Commercial
Can I finance a warehouse or office in Dubai?
Yes, in most cases. Warehouses, offices, retail units and labour accommodation are financeable in Dubai, but each is assessed case by case on location, tenancy, condition and the borrower's business case, rather than against a single fixed set of criteria.
Property types lenders consider
- Offices in established commercial towers or free zones
- Retail units in occupied, well-managed developments
- Warehouses and logistics space, particularly with an anchor tenant
- Labour accommodation, assessed heavily on operator track record and occupancy
- Mixed-use buildings with a commercial component, assessed against the specific unit's use
What makes a stronger application
A signed lease with a creditworthy tenant, a track record of stable rental income, and a well-documented business case for owner-occupied use all strengthen an application. Location matters too: units in established free zones or well-managed towers are generally easier to finance than standalone or unusually specified buildings.
Vacant or specialised properties, such as purpose-built labour accommodation or single-tenant warehouses, tend to need a larger deposit and closer scrutiny of the operating business, since the bank has less rental history to lean on and a narrower pool of alternative tenants if things go wrong.
How pricing and terms compare by asset type
| Property type | Typical loan-to-value | Key lender focus |
|---|---|---|
| Leased office (strong tenant) | Up to 60% | Lease term and tenant covenant |
| Retail unit (occupied) | 50-60% | Footfall, location, lease strength |
| Warehouse / logistics | 50-60% | Anchor tenant, location, condition |
| Labour accommodation | Typically lower | Operator track record, occupancy history |
Across all types, expect terms of roughly 10-15 years and pricing above residential mortgages, reflecting shorter amortisation and higher perceived risk. Use the mortgage calculator to model different loan-to-value and term combinations before you approach a bank.
Next steps for a specialised asset
- 1Gather the current lease, tenancy schedule or occupancy history for the property
- 2Prepare 2-3 years of company financials if you'll occupy the building yourself
- 3Compare lenders through commercial mortgage financing rather than a single bank, since appetite for niche assets varies widely
Run the numbers on your own case
Free Lenddoo tools and guides related to this article.
Last reviewed 8 August 2026