Many people encounter credit problems. It may be that you defaulted on a loan or didn’t pay your phone or utility bills or even declared bankruptcy. There can be a variety of reasons why this happens but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to get a loan or lease.

Check your Credit History – In the first instance, you should check your credit history to find out exactly what is listed on your credit file. Your credit file contains information about all of your credit activity over the past 7 years, including things such as loan and credit card applications, mobile phone accounts and in-store finance. It details application dates, the company that you applied to, the amount that you applied for and what type of credit it was. The file also shows overdue accounts, payment defaults, bankruptcy and court judgement information.

How your Credit History is used – Lenders (banks, finance companies) can access all of the information contained within your credit file, and they use this information along with other details that they collect as part of their application process to determine your credit rating.

There’s a range of options available to you depending on your circumstances. Our experts can help to guide you through the different types of loans, which options you qualify for and the potential pros and cons of each.

Secured loans are commonly used by private individuals buying assets for predominantly personal use.

Whilst you take ownership of the asset at the time of purchase the lender will keep their interest registered until the loan is fully paid. Once the loan is paid in full the lender removes their interest and you have what is known as ‘clear title’.

Unsecured loans are commonly used by private individuals for personal use purchases.

The main feature of an unsecured loan is that you don’t have to provide any collateral as security to the lender.

Hire purchase is suitable when the asset will be used for predominantly (50%+) business purposes. The product is mainly used by ABN holders – companies, sole traders, trusts and partnerships.

Hire Purchase can also be referred to as Commercial Hire Purchase and Term Purchase. Under a hire purchase agreement the lender owns the asset during the term of the loan. The lender registers an interest in the car to show others that they are using it as security for the loan.

A chattel mortgage is suitable when the asset will be used for predominantly (50%+) business purposes. The product is mainly used by ABN holders – companies, sole traders, trusts and partnerships.

Under a chattel mortgage the lender takes the asset(chattel) that you’re using the loan for as collateral. The lender registers an interest in the chattel to show others that they are using it as security for the mortgage.

A lease can also be referred to as a finance lease or asset lease. Under a lease agreement the user (the lessee) pays the owner (the lessor – normally a bank or finance company) for the use of the asset, based on its GST exclusive price. The lessor registers an interest (also known as an encumbrance) in the asset to show others that they are using it as security for the lease.

Whilst you get the benefits of ownership the lessor retains actual ownership of the asset. There is a residual value (balloon payment) at the end of the lease. This is an amount that is offset until the end of the term which has the effect of reducing your regular lease payments (rentals).

A novated lease is a three way agreement (novation agreement) between an employer, employee and lessor (normally a bank or finance company), under which the employee leases an asset and the employer agrees to take on the employee’s obligations under the lease. The employer makes the lease payments (rentals) on behalf of the employee, deducting them from the employee’s pre-tax income. This is also known as salary packaging.

An operating lease can also be referred to as contract hire. Operating leases allow an asset to be leased over a fixed term for a set payment (rental). There is a residual value (balloon payment) at the end of the lease. This is an amount that is offset until the end of the term which has the effect of reducing your regular lease payments (rentals). The lessor (normally a bank or finance company) retains ownership of the asset while the lessee (you, the user) effectively just hires it for a period of time.