
Get exclusive money-saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Updated
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
If you own a small or emerging business, it can often be difficult to get approval for a business loan. Many lenders will ask you to provide detailed evidence of your trading history and revenue, as well as meet strict lending criteria to be eligible for a loan.
If you're unable to access other forms of business finance and have property you can use as security, a caveat loan can give you quick access to the funding you need.
Learn how caveat loans work, what to look out for, and compare business loans below.
A caveat loan is a short-term business finance option that gives businesses quick access to funding. Like payday loans for individuals, caveat loans offer short turnaround times and short loan terms, but higher interest rates than regular business loans.
A caveat loan is a secured business loan that requires you to use your property or land as security against the loan. You can generally borrow from $1,000 to $50 million, although this will depend on the value of the property you are using as security. Most lenders will let you borrow up to a certain percentage of the value of your property, generally between 70% and 90%, although some may allow you to borrow the full value of the property.
As such, a caveat loan functions much like a second mortgage, and the lender can take ownership of the property (or the amount of equity you used as security) if you fail to repay the loan. This also means you are unable to sell the property or use it as collateral elsewhere until you have paid off this loan.
Most caveat loans are approved within one or two days, and generally offer loan terms of between 1 and 12 months. Unlike other loan types, many caveat loans charge interest on a monthly basis, and interest rates are generally much higher than other business finance options. You are generally not required to provide the documentation that is required with regular business loan applications, such as proof of income, revenue forecasts or a property valuation.
The cost of your caveat loan is mainly determined by the loan amount, the interest rate and the loan term you are offered. Many caveat loans offer loan terms of up to one year and charge interest on a monthly basis, often from 1% per month.
Some lenders will also have a number of fees and charges that you will need to pay as part of your loan. These may include:
You should always confirm with the lender if you will need to pay any fees as part of your loan. You should also always calculate the overall cost of the loan before you apply, to ensure you find the one that is best suited to you and that you can afford to pay back.
A caveat loan is often a last resort for businesses that require finance. As such, it is important that you understand the terms of the loan and are confident you will be able to repay the loan before you apply. While it may seem like an attractive option if you are struggling to secure other funding, a caveat loan is generally only suitable if you meet the following criteria:
If you do not meet all of the criteria above, a caveat loan may not be an appropriate choice for your business.
Before applying for a caveat loan, you should determine if you may be eligible for a regular business loan, as these loans generally offer more flexible loan terms and lower interest rates. You can compare a range of business loans below. 100% confidential application An unsecured business loan with online application and no upfront or early repayment fees.Moula Business Loan
Moula Business Loan
Moula Business Loan
If your business is struggling to manage its cash flow, invoice financing could be an option. This type of business loan is secured by outstanding invoices and comes with reduced risk, no asset requirements or interest payments. You can compare the invoice financing products below.
Off the back of Christmas spending, a finance expert has warned that your Afterpay habits could negatively impact your home loan application.
Our experts crunch the numbers to help you work out the best place to park your money: is it your mortgage or your super fund?
A UCapital unsecured business loan can provide up to $300,000 without security, with repayment terms between 3 and 12 months.
Lenders often give discounts to new borrowers, but not to loyal existing customers. Here's how to work out if you're being charged too much.
Equip yourself with the right know-how to open your own wallpaper business.
From business loans to perfecting your sales expertise, helpful tips for launching your business.
Explore the benefits of rendering a house versus renovating, and the ways which render can improve your home’s overall performance.
Find out how much the average Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs to insure, as well as how to find a prestige car insurer.
Learn the key considerations when it comes to starting and growing your smartphone app company.
From your business structure to pricing, here's what you need to know about starting a rubbish removal business.