Investing in commercial property with your SSAS
Why Invest In Commercial Property?
Owning a commercial property in your SSAS allows you to benefit from numerous tax advantages. It can also provide a steady and reliable income stream, as long as the property is generating a rental yield and is managed effectively.
WBR Group have over 3,500 properties currently administered on behalf of our members. Let us help you every step of the way, with our in-house experts.
Working Together
Purchasing a commercial property in a SSAS can be complex. There are rules and requirements that are different than if you were purchasing the property personally, or via your company. We will help you navigate these, and we’re always happy to answer any questions that you might have.
It’s important that you let us know if there are any changes that you want to make to the property, and also if there are any disputes that arise. This will help us to help you with your pension investment.
Commercial Property Guide
Download GuideWhy hold a commercial property in a SSAS?
Tax-favoured environment
Tax relief on contributions: no CGT on disposal: no income tax on rental income received. If the business is the tenant then rent paid is also an allowable deduction for Corporation Tax.
Funding options
Borrowing up to 50% of the net fund value of the SSAS, selling existing investments, transferring-in from your other pension arrangements and making contributions.
Joint purchase
You don’t have to purchase the entirety of a property in one go – you can hold part interest in the property, with the remainder held outside of the SSAS.
Property development
You are able to develop the property once it is held within the SSAS. In many cases the SSAS can help fund the building or development works.
Ease of transfer
The single trust structure of a SSAS makes transfers on death, sale of the business or change of ownership far easier than in other member-directed schemes.
Accelerated purchase benefit
With a WBR DBSSAS, registered with HMRC, you can make contributions of up to 2.5 times those allowed in a Defined Contribution environment.
Property Your SSAS can Buy
You would be forgiven for assuming that SSASs can only invest in retail, industrial, offices or land, however in reality there is considerably more flexibility than this.
Retail
Industrial
Offices
Restaurants and cafes
Breweries and pubs
Leisure facilities
Storage and warehousing
Hotels
Doctors/dentist surgeries
Agricultural land
Care homes
Event facilities & wedding venues
Forestry and woodland
Properties we will not accept
There are certain types of property that are unsuitable or unacceptable for a WBR SSAS. These include:
- Residential property, including buy-to-lets, holiday lets, caravans and aparthotels.
- Properties with a high risk of contamination
- Those with a limited resale market.
- Properties that cannot be fully insured.
There is a concession under HMRC regulations regarding residential property that is used for employee or manager’s accommodation. Please contact us and our experts will help you navigate the rules.
Letting
The purpose of investing in commercial property via your SSAS is to generate an income. It’s therefore important that any lease is granted on acceptable terms to both you and WBR.
Managing
There are basic property management requirements that need to be met, including accounting for rental income received This is to comply with trustee fiduciary duties and scheme rules.
VAT
Properties can be elected for VAT at the applicable rate of 20%. VAT elections on commercial property last for 20 years, and allow the VAT paid on a property to be reclaimed.
Insuring
Any property which is purchased by the SSAS must be suitably insured from the point of exchange of contracts to include buildings reinstatement, loss of rent, terrorism and public liability cover.A Range of Services to Benefit Clients
To help you with your SSAS commercial property journey, we have carefully crafted an exclusive range of experts and services to help you every step of the way.
WBR Group – Property Technical Services
WBR Group is the UK’s leading provider of SSAS administration and trustee services. Our property technical team is a dedicated unit designed to guide you through the regulations, complexities and practicalities. The main point of contact is Rob King and his details are shown below.
Solicitors & WBR Law
We don’t mandate the use of a particular law firm and the choice is entirely in the hands of the SSAS members. However, SSAS commercial property transactions can be nuanced, and in our experience, it is preferable to appoint a solicitor who is experienced with these types of transactions.
WBR Law is an independent boutique law firm regulated by the SRA, serving clients across England and Wales, ranging from large corporations and SMEs to entrepreneurs and member-directed pension schemes, including SIPP and SSAS. There is a distinct advantage in appointing WBR Law because it brings the SSAS administration and legal services under one roof – your SSAS consultant has direct contact with the lawyers working on the file; no need to go through third party reception desks; we all have one internal communication system which means your SSAS consultant has greater control over the process and your work gets priority. The main contacts are Alan Simpson and Michael Conlon, with details shown below.
Loan Services – Commercial Sense Limited
Commercial Sense has developed a specialism in obtaining SSAS lending for their clients, noting increasing challenges in accessing finance due to market changes. They’re led by David Whitehead, who has over 30 years’ experience with Barclays, including 10 years as Head of Pensions. They offer a complete pension finance service, connecting clients with a diverse range of lenders to ensure they secure the best deal, rather than simply going with the offer from their existing provider, if they have one.
Contact
David Whitehead
07775 550700
[email protected]
Insurance
The choice of insurer rests with the trustees however we do have a block policy through our broker, Berkeley Insurance Group. Our block policy has been negotiated to offer competitive rates, comprehensive cover (including unforeseen risks) and 24/7 access to a loss adjuster.
Energy Performance Certificates – EPC Choice
EPC Choice offers a wide range of property related services, including energy performance certificates (EPCs) for properties, commercial energy compliance assessments under MEES regulations, and ancillary services such as floor plans, lease layouts, and property photography. Their expertise also extends to solar surveys, insurance and valuation reports, and gas and electrical certification. Our aim is to help trustees meet evolving energy efficiency standards and ensure compliance with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
Contact EPC Choice by clicking here.
The Commercial Property Network (CPN)
CPN is a national collective of respected commercial property agents, with over 3,000 live instructions at any time. Their members provide expert support for sales, lettings, and acquisitions across sectors including industrial, office, retail, leisure, and healthcare. With deep local knowledge and national reach, CPN is well-positioned to support both individual and portfolio-level property strategies for WBR Group clients.
Contact CPN by clicking here.
Meet our Property Experts and Professional Partners
Alan Simpson
Director of Law
Alan Simpson
Director of Law
Since becoming a solicitor in 1994, Alan has dedicated his career to non-contentious commercial property law, handling investment and management projects, property acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant issues, secured lending, and high-end residential deals.
After working for many years in the North West, Alan moved to the East Midlands in 2019 and worked as a Director at a successful law firm before his current position at WBR Law.
Over the years, Alan’s client portfolio has encompassed national retailers, both national and local developers, investors from various scales, and elite athletes, including Premier League footballers and international cricketers.
Alan finds great satisfaction in navigating intricate transactions and large-scale ventures, while also finding pleasure in guiding new entrepreneurs into the realm of commercial property.
An ardent sports fan, Alan holds a season ticket at Anfield, enjoys traveling, quality time with family and friends, good food, craft beers, and even occasionally mingles with Everton supporters.
Michael Conlon
Director of Law
Michael Conlon
Director of Law
Michael is Director of Law at WBR Group, bringing more than 46 years of experience as a post-qualified lawyer. His commercial property law firm was acquired by WBR Group in 2023,
Michael specialises in commercial property, focusing on landlord and tenant relations, litigation, and lease renewals. Owing to his reputation for reliability and effectiveness, he has also handled residential property transactions for existing clients where his approach is to always think of the clients point of view. He has a reputation of being a deal closer, and in his words, “grabbing a transaction at the scruff of its neck.”
In his spare time, Michael has a keen interest in sports, particularly motorsports and football, being an active Spurs supporter.
