Specialist business mortgage broker for owner-occupiers across the London Borough of Bromley

Most of the population lives in the north and west of the borough, and that is where most commercial property is: the town centres of Bromley, Orpington and Beckenham, and the smaller high streets of Penge, West Wickham, Hayes and Chislehurst. Retailers, restaurants, estate agents, dentists, vets, accountants and nurseries are typical buyers, usually of a shop, an office above a shop or a self-contained building.

The rest of Bromley looks very different. Wikipedia describes it as perhaps the most rural London borough, with about 30% of its land in farm use, the highest of any borough, and more of the North Downs than any other. Farm-based businesses, equestrian centres, garden and landscaping firms and rural workshops all need finance too. Our page on owner-occupier mortgages covers how lenders approach both kinds of property.

The majority of the borough is Metropolitan Green Belt, including nearly all the land south of the A232 and A21 between West Wickham and Pratt's Bottom. It also has the lowest population density of the 32 boroughs. For a business buying a rural building, the planning position is the first thing a lender's solicitor checks: a barn converted to offices or workshops needs consent for that use, and Green Belt policy limits extensions and new buildings.

Lenders will often fund rural commercial property, but they look carefully at how specialised it is and whether another business could use it. A mixed site with a house attached may become regulated if the owner lives there. Where a purchase needs more flexibility than a term loan offers, a short bridging loan for premises at an indicative 0.70 to 0.95% a month, subject to status, accounts and valuation, can sometimes bridge a gap while consents are put in place.

Lenders active in owner-occupier lending usually advance 70 to 75% of the lower of price and valuation, sometimes 80% for strong cases, at an indicative 6.0 to 7.5% a year over 5 to 25 years, subject to status, accounts and valuation. Fees and tax are paid from the business's own cash. Bromley is in England, so SDLT applies at 0% up to £150,000, 2% from £150,001 to £250,000 and 5% above £250,000 for non-residential property (HMRC, rates as at October 2026; check the current rates before you buy).

Illustrative example. A veterinary practice company buys a freehold building in a Bromley district centre for £650,000. A 75% loan is £487,500, leaving a deposit of £162,500. SDLT is £22,000, so the company needs about £184,500 in cash before legal and valuation fees. The stamp duty guide breaks down each band.

Bromley is one of only six London boroughs with no Underground station, but it has many railway stations served by London Overground, Thameslink, Southeastern and Southern, plus several Tramlink stops. At the 2011 census, driving was the most common way residents travelled to work. For premises, that means parking and road access often matter as much to a lender's valuer as a nearby station.

Bromley London Borough Council is the planning authority, and the lender takes a first legal charge registered at HM Land Registry. Commercial lending to a limited company is unregulated and falls outside the FCA's regulated mortgage perimeter. Where a deal would be regulated, for example lending to a sole trader or individual, or a property where the borrower or a close family member will live in part of it, we refer it to an appropriately authorised firm. Our London business mortgages page covers neighbouring boroughs.