Rentvesting, explained
Buy an investment property where you can afford one, and keep renting where you want to live.
How it works
You buy a property as an investment and rent it out, while renting your own home elsewhere. The tenant’s rent helps with the loan, and you build equity without moving to a suburb that doesn’t suit your life or work.
What you give up
First home concessions are built for owner occupiers. The First Home Owner Grant and the 5% Deposit Scheme both require you to live in the property. Buying an investment first usually means you no longer count as a first home buyer when you later buy a home to live in. Weigh that against the head start.
How lenders assess it
Lenders count a share of the expected rent as income, commonly around 80%, and count the rent you pay as a living cost. You will usually need a 10% to 20% deposit plus costs, and the rate will be a little higher than for a home you live in.
Tax and the long run
Interest and costs on an investment may be deductible, and capital gains tax can apply when you sell. Get advice from an accountant before you buy. We arrange the lending to fit that advice.
Questions people ask
Can I move into the property later?
Yes. Tell your lender, as the loan type changes. Tax consequences follow, so speak to your accountant first.
General information, last updated November 2026. Scheme figures, lender policies and duty rates change, so confirm them before you rely on them.
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