Changing bank security costs?

Rob asks:
(updated on Tuesday, January 08th 2013)

I bought a rental in 2009 using my home as security. This was because the value of my home was greater than that of the rental and I didn't have a large deposit. After paying off some principle, I substituted security for the loan so the rental loan is now secured by the rental property. I did this partly to free up my home (allowing me to potentially use it as security for a future purchase)and to secure the loan by the relevant property. How should I treat the cost (legal and bank fees) of substituting the security? Should these be regarded as expenses associated with that rental or perhaps capitalised on the value of that property or the next property if I purchase one?

Our Experts Answer:

It seems clear that the loan in question was used to buy the income earning rental property so it has a clear nexus with income. Provided the security alteration is aligned with the same income earning process the costs of making the change should be deductible.

Most Read

Unity First Home Buyer special 3.99
SBS FirstHome Combo 3.99
ICBC 4.25
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 4.35
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 4.45
TSB Special 4.49
ANZ Special 4.49
ASB Bank 4.49
SBS Bank Special 4.49
Unity Special 4.49
Westpac Special 4.49
TSB Special 4.00
Kiwibank Special 4.49
Kainga Ora 4.49
Nelson Building Society 4.59
ICBC 4.59
Unity Special 4.65
SBS Bank Special 4.69
ANZ Special 4.69
BNZ - Std 4.69
Westpac Special 4.75
ASB Bank 4.75
ICBC 4.99
Kainga Ora 5.15
SBS Bank Special 5.29
Westpac Special 5.29
BNZ - Std 5.29
Kiwibank Special 5.39
TSB Special 5.39
ASB Bank 5.45
AIA - Go Home Loans 5.45
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 5.49
BNZ - Classic 5.59
SBS FirstHome Combo 3.29
AIA - Back My Build 3.34
SBS Construction lending for FHB 3.74
CFML 321 Loans 3.95
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 4.99
Co-operative Bank - Standard 4.99
Heartland Bank - Online 5.30
ICBC 5.39
Kiwibank - Offset 5.65
Kiwibank 5.65
Kainga Ora 5.69