working days, though some cases may take 24–48 hours depending on complexity and information provided.

6. What fees should I expect when arranging a commercial property loan?
Expect arrangement/broker fees, valuation and survey costs and solicitor fees—borrowers usually pay solicitor and survey fees while lenders/brokers disclose any charges before you accept an offer.

7. Can start-ups or businesses with poor credit get funding via UK Business Loans?
Yes — we match you with a wide network of brokers and lenders, including those who specialise in start‑ups and cases with imperfect credit histories.

8. How can I speed up the commercial property finance process?
Prepare recent accounts, tenancy agreements, director ID, accurate property details and engage a solicitor early to reduce underwriting, valuation and legal delays.

9. What loan amounts are available through UK Business Loans?
Our partners offer facilities from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial and development finance deals, depending on lender criteria.

10. Are the lenders and brokers you introduce regulated and trustworthy?
Yes — we work with reputable, FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders who follow industry rules and treat customers fairly.