Business Leasing & Commercial Fleet

What is business contract hire?

Business contract hire (BCH) is a contractual vehicle rental arrangement used by eligible businesses. It can provide predictable scheduled rental payments without the business necessarily purchasing the vehicle. Terms, eligibility and accounting treatment vary.

Who may use business leasing?

Depending on provider criteria, limited companies, partnerships and other business structures may be eligible. The type of applicant matters because some finance and hire arrangements are regulated. Providers assess affordability, trading history and other criteria.

Budgeting for company vehicles

Look beyond monthly rental to the initial payment, contract length, permitted mileage, maintenance, insurance, servicing, employee usage and potential end-of-contract charges. Businesses should compare total operating cost and vehicle suitability.

VAT and tax considerations

VAT recovery and tax deductions depend on the business, vehicle type, private use and applicable legislation. Company-car benefit-in-kind rules may also apply. Seek tailored advice from an accountant rather than assuming a lease payment is fully deductible.

Electric and hybrid vehicles

When considering electric or hybrid vehicles, assess charging access, expected mileage, range in real-world conditions, employee charging arrangements and any relevant taxation changes.

Fleet and multi-vehicle requirements

Businesses with several vehicles may value consolidated reporting, predictable replacement cycles, delivery coordination and a single point of contact. We hope to explore fleet-specific comparison functionality as the platform develops.

Development status

LeaseNI is not currently arranging business vehicle leases or introducing applicants to finance providers. We are speaking with established leasing companies about the feasibility of future services.