What documents do I need to apply for hotel financing or a hotel mortgage?

Summary: To apply for hotel financing or a hotel mortgage you’ll normally need standard commercial lending paperwork (ID for owners/directors, company incorporation documents, 2–3 years of accounts or recent management accounts, bank statements, title/lease and valuation) plus hospitality‑specific evidence such as trading figures (occupancy, ADR), licences, franchise/operator agreements and any contractor quotes for refurbishments. Complete our free eligibility check and we’ll match your business with specialist lenders and brokers who handle hotels. Get Quote Now

Important: We are not a lender and do not give regulated financial advice. UK Business Loans introduces you to lenders and brokers. Completing an enquiry is free and not an application and has no obligation. Lenders may carry out credit checks if you proceed and will set all terms and eligibility.

Who we help

We work with hotel owners, operators, investors, franchisees and management companies — from single‑site hotels to multi‑site groups. If you need a business loan, commercial mortgage, refurbishment finance or short‑term bridging for a hotel project (loans usually from £10,000 and up), start with a quick enquiry and we’ll connect you to the lenders or brokers best suited to hospitality. Free Eligibility Check

At a glance — quick document checklist

Below is the short checklist most lenders will expect. Use it to get organised for a faster response.

• Identity: Passports/driving licences for owners / directors; proof of address (utility bill/bank statement).
• Company & legal: Certificate of Incorporation, shareholder register, Articles/Articles of Association, company accounts & business bank details.
• Financial: 2–3 years audited accounts (or last 2–3 years accounts and latest managements), management accounts (most recent 12 months), VAT returns, corporation tax filings, 3–12 months business bank statements, cashflow forecasts.
• Existing finance: loan/mortgage statements, hire purchase and asset finance schedules, lease agreements.
• Property: title documents (Land Registry), commercial lease (if leased), mortgage statements, recent RICS survey/valuation, EPC.
• Hotel‑specific: trading figures (monthly occupancy, Average Daily Rate (ADR), RevPAR), booking platform/OTA contracts, premises and alcohol licences, food hygiene rating, franchise or management agreements.
• Refurbishment & development: contractor quotes, planning permission, QS cost plan, programme and drawdown schedule.
• Compliance & insurance: building, public liability and business interruption policies, H&S records and any asbestos reports.
• Operational: management CVs, key staff contracts and staffing levels.

Detailed checklist — what each lender will typically request

1. Identity and company documents

• Director/owner ID: valid passport or UK driving licence; proof of residential address (recent utility bill or bank statement).
• Company papers: Certificate of Incorporation, current Companies House filing (confirmation statement), register of directors/shareholders, Articles of Association.

Why: lenders must complete Know‑Your‑Customer (KYC) and verify ownership and control before progressing an introduction or application.

2. Financial & trading information

• Company accounts: 2–3 years audited accounts where available; if the business is newer provide management accounts and a clear explanation of seasonality.
• Management accounts: up‑to‑date P&L and balance sheet, ideally monthly for the last 12 months.
• Bank statements: typically 3–12 months from the business account (and personal accounts for directors where requested).
• VAT returns and corporation tax submissions.
• Forecasts: 12–24 month cashflow and profit forecasts, with monthly detail for the first 12 months and assumptions on occupancy and ADR.
• Trading reporting: occupancy by month, ADR (Average Daily Rate), RevPAR, typical booking lead times and channel mix (direct vs OTA).

Why: these items demonstrate trading performance and serviceability — hotel income is seasonal and lenders must understand peaks and troughs.

3. Existing finance and liabilities

• Schedule of current debts, outstanding mortgage details and repayment schedules.
• Details of any HP/lease/licence obligations or preferential creditor arrangements.
• Personal guarantees or security previously given (if applicable).

Why: to calculate total exposure, seniority of any new security and risks to the lender.

4. Property, legal and valuation documents

• Title documents / Land Registry entries and plan.
• Existing mortgage/deed paperwork and up‑to‑date redemption figures.
• Commercial lease (if the property is leased) with landlord details.
• Recent RICS valuation or survey (if available) — lenders can instruct surveys but having one speeds decisions.
• EPC certificate, planning consents and building regulation completion certificates.

5. Hotel / hospitality specific items

• Premises licence and alcohol licence details (if applicable).
• Food hygiene rating certificate and any relevant environmental health documentation.
• Franchise agreements, operator/management agreements or brand contracts.
• Booking data and reports showing occupancy rates, ADR, cancellations, commission rates and channel mix (OTAs like Booking.com, Expedia).
• Sample invoices for F&B, corporate bookings or group business to show revenue sources.

Why: hotels are trading businesses where the asset and the business model both determine value; lenders need to see sustainable revenue sources and brand/operator risk.

6. Refurbishment, expansion or development finance

• Detailed contractor quotes and CVs, programme/timescale and build milestones.
• QS cost plan, architect/engineer drawings, planning and building control approvals.
• Development appraisal and cashflow drawdown schedule (how funds are released to the contractor).

Tip: professional QS reports and staged payment schedules reduce lender concern and increase the chance of a development product rather than expensive bridging finance.

7. Insurance, compliance & safety

• Current building/property insurance, public liability and employer liability certificates.
• H&S risk assessments, fire safety certificates, PAT testing records and any asbestos surveys.

Why: to reduce risk and ensure the asset is insurable — lenders will require sufficient cover in place before completion.

8. Management & staffing information

• CVs for the management team, evidence of operational experience, and copies of key staff contracts.
• Organisational chart and confirmation of permanent vs seasonal staff.

Why: strong management mitigates operational risk and is particularly important for turnaround or growth finance.

Typical lender variations and tips to speed up the process

Different products and lenders will make additional demands. For example:

• Bridging lenders will want a clear exit plan (sale, refinance or refinance with long‑term mortgage).
• Development/refurb lenders will insist on QS reports, staged releases and contractor warranties.
• Some lenders may require director personal statements, proof of funds for deposits or personal guarantees.

Speed up your application: scan and upload electronic copies, prepare a single zipped folder of documents, include an executive summary of trading performance and attach a simple one‑page cashflow showing seasonality. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Common reasons applications are delayed or declined (and how to avoid them)

• Incomplete accounts or missing months: provide continuous bank statements and explain gaps.
• Poor or unclear cashflow forecasts: present monthly forecasts with conservative assumptions and show sensitivity analysis for low season.
• Missing licences or H&S issues: remedy regulatory problems before applying or show remedial plans.
• Unclear lease terms: get a solicitor’s summary of lease covenants and break clauses.
• Unvetted contractors for refurbishments: supply contractor references and professional QS estimates.

If you’d like help preparing documents and an eligibility assessment, request a free eligibility check and we’ll match you to lenders/brokers experienced with hotels.

How UK Business Loans helps — matching you to hotel lenders & brokers

UK Business Loans connects hotel businesses to lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality finance. We do not lend directly. Our service is free to use and no obligation — simply complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to the partners most likely to help based on loan size (from £10,000+), property type, trading history and purpose (purchase, refinance, refurb, bridging).

Free Eligibility Check — takes two minutes. Typical response within hours.

Step-by-step: how to apply (typical timeline)

1. Complete the short enquiry form — basic business and loan details. Get Quote Now.
2. We match you to specialist lenders/brokers and pass a summary of your request.
3. Lenders/brokers contact you to request full documentation and discuss terms.
4. Supply documents (use the checklist above) and respond to queries — lender conducts valuations/surveys where needed.
5. Offer and completion — legal work, security paperwork and drawdown.

Typical timescales: initial match within hours; full lender review 3–10 working days depending on complexity and whether a valuation or planning consents are needed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum paperwork for a commercial mortgage on a hotel?

At minimum: ID for directors/owners, company incorporation documents, latest 12 months management accounts, 3–6 months bank statements, title/lease and a recent valuation/survey where possible. Lenders differ so provide as much as you can.

Do I need personal guarantees for a hotel mortgage?

Many lenders ask for personal guarantees or director security, particularly for smaller businesses or where the business has limited trading history. Specialist lenders occasionally offer limited‑guarantee products — discuss via your broker.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — completing an enquiry via UK Business Loans is not a credit application and does not affect credit scores. Lenders may carry out credit searches later if you progress with them.

How long does mortgage approval for a hotel take?

From initial enquiry to offer typically 4–12 weeks. Timescales lengthen if planning, surveys or major refurbishment approvals are required.

Can I get finance for a hotel refurbishment or conversion?

Yes. Development/refurb finance is common but requires contractor quotes, QS cost plans, planning consents and a clear drawdown schedule.

What extra documents does a franchisee need?

Franchise agreement, head office support letters, historic trading under the brand (if available) and confirmation of brand fees/royalties. Lenders will assess the brand strength and operator experience.

Next steps — get organised and get matched

Ready to move forward? Click below to complete a short enquiry (free and no obligation). We’ll match you to specialist brokers and lenders who have experience with hotel finance and mortgages.

Get a free hotel finance quote — Free Eligibility Check

1. What documents do I need to apply for a hotel mortgage or hotel financing?
At minimum you’ll need ID for owners/directors, company incorporation papers, 2–3 years of accounts or recent management accounts, 3–12 months business bank statements, title/lease and a valuation/survey, plus hotel‑specific trading data, licences and any franchise/operator agreements.

2. How long does approval for hotel finance or a commercial mortgage typically take?
From initial enquiry to offer most cases take about 4–12 weeks, with simpler deals often faster and development/refurbishment projects taking longer due to surveys and consents.

3. Will submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing the free enquiry or eligibility check is not a credit application and won’t affect your credit score; lenders may carry out searches later if you progress.

4. Do lenders usually require personal guarantees for hotel loans?
Many lenders ask for personal or director guarantees—especially for smaller businesses or limited trading histories—though some specialist products can limit guarantees depending on the deal.

5. Can I get finance for hotel refurbishment, conversion or expansion?
Yes — refurb and development finance is common but typically requires contractor quotes, a QS cost plan, planning/building consents and a clear staged drawdown schedule.

6. What hotel trading metrics do lenders want to see?
Lenders expect monthly occupancy figures, Average Daily Rate (ADR), RevPAR, channel mix (OTAs vs direct), booking lead times and up‑to‑date management accounts and forecasts.

7. How can I speed up my hotel loan application and decision?
Prepare scanned documents in a single zipped folder, include an executive summary and a one‑page monthly cashflow showing seasonality, and supply any recent RICS valuation upfront.

8. What loan sizes are available for hotel businesses through UK Business Loans?
Our lender and broker partners arrange everything from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial mortgages and development facilities depending on the project and security.

9. If my hotel is leased, what property documents will lenders want?
Provide the full commercial lease with landlord details, a solicitor’s summary of covenants and break clauses, and any rent review or service charge schedules.

10. How does UK Business Loans help me find hotel lenders or brokers?
We’re a free introducer that matches your enquiry to specialist UK lenders and brokers experienced in hotel finance and mortgages—we don’t lend or give regulated advice and there’s no obligation to proceed.