Understanding own your business premises — stop renting is essential before committing to a home loan, refinance, or investment property purchase. This guide covers the key considerations Australian borrowers face in 2026, the documents you'll need, and how a specialist mortgage broker shortcuts the process.
What Lenders Actually Look At
Lender decisions hinge on three pillars: income (verified, stable, sufficient), expenses and debts (HEM benchmark + actual commitments), and asset/deposit position (savings, gift, equity). Your documentation tells this story — payslips, tax returns, BAS, bank statements, contracts. Specialist lenders weight these differently from major banks, which is why broker selection matters.
Document Checklist
Standard documents: 2 most recent payslips, latest PAYG summary or Notice of Assessment, 3 months bank statements, ID, and proof of deposit. Self-employed applicants additionally need 1–2 years of personal + business tax returns and BAS statements. Investors need rental statements; refinancers need their existing loan statements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying with one bank only, missing 2 years of self-employed history, undeclared overseas income, applying with multiple credit enquiries in 6 months, or applying with high credit card limits. Each of these can downgrade your application unnecessarily. A broker checks for these before submission.
Working with Mortgagefy
Free 20-minute initial call. We assess your situation, document needs, and target lenders. Strategy and document checklist sent to you within 24 hours. Application lodged within 2–5 days of complete documents. Settlement typically 4–6 weeks. No broker fees — lenders pay our commission upon completion.