Quick answer
To gather contracts, leases and invoices for a loan, ask the agent or conveyancer for the signed contract of sale, request current lease agreements from your property manager or tenants, and get a written invoice or quote from the supplier for any asset you are buying. Lenders use these to confirm what the money is for and what supports the loan.
Key points
- A contract of sale shows the price, parties, settlement date and conditions.
- Leases prove rental income and the terms behind it, which matters for investment and commercial security.
- Supplier invoices or quotes tell the lender exactly what is being financed and from whom.
- Ask early: solicitors, agents and suppliers all take time to respond.
Why do lenders want contracts, leases and invoices?
Because they explain the transaction. A payslip tells a lender about you, and a bank statement tells them how you manage money. A contract, lease or invoice tells them what the loan is actually for, what it is secured against and, in the case of leases, what income the asset produces. Without them, the lender is guessing.
That is why these documents tend to be requested early in an assessment and why chasing them late is a common cause of delay. The good news is that most of them already exist. Your job is to know who holds each one and ask politely, with a deadline in mind.
What is a contract of sale and how do I get it?
A contract of sale is the signed agreement between buyer and seller. It sets out the property, the price, the deposit, the settlement date and any special conditions such as finance or inspection clauses. In some states the contract is accompanied by a vendor disclosure statement or similar material about the property, and requirements differ between states and territories. Your conveyancer or solicitor will know the local rules.
To get a copy:
- Buying: ask the agent or your conveyancer for the fully signed copy, not just the draft.
- Already signed online: check your email for the platform’s confirmation, which normally includes the signed PDF.
- Refinancing an existing property: your original settlement papers may help, and a title search through the state titles office confirms ownership details. Our guide on property title searches explains this.
- Off-the-plan or new builds: the builder or developer will have the contract and any variations.
If you are still negotiating, your broker can usually start the assessment with a draft and swap in the final version when it is signed. Our property purchase loans page explains how that fits into a normal purchase.
What lease documents might I need?
It depends on the property.
| Property | Documents lenders commonly ask for |
|---|---|
| Residential investment | Current tenancy agreement, property manager statement, rent ledger |
| Commercial property | Lease, renewal options, rent and outgoings summary |
| Vacant investment | Appraisal from an agent or property manager on likely rent |
| Owner-occupied with a granny flat | Any lease for the secondary dwelling |
| Business premises you rent | Your lease, to show security of tenure |
For a leased commercial property, the term remaining, the tenant and the rent review mechanism can all matter to the lender’s view of security. See our commercial property loans page for how lenders look at that. Property managers can normally email a lease and ledger within a day or two, so request them early.
If you are the tenant, a lender financing your business may still ask for your lease, because losing the premises would affect the business.
What about invoices and quotes for assets?
When you finance a vehicle, machine, fit-out or other asset, the lender usually wants a document showing exactly what is being bought. That might be:
- A supplier tax invoice or formal quote with the asset description, price, GST and serial or VIN details.
- For private sales, a signed sale agreement and ID details for the seller.
- For used items, a condition report, service history or valuation.
- For fit-outs and works, a builder’s quote with scope and staging.
Lenders can then confirm that the asset exists, the price is sensible and funds go to the right party. Our page on private-sale asset finance covers what is different when there is no dealer involved.
What if I need the money before the paperwork is ready?
Timing mismatches happen. A deposit is due, a settlement date is fixed, but a lease has not arrived. In those cases, tell your broker what is outstanding. Some structures, such as a short-term settlement gap loan, exist for situations where the usual timeline is squeezed, although they depend on the lender and the security and are not available to everyone.
An illustrative example
This is an illustrative scenario with no real names.
A small business owner is buying a commercial unit that comes with an existing tenant. Her broker asks for the signed contract, the lease, a rent ledger and the vendor’s outgoings statement. The agent sends the contract the same day, but the lease takes a week because the property manager is on leave. She rings the agent, who prompts the manager, and the lease arrives with a few days to spare.
Had she waited until the lender asked, the valuation and credit assessment might have stalled. The lesson is simple: ask for the slowest documents first.
How do I keep everything organised?
- Create one folder, digital or physical, for the whole transaction.
- Save every document as a clear PDF with a plain file name, for example “Contract signed” or “Lease 2025”.
- Keep a list of who you have asked and when.
- Check each document is complete: all pages, all signatures, all schedules.
- Do not edit or annotate documents sent to lenders.
Our general documents checklist and get loan ready guide help you line this up with income and ID evidence.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Sending an unsigned or partial contract.
- Providing an expired lease without saying whether it has been renewed.
- Forgetting special conditions or side letters that change the deal.
- Relying on verbal agreements about rent.
- Assuming the supplier’s quote includes everything. Check extras, delivery and GST.
- Waiting for the lender to request each document separately.
How does Ownright help?
We read the paperwork with you, point out what lenders will focus on and chase gaps early. Trevor Scott’s team has handled everything from straightforward purchases to complicated deals with unusual leases, and we work with borrowers in every state and territory. The goal is a file that is complete the first time it goes in. Once your documents are in hand, start an enquiry here and we will check them for gaps.
Ready to move from paperwork to a loan?
Sounds like you are looking for finance to match a real transaction, whether that is a property, a lease-backed investment or an asset. We are the lending experts in turning contracts, leases and invoices into a workable loan structure, so click the button and see if you qualify.
Frequently asked questions
What is a contract of sale?
It is the written agreement between buyer and seller for a property, setting out the price, the parties, the deposit, the settlement date and any special conditions. Lenders want the signed copy because it confirms the purchase price and timeline, which drive how much you borrow and when funds are needed.
Where do I get a copy of my contract of sale?
Ask the real estate agent, or the conveyancer or solicitor acting for you. If you signed through an online platform, a copy is usually emailed to you. For an existing property you own, your conveyancer or the original settlement papers may hold it, and the title can be searched through your state titles office.
Which lease documents will a lender want?
For a residential investment, the current tenancy agreement and a rental ledger or property manager statement. For commercial property, the lease, any renewal options and a summary of rent and outgoings. If the property is vacant, expect questions about how and when it will be leased.
Why do lenders ask for an invoice for equipment or a vehicle?
An invoice or quote shows the asset, the supplier, the price and any extras, so the lender can confirm what the funds will buy and who will be paid. For private sales, a signed sale agreement or a vehicle history report can fill the same role.
What if the seller or supplier is slow to send documents?
Tell your broker straight away. Sometimes the conveyancer or supplier can send documents directly, and a short follow-up call often moves things along. If a settlement or delivery date is close, your broker can sometimes advise on options that buy time, though that depends on the lender and the circumstances.