SMSF Lending for Property Purchases and Refinancing

An SMSF property loan generally uses a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, or LRBA. This allows the fund to borrow to acquire an eligible property, subject to strict superannuation rules.

The property is held in a separate holding trust while the loan is outstanding. Limited recourse restricts recovery against the SMSF under the arrangement, but any personal guarantees also need careful legal review.

Write Finance helps compare lending options, prepare the application and coordinate lender requirements. Your professional advisers confirm the legal structure, tax implications and whether the investment suits your retirement plans.

No. Both SMSF investment rules and lender requirements apply.

Residential property generally cannot be bought from, occupied by or rented to a fund member or related party. Business premises may qualify for different treatment, subject to specific rules and market-rate arrangements.

Before committing to a purchase, have your accountant and solicitor confirm the property and proposed arrangement meet the relevant requirements. Write Finance assesses lending options and coordinates the application with your advisers.

A holding trust, often called a bare trust, holds legal title to the property on behalf of the SMSF under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement. The SMSF holds the beneficial interest and has the right to acquire legal ownership once the borrowing is repaid.

Your solicitor should advise on the trust documents, purchaser details and timing before you sign a purchase contract.

Write Finance coordinates the documents required by the lender. We do not establish trusts or provide legal or tax advice.

Your solicitor or appropriately qualified SMSF adviser should confirm whether your fund’s trust deed permits the proposed borrowing and whether any changes are required.

We explain the lender’s documentation requirements and coordinate with your adviser to obtain the relevant documents for the finance application. We do not interpret or amend trust deeds or provide legal advice.

For a lending assessment, lenders may request fund financials, income and contribution records, details of the proposed property, evidence of the deposit and cash reserves, and relevant fund and holding-trust documents.

We provide a checklist based on the proposed lender and identify missing application information. Your professional advisers confirm investment suitability, fund compliance and legal requirements before you proceed.

Timing depends on the lender, document completeness, property valuation and complexity of the application. Trust documents or outstanding adviser checks can also affect the timeframe.

After reviewing your lending requirements, we explain the expected steps and confirm current processing estimates with the lender. We help prepare the application and keep you updated on outstanding requirements.

Approval and settlement dates cannot be guaranteed. Speak with us and your solicitor before agreeing to finance or settlement deadlines.

No. Your initial lending consultation is complimentary. We discuss your proposed purchase or refinance, explain lender requirements and outline the application process.

Before you proceed, we explain how Write Finance is paid and disclose any applicable broker fees.

Separate lender, valuation, legal, accounting and financial-advice costs may apply. A free initial consultation does not mean the overall transaction is cost-free.

Yes. With your permission, we coordinate with your accountant, licensed financial adviser and solicitor throughout the lending application.

Each adviser contributes within their professional scope. They advise on investment suitability, tax, fund compliance and legal arrangements where relevant. Write Finance focuses on lender requirements, borrowing assessment, finance options and managing the application through to settlement.