Thinking about buying a property for your business or expanding your investment portfolio? A commercial property loan could be the key to making it happen. Unlike a standard home loan, this type of finance is designed specifically for purchasing or refinancing properties used for business purposes such as offices, warehouses, retail shops, or industrial sites. Commercial property loans are popular among business owners who want to own their own premises and investors seeking higher rental returns and longer lease terms compared to residential properties. For business owners, owning your workspace not only adds stability but can also be a smart long-term investment strategy.
However, commercial property loans tend to be more complex than standard home loans. The approval process involves assessing the property’s potential income, your business financials, and the overall loan structure. Hence, it is essential to prepare the right documents for your application.
It’s easy to confuse commercial property loans with business loans, but they serve different purposes.
The documentation you submit serves as the foundation of your loan application. It enables the lender to assess serviceability, verify ownership, and confirm the property’s value. While requirements vary depending on the product and structure, most lenders commonly ask for:
We know commercial lending can be confusing, that’s why our Loan Consultants are here to help. Speak to a Yard Loan Consultant today for a personalised checklist and loan assessment.
Yard recognises that every borrower’s situation is unique and that income streams today can be diverse. The documents needed for a commercial property loan will vary depending on the type of loan you’re applying for. Yard offers four types of commercial property loans, each designed to suit different income sources, ownership structures, and financial documentation levels.
For example, borrowers with complete financial records may qualify for a Low Rate Commercial Loan, while self-employed applicants without full tax returns might consider a Low Doc Commercial Loan. Investors relying on rental income could benefit from a Lease Doc Commercial Loan, and those purchasing property through a superannuation structure may choose a Commercial SMSF Loan.
Each loan type offers distinct features and requires different forms of income verification, as outlined below.
A Low Rate Commercial Loan is a type of commercial property loan designed for borrowers who can provide full financial documentation and are seeking competitive interest rates. It’s secured against a commercial property and can be used to purchase, refinance, or renovate a property for either investment or owner-occupied purposes.
Loan terms can range from 3 to 30 years, with options for Principal & Interest (P&I) or Interest Only (IO) repayments, and features like additional repayments, offset facilities, and no annual reviews. Yard’s Low Rate Commercial Loan offers up to 80% LVR, enabling eligible borrowers to finance up to 80% of a property’s value with a minimum 20% deposit. Loan amounts are available up to $3 million, subject to property type and loan criteria.
Borrower and entity
Financial position
Security and income
A Low Doc Commercial Property Loan is a flexible finance solution designed for self-employed borrowers or companies that can’t provide full tax returns. Yard takes a personalised approach to commercial lending, offering alternative income verification options such as accountant letters or Business Activity Statements (BAS) when traditional financial documents aren’t available. The loan is secured against commercial property and can be used to purchase or refinance premises for either owner-occupation or investment.
Similarly, it offers loan terms of 3 to 30 years, with options for Principal & Interest (P&I) or Interest Only (I&O) repayments, and features such as additional repayments, redraw, and no annual reviews. Borrowers can access loan amounts up to $3 million, with acceptable securities including offices, retail spaces, industrial units, and mixed-use properties.
Borrower and entity
Alternative income verification can include one or more of the below methods:
Security
A Lease Doc Commercial Loan is designed for investors seeking a streamlined way to finance tenanted commercial properties. Instead of requiring full tax returns or financial statements, this loan is assessed primarily on the rental income generated from the property’s lease agreement. It’s an efficient option for borrowers with established tenants or non-traditional income structures who want to purchase, refinance, renovate, or consolidate business debt.
Key features include loan terms of up to 30 years, with flexible Principal & Interest (P&I) or Interest Only (I&O) repayment options, as well as features such as additional repayments, redraw, and no annual reviews. Borrowers can access loan amounts up to $3 million, with eligible securities including offices, retail outlets, industrial spaces, mixed-use premises, medical suites, childcare centres, serviced apartments, and student accommodation. Lenders generally assess the quality of the tenant, the strength and stability of the lease, and the property’s location when determining loan eligibility and interest rates.
By focusing on the reliability of lease income rather than full financial statements, Lease Doc loans provide investors with a flexible, efficient, and strategic way to access funding. For a deeper understanding, refer to our comprehensive guide to lease doc commercial loans for a detailed breakdown of how commercial lease doc loans works and what lenders look for.
Borrower and Entity Documents
Lease and Income Evidence
Security Documents
A Commercial SMSF Loan is a specialised lending solution that enables Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) trustees to purchase or refinance commercial property within their superannuation structure. Instead of relying on complex financial statements, the loan is assessed based on the fund’s overall position and rental income from the property, making it ideal for investors with established SMSFs looking to diversify their portfolio.
Yard’s Commercial SMSF Loan offers variable rates outlined in our current rate schedule, with flexible Principal & Interest (P&I) or Interest Only (I&O) repayment options and loan terms of up to 30 years. Borrowers also benefit from no annual reviews, helping to maintain stability and reduce administrative requirements throughout the loan term.
Key features include the ability to make unlimited additional repayments at any time without penalty, a 100% offset facility (optional) to help reduce interest costs, and online account access for convenient management and tracking of repayments. Borrowers can access loan amounts from $150,000 up to $3.5 million, with up to 80% loan-to-value ratio (LVR) available. This loan is suitable for a wide range of income-producing commercial properties, including offices, warehouses, retail spaces, and mixed-use premises, and provides a strategic opportunity to combine superannuation investing with commercial property ownership to support long-term wealth growth.
Fund structure and compliance
Loan and security
Yard is an online home loan specialist that helps self-employed business owners and salaried professionals find the right loan, including for commercial property investments. Our step-by-step guide to applying for a loan online makes it easy to stay organised and confident throughout the process. The process is as simple:
Chat with one of our Yard Loan Consultants about your business structure, investment goals, and the type of property you’re looking to buy or refinance.
Our Loan Consultants will guide you on a relevant checklist to prepare your documents. They can also help identify alternative income verification options if needed.
Yard reviews your financials, lease information and property details. A valuation will be arranged to confirm market value.
Once approved, loan contracts are issued for review. Upon signing, Yard coordinates settlement and liaises with your conveyancer.
Preparing the right documentation can make all the difference in securing a commercial property loan. Whether you’re an experienced investor or purchasing your first business property, being organised and understanding what lenders need will help you move faster and with confidence. Yard’s Loan Consultants can guide you through every step, from structuring your application to verifying income so you can secure a property-backed finance solution that supports your long-term business goals. Contact us today to get started.
Yes, for investment properties, lenders will typically use lease income to assess your borrowing capacity, particularly for lease doc loans.
Not always. Yard’s low doc commercial property loan allows alternative income documentation, ideal for self-employed borrowers who do not have lodged tax returns available. A lease doc option relies solely on the property’s rental income for assessment, without reviewing the borrower’s full financial position.
Deposits typically range between 20-30% of the property value. However, this varies based on the commercial product, property type, lease income, and borrower profile.
You can get started in minutes by completing an online application here. A Yard Loan Consultant will reach out within 24 hours. Simply tell us about the property you’re purchasing or refinancing and provide a quick overview of your income, employment, assets, and expenses.
Once submitted, your dedicated Loan Consultant will review your requirements and guide you through the next steps. You’ll then upload your supporting documents through our secure portal, and we’ll assess your application. The assessment typically takes two business days, and once approved, you’ll receive and sign your loan documents online. We’ll then coordinate directly with your conveyancer to complete the settlement. Read more on how to apply for a Yard loan here.
No. A commercial property loan is a mortgage secured against a commercial building, while a business loan funds operations or working capital. The property serves as collateral for the loan.
A GSA secures all present and future assets of a business in addition to the mortgaged property. It gives the lender further protection if the borrower defaults.
Applying for a home loan with Yard is a streamlined process. With a simple online application and dedicated support from our team throughout the entire process, you can quickly move towards your home ownership goals.
If you provide all the required documents our application assessment time is 2 business days. If a physical valuation is required this typically takes 2-3 business days to complete as a valuer needs to inspect your property. These are often faster approval timeframes compared to traditional lenders.
Yes, you can transfer a commercial property you own into your SMSF. Unlike residential property, an SMSF can purchase commercial property from a related party (e.g., yourself or your business). This is allowed under the business real property exemption, provided the transaction is conducted at market value.
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Service requests: help@yard.com.au
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