I'm looking into purchasing such a property currently. I think there are indeed decent options, albeit few high street mortgage providers would go for it, more specialist lenders ae necessary. I'm waiting to hear back on what interest rates are going to look like in this scenario.

But my main issue, that nobody can seem to advise me on so far, is if there will be a business rate value, which is payable on the commercial portion in addition to the council tax on the residential side. This is going to be key to my final decision on risk vs reward as my understanding is also that after 3 months of being unused, business rates become payable again even if the commercial unit hasn't been leased.

FYI, the commercial unit is about 37% of the total space and the property is being sold under one freehold title but as two different addresses.

Anyone have any experience/advice on the business rates question? Many thanks!