Why Established Businesses Are Now at Greater Risk of Insolvency
Established UK businesses are increasingly at risk of insolvency, often due to HMRC debt. Learn how Bell & Company helps protect viable firms and restore stability.
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The UK and European property investment markets are under pressure. Rising interest rates, falling valuations, and stricter loan covenants have left many landlords and investors struggling to meet their financial obligations.
From distressed commercial buildings to overleveraged portfolios, property debt is becoming a growing concern – but there are solutions.
At Bell & Company, our team of specialist debt resolution experts work directly with lenders to restructure loans, settle personal guarantees, and prevent enforcement action. Whether you’re an individual with a distressed property or a portfolio investor facing multiple defaults, we provide strategic business debt help that protects your assets and restores financial stability.
The commercial real estate market has suffered a “perfect storm” thanks to rapidly rising interest rates, a seemingly unstoppable shift to remote working, and a massive wave of maturing debt. While interest rates are slowly beginning to come down from their post-pandemic high, office occupancy levels are still between 35% – 45% lower than pre-pandemic levels. This is pushing Class B/C office buildings to unprecedented 25+% vacancy rates, making them obsolete without massive repurposing. In London alone, office property values have fallen by nearly 40% since 2022, leaving some landlords unable to refinance or sell without taking a loss.
With approximately £32.6 billion of UK commercial real estate loans expected to mature in 2025, lenders, including banks and private debt funds, are increasingly using tactics like extending loan terms, adjusting interest rates, and asking for additional equity – sometimes described as “extend and pretend” or “delay and pray.” This strategy is used because 70% of this debt is concentrated in regional and community banks, making widespread foreclosures a systemic risk. So, while these measures can provide temporary relief, many property owners risk breaching covenants and facing enforcement action if valuations don’t recover.
The consequences are serious:
We understand that selling under pressure is rarely the right solution. Our approach focuses on negotiating with lenders and creating sustainable solutions, including:
By tailoring solutions to each client’s circumstances, we help landlords and investors avoid rushed property sales and make decisions that maximise financial recovery.
It’s not just investors who face challenges. Individuals who purchased property, either residential or commercial, can find themselves in negative equity or struggling with mortgage repayments.
Bell & Company provides personalised case reviews for individuals, offering:
Our goal is to ensure every client understands their options and takes action before financial stress escalates.
With over a decade of experience, Bell & Company are recognised as one of the UK’s leading independent debt advisory firms. Our team has successfully helped both private individuals and high-net-worth property investors navigate complex financial challenges, including:
We combine hands-on experience, specialist expertise, and a commitment to transparency, ensuring that clients receive actionable advice and measurable outcomes.
In a high-stakes market where 300% more distressed asset sales are setting new, lower price points, waiting is no longer an option. The ‘extend and pretend’ window is closing. Interest rates may fall slowly, and lenders are under increasing pressure to recover funds. Acting early, with expert guidance, protects your position and increases your options.
At Bell & Company, we believe that even complex, high-risk property debt situations can be resolved with the right strategy and negotiation.
While the situation is serious, the transparency and lower leverage levels compared to the 2008 crisis mean that decisive, early action can still preserve value.
If you are a property owner, landlord, or investor struggling with debt, you don’t have to face it alone. Our experienced team offers confidential, obligation-free case reviews and will work with you to find practical, achievable solutions.
📞 Contact Bell & Company today to confidentially explore how we can help protect your assets, reduce debt, and restore financial stability.
I would like to thank Rory and the team for an excellent service and a first class result, a result that was much better than expected. Having Bell and Company on board has lifted all the stress and let me…
Mr Graham – GB
Why Established Businesses Are Now at Greater Risk of Insolvency
Established UK businesses are increasingly at risk of insolvency, often due to HMRC debt. Learn how Bell & Company helps protect viable firms and restore stability.
Read Full Story
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