Access Home Loan

Access Home Loan FAQs

• Q What impact is coronavirus (COVID-19) having at Keystart?
  A

  Please read our coronavirus (COVID 19) update.

• Q What home modifications can I make?
  A

  This will depend on the nature of the disability but could include things such as making a home wheelchair accessible or alterations to your kitchen and bathroom.

• Q My child has a disability. Does that qualify me for an Access Home Loan?
  A

  This will depend on whether your child has an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment that impacts your housing needs, in terms of housing design, amenity level or proximity to appropriate medical and support services. Please get in touch so we can help you through an assessment of your situation.

  Get in touch
• Q How does Keystart assess the impact my disability has on my home?
  A

  The disability must be a continuing condition that is permanent, or likely to be permanent and restricts everyday activities. You will need to provide evidence that the disability impacts your housing needs to the extent you need to relocate to be near to support services or you need to have a purpose built or modified home.

• Q How does shared ownership work?
  A

  Shared ownership loans allow you to purchase a share in your property until you are in a position to buy the property outright. This helps to reduce your ongoing monthly repayments.  A co-owners agreement will exist between you and the Housing Authority that sets out your rights and responsibilities under this loan type. 

  Whenever you wish to increase your ownership share, the property will be independently valued and the value of the Housing Authority's share will be based on the market value of the property at that time.  

  All about shared ownership guide
• Q Can I sell my home at any time?
  A

  Yes.

  If you wish to sell your home, a valuation will be conducted to determine the current market value and minimum sale price. The Housing Authority has the first option to purchase the property from you. If the Housing Authority does not take up this option, you can sell the property on the open market. Any capital improvements you have made to the property since the initial purchase will be credited to you and taken into consideration when calculating the value of the Housing Authority's share of the sale price. You can get a list of the possible capital improvements so you can see what may be included. 

  Get in touch
• Q Can I get a loan if my sole source of income is Centrelink payments?
  A

  You may qualify for a loan based solely on Centrelink income however the loan amount will be based on your income level and may not be enough to buy a property. 

  How much can I borrow?
• Q Does the Housing Authority share the costs of owning a home?
  A

  No. As the Housing Authority do not charge any interest or rent on their share in the property they do not contribute towards the costs of owning the home. You are responsible for general maintenance costs, payments for your rates, insurance, any strata levies and property valuations. 

  All about shared ownership
• Q Can I choose the percentage I own?
  A

  No. The percentage you own in a shared ownership home loan will be determined by your borrowing capacity and the property value. As the Housing Authority want to assist as many people as they can into shared home ownership, it needs to ensure it does not contribute more than is required.

• Q Am I free to sell my home?
  A

  You can sell your home at any time but you need to first contact Keystart to arrange a valuation. This will determine the current market value and minimum sale price and will also take into consideration any capital improvements you have made since the initial purchase.

  The Housing Authority have the first option to buy the property but if they choose not to buy it, the property can be sold on the open market. Note, this is for flexible shared ownership home loans properties only, fixed shared ownership loans can only be sold back to the Housing Authority.

  All about shared ownership guide
• Q Can I increase my ownership in my shared ownership property?
  A

  Generally yes, and we encourage you to do so. But the answer will be dependent on the type of shared ownership property you are looking at.

  If it is a ‘Flexible’ property you can increase your ownership whenever you can afford to.  Stamp duty concessions and incentives may apply.

  If it is a ‘Fixed’ property the Housing Authority will always retain their portion of the property. If however, you decide to sell your share back to the Housing Authority based on the current market valuation, you can use this equity to buy another property.

  A guide to shared ownership
• Q Can I make improvements to my property?
  A

  All homes need maintenance and you may find you have some great ideas on improvements to your property too. You can make improvements to your home at any time, providing these have been approved by Keystart on behalf of the Housing Authority. If approval for the improvements is required from the relevant local authority, you must provide Keystart with a copy of the approved plans. All work must be carried out by a registered builder.

  Your hard work may be taken into account too when you look at selling or refinancing your home, as certain home improvements are considered to add value to your property. Read more in our guide to shared ownership.

  All about shared ownership
• Q Will I have to have property inspections?
  A

  No. No more rent inspections!  The Housing Authority don't conduct inspections on their shared ownership properties. As long as you maintain the property and comply with your obligations under the mortgage and Co-owners Deed you will be left to occupy the property peacefully and without disturbance. Enjoy!

  All about shared ownership
• Q Do the Housing Authority charge rent on their share in the property?
  A

  No, the Housing Authority do not charge rent or interest on their share.

  The only repayments you will be required to make are those stipulated under your loan contract with Keystart, that is your loan repayments for your share of the loan.

  You do need to pay all rates, insurance and maintenance on the property, as the Housing Authority does not contribute towards these costs. 

  All about shared ownership
• Q What is shared home ownership?
  A

  Shared home ownership is an initiative that helps reduce both the upfront costs and ongoing loan repayments associated with home ownership.

  With shared home ownership, the Housing Authority co-own a property with you, meaning your deposit doesn’t need to be as big and your loan repayments will be lower as they are based on your share in the property. The Housing Authority percentage of ownership will be dependent on the loan product you choose, the property value and the loan amount you qualify for.

  All about shared ownership
• Q Do you do interest only loans?
  A

  No. As we are focused on helping more people start their home ownership journey, we do not offer interest only loans or loans for an investment property. All of our loans are principal and interest home loans. 

• Q Other than the deposit, what other costs are there?
  A

  Some of the other upfront costs you may incur when buying a home include application fees, legal/conveyancing fees, transfer fees, government stamp duty, inspection fees (building/termite), settlement agent fees, building insurance and water/shire rates. 

  You may also need to consider your moving costs if you need to hire a truck or removalists. Maybe friends and family can help?

• Q Am I eligible?
  A

  Keystart has some set eligibility criteria. You can find out more about your loan requirements or you can find out if you would be eligible by completing pre-qualification. This takes about five minutes. 

  Before you apply

  Do you qualify?
• Q Do I have to be employed to get a loan?
  A

  Yes, you do need to have a stable income or regular employment for at least six months. 

  Keystart accepts some Centrelink benefits as income, but your total income affects the amount you will be able to borrow.

  How much can I borrow?
• Q Do I need to show savings history?
  A

  No. We do not require savings history but will request statements for any bank accounts you have as well as statements for any existing loans, credit/store cards and rental history. This is so we can establish your ability to manage your finances.

  How much can I borrow?
• Q I already own a home but want to apply for a Keystart loan as well. Is that possible?
  A

  Unfortunately you cannot be considered for any Keystart products if you already own a property. Keystart assists people to get started on their home ownership journey. We require you to owner occupy the home for the life of the Keystart loan. 

  If you are in a situation where you will not own a home at the time of settlement, for example if you are in the process of selling your existing home, you may still be eligible. Get in touch to find out more.

  Get in touch
• Q Why have the income limits been set at specific caps for each region?
  A

  Keystart has undertaken a great deal of research to determine the income levels that assist the greatest number of Western Australians into a reasonable standard of housing. These limits are continually reviewed and will be amended if necessary.

• Q I have owned a property before. Can I apply?
  A

  Yes you can. Subsequent home buyers are eligible to apply as long as you don't currently own or part own any other home or land. 

  How much can I borrow?
• Q Can I rent out my property?
  A

  We aim to help more people on the journey to home ownership. In line with this vision, we do not offer loans for investment properties and you're required to occupy the property as your principal place of residence.

  However, we understand things change and you may find yourself in a situation where you are unable to stay in your home. If you have explored all options to either sell or refinance, you can contact us to discuss your circumstances. We look at each situation on a case by case basis.