Types of allowable property 

Fee free assessment

We are happy to undertake a fee free initial assessment of a commercial property, prior to establishment of a SIPP with us. All you need to do is send us details of the property in question via email, or give us a call.

We are able to assess properties using an online sales link or marketing/auction particulars, or alternatively just an overview of the property sent to us via email, or over the phone. The more information that you can provide, the better.

Any assessment provided will be subject to our usual due diligence.

For existing Curtis Banks clients, please contact us on 0370 414 7000.

For new Curtis Banks clients, please contact our Sales Executive, Nick Giles on 07909 115614.

Allowable property types

If the property is commercial and based in the UK, we will happily assess it, whether it is freehold, leasehold or commonhold. We will usually assess the following categories of properties.

Retail premises

Stores, hairdressers, dry cleaners and travel agents. 

Restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments

Pubs, wine bars and takeaways. 

Land

Bare land, farmland, forestry land and grazing land.

Industrial units, storage or distribution

Wholesale warehouses, distribution centres or manufacturing units. 

Non-residential institutions

Clinics and health centres, including GP surgeries and dental practices, creches and day nurseries.

Public and leisure facilities

Cinemas, dance and concert halls, sports halls, swimming pools, gymnasiums and bingo halls.

Hotels and care facilities

An entire hotel complex.

Business offices

General offices, solicitors offices, barristers chambers, accountancy firms, estate agents or employment agencies.

Non allowable property investments

Taxable property

If a property is used for, or is suitable for use as a dwelling, or is land that forms part of the garden or grounds of such a property, it may be classed as taxable property.

Curtis Banks is unable to purchase taxable property into a SIPP. A full definition of taxable property can be found in the Finance Act 2006, schedule 29A, Part 2,section 7(1) (a).

If Curtis Banks were to purchase taxable property falling under the above definition, HMRC would impose severe tax implications on both Curtis Banks and the pension. We are therefore unable to, in most situations; purchase an asset if it does include a residential element.

Examples of taxable property are:

  • Holiday Lets
  • Hotel Rooms with catering facilities in the individual letting rooms
  • Aparthotels

There are certain circumstances where the pension can acquire properties with a residential element, if the residential element is to be used in conjunction with the commercial property. There are additional HMRC regulations that would apply here - please contact us to find out more.

There are other types of property that we are unable to acquire into a SIPP. Additional information about allowability and taxable property can be found in our Property Guide.

Overseas commercial property

Unfortunately, we're unable to acquire commercial property outside of the UK.