How Investment-Property Loans Are Assessed
Lenders generally consider more than salary or employment income.
The assessment may include:
Income
This can include salary, wages, eligible allowances, existing rental income and proposed rental income.
Lenders may not use all anticipated rental income in their calculations. Policies for rental income and supporting evidence vary between lenders.
Existing debts
Existing home loans, investment loans, personal loans, car loans, credit-card limits and other financial commitments may affect borrowing capacity.
Living expenses
Lenders assess declared living expenses and may apply internal minimum expense measures.
Proposed property
The lender may consider factors such as:
Repayment capacity
The lender assesses whether the borrower can meet repayments under its serviceability criteria. The assessment rate may be higher than the loan’s actual interest rate.
Approval remains subject to the lender’s full assessment, property valuation and credit requirements.
Principal-and-Interest or Interest-Only Repayments
Investment-property loans may offer different repayment arrangements, subject to lender approval.
Principal-and-interest repayments
Each repayment includes:
This generally reduces the amount owing over the loan term when repayments are maintained.
Interest-only repayments
During an approved interest-only period, required repayments generally cover interest without reducing the principal balance.
An interest-only arrangement may result in:
Lower required repayments during the interest-only period
The principal balance remaining unchanged
Higher repayments when the interest-only period ends
Higher total interest over the full loan term
Different lender pricing or assessment requirements
The suitability and tax treatment of repayment arrangements should be discussed with appropriately qualified financial and tax advisers.
LnL Finance can explain the lending features and repayment implications but does not provide taxation or financial-planning advice.