Residential and commercial property may both involve bricks and mortar — but they’re completely different businesses.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what separates residential and commercial investment: how they’re valued, financed, taxed and managed, and why switching from one to the other means changing the way you think about property altogether.

If you’ve ever thought “I want to invest commercially, but I’m not sure what’s different,” this episode will make it crystal clear.

The Fundamentals

• The difference between letting to people versus businesses

• How lease length, responsibilities and vacancy risk change between the two
  

How Value is Determined

• Comparable-based versus income-based valuations

• How yield directly drives commercial value
  

Funding & Finance

• Why residential lenders assess you, but commercial lenders assess the deal

• Typical LTVs, interest rates and how I approach financing strategy
  

UK Property Transaction Taxes (2025 Update)

• SDLT in England & Northern Ireland

• LBTT in Scotland

• LTT in Wales

• The abolition of MDR in England/NI and how the commercial rates compare
  

Residential Licensing Fees

• Mandatory, Additional & Selective Licensing explained

• Typical costs, penalties, and how commercial avoids these completely
  

The Mindset Shift

• Why successful investors act like CEOs, not landlords

  How I build systems that let my portfolio run without me doing every task

• Residential property is heavily regulated and hands-on.

• Commercial property focuses on contracted income and long-term value growth.

• MDR is gone in England & NI but still available in Scotland and Wales.

• Six or more residential units usually qualify for commercial rates.

• There’s no licensing requirement for commercial — saving thousands in fees.

• To succeed, you need to think like a CEO, not a landlord.

  
  

  🔗 Resources I Mention

• Free guide: How to Find the Right Location to Invest In

• Quiz: What Commercial Property Should You Buy Next?

• Book a call: ncrealestate.co.uk/bookacall