SSAS Development
Finance
Reviewed by Matt Lenzie, Founder — SSAS Property Finance
Fund commercial property conversions, refurbishments, and ground-up development through your SSAS pension scheme. Staged drawdowns, GDV-based lending, and specialist development lenders.
Up to 50% LTV
Borrowing based on gross development value (GDV), maximising funding for your commercial project.
Staged Drawdowns
Funds released in stages as the project progresses, monitored by a professional quantity surveyor.
Commercial Only
Finance for commercial end-use projects — offices, industrial units, retail, and mixed-use schemes.
Specialist Lenders
Access lenders experienced in pension-backed development transactions and staged drawdown facilities.
What Is SSAS Development Finance?
SSAS development finance allows your pension scheme to fund commercial property development projects. Unlike a standard SSAS mortgage used to purchase completed buildings, development finance is structured around the construction or conversion process, with funds released in stages as the project reaches agreed milestones.
Lending is typically assessed on gross development value (GDV) — the projected value of the completed project — rather than the current value of the site. This means your SSAS can potentially fund a larger project than the existing site value would suggest, provided the completed development supports the borrowing within HMRC's 50% net asset borrowing limit.
A monitoring surveyor is appointed by the lender to inspect the development at each stage before funds are released. This protects both the lender and your SSAS by ensuring the project is being delivered on budget and to specification. On completion, the development is typically refinanced onto a longer-term SSAS mortgage or sold.
Types of Projects We Finance
Commercial Conversions
Convert existing buildings into commercial premises — for example, warehouse to office space or retail to mixed-use.
Change of Use
Fund projects involving planning permission change of use to create commercial property from non-commercial stock.
Refurbishment
Significant refurbishment of existing commercial property to increase value and rental yield before refinancing.
Ground-Up Development
Fund the construction of new commercial buildings on land held by or being acquired by your SSAS.
SSAS Development Finance Eligibility
- Registered SSAS with sufficient net assets to support borrowing
- Property must have a commercial end-use (offices, industrial, retail)
- Planning permission granted or permitted development rights confirmed
- Experienced developer preferred — lenders assess track record
- Independent RICS valuation and development appraisal required
- Clear exit strategy (refinance to term loan, sale, or hold with rental income)
The Development Finance Process
Feasibility Assessment
We review your SSAS position, development plans, planning status, and borrowing capacity to determine feasibility.
Development Appraisal
A full development appraisal is prepared including GDV calculation, build costs, and projected returns.
Lender Sourcing
We approach specialist development lenders on our panel to secure terms with staged drawdown facilities.
Valuation & Monitoring
An independent RICS valuation is instructed and a monitoring surveyor appointed to oversee staged releases.
Trustee Approval & Drawdown
All SSAS trustees approve the facility. Initial funds are drawn down with subsequent releases tied to build milestones.
Completion & Exit
On project completion, the development is either refinanced onto a term loan, sold, or held for rental income.
Related SSAS Finance Products
SSAS Bridging Finance
Short-term finance for purchasing a site quickly before commencing your development project.
SSAS Term Loan
Refinance your completed development onto a long-term SSAS mortgage with rates from 5.49%.
SSAS Commercial Mortgage
Standard SSAS commercial property mortgages with up to 50% LTV and terms up to 25 years.
Development Finance Also Available via SIPP
Commercial property development finance is also available for Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). If you hold a SIPP rather than an SSAS, visit our sister site SIPP Property Finance for specialist SIPP development finance options.
Have a Commercial Development Project?
Share your development plans with us and we will source competitive terms from specialist SSAS development lenders. No obligation, no fees for initial consultation.
Discuss Your Project