Rental bond loans for Aussies – Finance your moving-in costs
In Australia, getting ok’d for a rental property typically means you’ll have to pay a rental bond before you put your foot inside the door. If the landlord asks for more than your pocket’s worth, rental bond loans could be a handy solution.
What’s a rental bond and a rental bond loan?
If a rental bond is the security deposit for your new apartment, then a rental bond loan is money you borrow to cover such a cost. The payment generally acts as protection or insurance for your landlord in case you breach the terms of your lease. For instance, you (or a pet) might damage the property, or you might skip out too early on your lease.
To ensure you take the financial fall for any of these losses, the landlord or agent will ask for a rental bond before you move into the premises. The money is usually lodged in an account until you move out of the rental accommodation. You then get a full, partial, or no refund depending on how well you’ve stuck to the terms of your tenancy agreement.
Why choose a bond loan?
Typically, the amount required for a rental bond rings up to between two and four weeks worth of rent. For some Aussie renters, adding this amount to a budget that’s already covering removal van costs and rent advances can put them in the red.
At times, a tenant might be waiting on their previous rental bond, but the clock’s already ticking on their new move. A rental bond loan, therefore, supplies the cash needed, which helps to lower moving stress. It also lessens the financial hassle of meeting upfront rental and moving costs since the loan repayments happen over time.
What are your rental bond loan options?
Here’s a quick list of finance options that can help swing the doors open for your new occupancy:
Unsecured personal loans
Some Australian lenders offer small unsecured personal loans with easy approval and a fast cash deposit into your bank account. Loan amounts are usually capped at $10,000, and loan terms may be squeezed shorter. If you’re looking for a competitive interest rate, personal loans are generally a step-ahead of credit cards or payday loans.
Specialist loans
There are also private bond loan providers that specialise in helping tenants sort out their rental bond. Once the provider signs off on your application, they’ll wire the money to your account or straight to the landlord/agent. After you settle in, you then repay the debt in smaller instalments.
Payday loans
These are also called short term loans because repayment periods generally vary between 16 days and 6 months. They’re more suitable for borrowers hunting for smaller bond amounts of less than $2,000, although maximum limits for each lender may vary. Most payday loan lenders have impressive response times, with some outperforming the usual same-day offers to deliver the cash within minutes of your application. Some are also welcoming of bad credit borrowers and those with low incomes.
The flip side is they offer steep rates that can cripple you financially if you’re already strapped. But there are a few things you can do to avoid the pitfalls:
- Check the reputation of your lender. Reputable lenders are generally licenced, easy to contact, and don’t have predatory fees and charges.
- Look out for hidden fees. Some disreputable lenders not only overprice their financial products, but they might not fully disclose their fees. It’s up to you to ask or comb through the fine print.
- Negotiate with your lender. If you’re a borrower struggling to hold up your end of the deal, it’s best to contact the lender. Most are willing to work out something to help you avoid costly late payment charges and legal fees.
Government assistance loans
Across the country, state governments offer a slew of interest-free loans that help keep low-income renters afloat. Learn more about available options below and click on the relevant link if you want to dig for more info:
- Northern Territory. You can get Bond Assistance if you’re 18 years and above and under gross income and asset limits.
- Western Australia. The Bond Assistance Loan Scheme is available if you’re 16 years or older and under income limits.
- South Australia. If your rent is less than $450 a week and you have an independent income, you might be able to qualify for a Private Rental Assistance Program.
- New South Wales. You can apply for a Rentstart Bond loan if you meet residency, assets, income, and social housing requirements.
- Australian Capital Territory. A Rental Bond Loan can help you if you’re at least 16 years old and living in the ACT with less than $10,000 in cash or savings.
- Queensland. To get a Bond Loan, you must be an Australian resident who doesn’t own property. You must also meet the income limits and other requirements. You can also get a rental grant of 2 weeks rent if you qualify for a bond loan.
- Tasmania. There’s no government scheme in place, but eligible people can apply for bond assistance through AnglicareTas.
Compare rental bond loans in Australia
Getting the right rental bond loan means you should keep a sharp eye on several factors when comparing options:
- Interest rates and fees. Whether you’re opting for a fixed or variable rate, consider interest and fees as a package deal that’ll curb your loan’s total cost when kept low. Standard fees like establishment fees and monthly fees should be competitive. Also, try to avoid “add-on” fees like redraw fees and early repayment fees.
- Monthly repayments. Enter your preferred amount and term into our rental bond loans calculator above. This will help you figure out a monthly repayment that’s stress-free for your budget.
- Repayment flexibility. Want to double down on your repayments? Look for an option that gives you the extra freedom to shrug off your debt faster so you can rein in finance costs. On top of that, you must be able to have your pick of weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayments.
How to apply for a bond loan online
If you’re using our product table above to vet your options, simply click “Go to Site” to visit the right lender’s website and submit an online application. To be eligible, most lenders require that you be an Australian resident who is 18 years or older with a stable income. You’ll also need to supply supporting documents, including your passport, payslips, and banking statements.
Popular personal loans searches
View all search queries
