SIPP Borrowing Rules: How Pension Funds Can Use Leverage

Most pension investors are surprised to learn that a SIPP can borrow money. The rules are strict and the purposes are narrow, but for those acquiring commercial property inside a pension — a common strategy for business owners and high-net-worth individuals — borrowing within a SIPP can significantly amplify the assets held for retirement while keeping mortgage payments outside the pension fund.

This guide explains exactly when a SIPP may borrow, how much it can borrow, which lenders will consider SIPP trusts, and the prohibited uses that HMRC treats as unauthorised payments.

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The Core Rule: 50% of Net Asset Value

HMRC's registered pension scheme rules permit a SIPP to borrow up to 50% of the scheme's net asset value at the time the loan is taken out. Net asset value (NAV) means the total value of all assets within the SIPP, minus any existing liabilities.

Example:

A SIPP holds the following:

• Cash: £150,000
• Quoted equities: £180,000
• Commercial property (unencumbered): £270,000
• Total NAV: £600,000

The maximum the SIPP can borrow: £300,000 (50% of £600,000).

The borrowing limit applies at the point the loan is taken. If the value of SIPP assets subsequently falls, the scheme is not required to immediately reduce the loan — but it cannot take out additional borrowing beyond the 50% limit without first repaying existing debt or growing the fund.

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Why a SIPP Would Borrow: The Commercial Property Strategy

The overwhelmingly common reason for SIPP borrowing is the purchase of commercial property. This strategy works particularly well for business owners because the business can occupy the property, pay rent to the SIPP at a commercial rate, and the SIPP accumulates the rental income tax-free.

How the numbers work:

A SIPP with £400,000 NAV can borrow £200,000. Combined, the pension has £600,000 to spend. It purchases commercial premises — a warehouse, an office, a retail unit, a medical centre — for £600,000. The SIPP owns the freehold. If the member's company occupies the property, it pays rent to the SIPP at a market rate.

The rental income within the SIPP:

• Accumulates free of income tax
• Generates no Capital Gains Tax when the property is eventually sold within the SIPP
• Is not subject to annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) — ATED applies to residential, not commercial

The mortgage is serviced by the SIPP from rental income and any other contributions flowing in. Over time, as the loan is repaid, equity in the property accumulates inside the pension.

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Permitted Lenders: Not All Banks Will Lend to a SIPP Trust

A SIPP is a trust, not a company or individual. This means standard high-street mortgage products do not apply. The borrowing must be a commercial lending arrangement between the lender and the SIPP trustee(s).

Lenders that operate in this space include:

• Shawbrook Bank — one of the most active in SIPP commercial mortgage lending; accepts SIPP trustees as borrowers
• Together Money — specialist lender with appetite for pension-trust commercial mortgages
• FS Commercial / Foundation Finance — experienced with SIPP structures
• Lloyds, NatWest, Barclays — will sometimes lend to SIPP trusts if the underlying commercial property is strong and the SIPP administrator is well-regarded, but underwriting is more complex and not all branches understand the structure

Most lenders will want to see:

• The SIPP trust deed and rules (confirming it is a registered pension scheme)
• The SIPP administrator's confirmation that borrowing is permitted under the scheme
• A commercial property valuation from a RICS-qualified surveyor
• Evidence of rental income or a tenancy agreement
• Personal guarantees from the member — though some lenders will lend without these on strong deals

Rates on SIPP commercial mortgages are typically higher than standard commercial mortgages, reflecting the additional complexity. Expect rates 0.5–1.5% above equivalent standard commercial products, as of 2026.

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Security: What the Lender Can and Cannot Take

The lender's security is the specific commercial property being purchased within the SIPP. The lender takes a first legal charge over the property.

Critically, the lender cannot take security over the pension fund itself. The SIPP remains a protected trust for the member's retirement. If the property were to be repossessed, the lender's remedy is against the property only, not the remaining cash and investments in the SIPP.

This protection is one of the structural advantages of holding property within a SIPP rather than in a personal or company name, where all assets might be at risk in a forced sale.

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Prohibited Uses of SIPP Borrowing

HMRC is clear about what SIPP borrowing may not be used for. Breaching these rules triggers an unauthorised payment, which carries a tax charge of up to 55% on the amount involved.

SIPP borrowing may not be used to:

• Purchase residential property — a SIPP cannot hold residential property directly (including buy-to-let flats, houses, or holiday lets). This applies whether or not borrowing is involved. A SIPP acquiring residential property is itself an unauthorised payment.
• Invest in stocks and shares, bonds, or funds — borrowing within a SIPP to gear a share portfolio is not permitted. Permitted investments do not require borrowing for their purchase in this way.
• Lend to the member personally — the SIPP cannot lend money to the member. This is a common misconception. Loan-back arrangements are available in a SSAS (Small Self-Administered Scheme), not a SIPP.
• Fund general business expenses — the SIPP is a pension vehicle, not a source of working capital for the member's business.
• Acquire tangible moveable property (wine, art, cars, jewellery) — these are prohibited regardless of how they are financed.

The HMRC rules use the concept of "employer-related investments" and "taxable property" to police these restrictions. SIPP administrators are required to refuse transactions that would place the scheme in breach.

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Interest Within the Pension: Is It Deductible?

Pension funds registered in the UK pay no income tax on investment income and no Capital Gains Tax on gains. This means the concept of deducting interest expense is largely moot — there is no tax liability against which to deduct.

In practice, the interest paid on a SIPP mortgage reduces the net rental income flowing into the pension fund. This is not a formal "deduction" in the income tax sense, but it does reduce the net accumulation inside the SIPP. Structuring the loan on a capital-and-interest (repayment) basis rather than interest-only typically maximises long-term pension wealth, because as the loan reduces, more of the rental income accumulates as equity.

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Refinancing and Multiple Properties

A SIPP that holds one commercial property may, in principle, acquire additional properties — each time checking that total borrowing across the scheme does not exceed 50% of total NAV. Refinancing an existing SIPP mortgage is permitted on the same basis, provided the new loan does not breach the 50% limit.

Where a SIPP acquires a second property using a combination of cash and new borrowing, the total borrowing (across both properties) must remain within the 50% cap.

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Borrowing and the Annual Allowance

SIPP borrowing is entirely separate from the annual allowance (AA) regime. Borrowing is not a contribution — it is a transaction within the scheme. The AA limits contributions flowing into the scheme from the member, employer, and third parties; it does not restrict the scheme's own investment activity, including borrowing.

The rental income the SIPP receives is also not a contribution and does not count towards the AA.

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SIPP Borrowing vs SSAS Loan-Back

A common confusion: business owners sometimes seek to use their pension to lend money back to their business. This is not available in a SIPP. It is, however, available in a SSAS (Small Self-Administered Scheme) under specific conditions:

Feature	SIPP	SSAS
Borrowing permitted	Yes — up to 50% NAV	Yes — up to 50% NAV
Loan to sponsoring employer	No — prohibited	Yes — up to 50% of scheme assets at commercial terms
Loan to member personally	No — prohibited	No — prohibited
Commercial property purchase	Yes	Yes
Suitable for	Individual members	Owner-managed companies with up to 11 members

If the ability to lend back to a business is important, a SSAS — rather than a SIPP — is the appropriate structure. Seek specialist occupational pension advice.

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Practical Steps for SIPP Borrowing

1. Identify the property and obtain a RICS commercial valuation.
2. Confirm the SIPP has sufficient NAV for the 50% borrowing limit to support the purchase price.
3. Speak to a specialist SIPP administrator — not all SIPP providers permit in-specie property purchases or borrowing; check before proceeding.
4. Engage a specialist commercial mortgage broker with SIPP experience to approach suitable lenders.
5. Appoint a solicitor experienced in SIPP property transactions — SIPP property conveyancing involves the SIPP trustee as buyer, which differs from standard commercial conveyancing.
6. Agree a tenancy agreement at a commercial market rent if the member's business will occupy the property.
7. Notify HMRC via the SIPP administrator if required — for example, where the transaction involves connected party rules.

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Risks to Consider

• Concentration risk: a single property may represent most of the SIPP's value; diversification is reduced.
• Liquidity risk: property is illiquid; if a large pension commencement lump sum or income drawdown is needed quickly, selling the property at short notice may not be feasible.
• Void periods: if the property stands empty, the SIPP must service the mortgage from other assets. Ensure sufficient liquidity reserves.
• Interest rate risk: SIPP mortgages may be on variable rates; rising rates increase the debt servicing burden within the fund.
• Valuation changes: property values can fall as well as rise; a fall in value may reduce the NAV below the level that supports the existing borrowing, though the 50% test only applies at the point the loan is taken out, not continuously.

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Compliance Caveats

Pension rules are complex and change over time. The information in this guide reflects HMRC rules as understood in 2026. Individual circumstances vary considerably. This guide does not constitute financial advice. Before arranging SIPP borrowing or acquiring commercial property within a pension, take regulated financial advice from an adviser authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority who has specific experience in SIPP property transactions.

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How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments works with high-net-worth individuals and internationally mobile professionals who wish to optimise their UK pension arrangements alongside their broader investment portfolios. We can introduce you to regulated specialist advisers experienced in SIPP commercial property strategies, help you assess whether SIPP borrowing fits your wider financial plan, and co-ordinate with your accountant or solicitor to ensure the structure is implemented correctly. Contact our team to arrange an initial consultation.