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Commercial Property Calculator

UK commercial

Net initial yield, empty rates on a void, and the valuation your income actually supports.

The purchase and the lease

England and Northern Ireland stamp duty. Scotland and Wales run separate non-residential schedules.

What the tenant pays now, not the asking rent.

The same rent is worth materially less on IRI. It is the first thing to check in the lease and it is not in the particulars.

Landlord costs

Repair and insurance are charged only on an IRI lease.

The void, and the bill it brings

A residential void costs you the rent. A commercial void costs you the rent and the rates.

Net initial yield

6.89%

Net operating income ÷ total cash in

Non-residential SDLT

£9,500

England & NI schedule

The income

Rent collected£30,000
Landlord costs− £1,500
Empty rates while vacant− £0
Net operating income£28,500
Total cash in£413,500

What the income is worth

£407,143

at a 7% yield. That is £6,357 below your total cash in — the income does not support what you are paying.

This does not model VAT and the option to tax, security of tenure under the 1954 Act, rent reviews, the tenant’s covenant strength, dilapidations, or commercial borrowing — which runs at lower loan-to-value and shorter terms than residential, with interest-cover covenants. Those decide whether a deal that looks good here is one.

What the building is worth

value = net operating income ÷ market yield

A commercial investment is priced on its income, not against comparable sales. So a rent rise is a capital gain — and so is a fall in the yield buyers require, with no change to the rent at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is net initial yield and why not just use gross?

What is the difference between an FRI and an IRI lease?

What are empty rates and why do they matter so much?

Why is the property valued on its income rather than on comparables?

Does this cover Scotland and Wales?

What is not included?