Deciding whether to buy or rent is an important decision when it comes to investing in your business. There are pros and cons to both and what is most suitable depends on a number of factors, such as your budget, the importance of location for your business and the stage of growth of your business. In this article, we set out the main advantages and disadvantages to help you make a well-considered choice.

Under UK law, property can be acquired as either freehold or leasehold and there are important differences to note between the two.

Houses are usually sold freehold, although leasehold houses are becoming more common in new build developments. Flats and office space are sold leasehold, as portions of a larger building. Commercial property is typically sold leasehold, unless you purchase an entire building. Purchasers intending to use a residential property for a commercial use may need to apply for change of use. It is important to note that leases running seven years or more need to be registered by the purchaser at the Land Registry and SDLT is payable.

Disputes around boundary issues and defects are worryingly common and can lead to arduous legal battles. Many can be avoided by being aware of the causes and potential solutions to such disputes, and by going into each property investment fully informed of your contractual rights and responsibilities.

Commercial mortgages are long term business loans secured against a commercial property such as a hotel, shop, office or factory. They are similar in some ways to residential mortgages and a 15-25 year term is normal. They are commonly used to purchase business premises to operate from.