Case Study –Structuring Semi-Commercial Finance for Non-UK Resident Borrowers

The Situation

Non-UK resident borrowers approached Henry Dannell seeking finance for the purchase of a semi-commercial property comprising six residential units and a yoga studio.

The requirement had already proved difficult to place. Alongside the mixed-use nature of the property, the borrowers’ international circumstances introduced further considerations around lender appetite, documentation and the legal process.

The challenge was therefore not simply to identify a lender prepared to consider the transaction. It was to understand the complexity from the outset, position the case appropriately and ensure the different elements could progress together.

The Solution

We began by building a clear picture of the borrowers, the property and the wider transaction before approaching the market. The case was then presented with the relevant context and supporting information, allowing prospective lenders to understand both the strengths of the application and the areas requiring greater consideration. Within days, we secured credit-backed terms, enabling the valuation and legal work to begin promptly. As the transaction progressed, the borrowers’ non-UK residency created additional documentary requirements. Certain information needed to be translated, certified and supported by further evidence. We worked closely with the relevant professionals throughout, anticipating requirements where possible and ensuring the lender and legal teams received the information needed to continue progressing the transaction.

The Henry Dannell Difference

Complex lending is rarely about finding a lender in isolation. It is about understanding how that lender will assess the case, what evidence will be required and how the transaction needs to be positioned before and after terms are agreed. For these borrowers, securing credit-backed terms was an important first step. Active management of the subsequent valuation, documentation and legal requirements was equally important in keeping the transaction moving. By combining careful lender selection with considered case preparation and ongoing coordination, we were able to progress a semi-commercial transaction that had previously proved difficult to place. For more complex commercial and semi-commercial borrowing, the strength of the underlying case matters. How that case is built, positioned and managed can matter just as much. Commercial lending is subject to individual circumstances, lender criteria and availability.