Semi-commercial property returned 30% higher yields than so-called ‘vanilla’ buy-to-let in 2011.

That’s the view of Mortgages for Business in its quarterly Complex Buy-To-Let Index.

Semi-commercial yielded a 7.8% return, bettered only by the 9.9% yield on HMOs.

David Whittaker, managing director at Mortgages for Business, said: “We have broadened our analysis to cover freehold buildings where there is a small commercial element but the greater part is residential. This is in response to demand from landlords whose portfolios are more diverse than the categories we have covered thus far. We hope it generates greater debate for those many landlords being pressure to refinance by the Irish Banks and closer to home