Question 1

Who is PublicSquare best suited to?

Accepted Answer

PublicSquare is best suited to homebuyers under 50 years old in QLD and NSW with stable full-time employment, who would otherwise qualify for a mortgage if it weren't for the high upfront cost barriers such as deposit, LMI, and stamp duty. Some customers also choose PublicSquare because it allows them to keep their savings flexible rather than tying up all their funds in a single property purchase. In some circumstances, we may also accept applicants who require time to build their credit scores or are waiting to receive permanent residency.

Question 2

Is PublicSquare legitimate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PublicSquare is a licensed Australian real estate agency — Queensland licence 4555627 and New South Wales licence 10152702 — and has operated since 2021 from Brisbane. Rent-to-Own is delivered through written contracts that you receive in full before you commit, and we encourage you to have them reviewed by your own solicitor or adviser. Our reviews are published on the website as received from Google, Trustpilot and our own customers, and the model has been covered by Channel 7 and the ABC. We are not a lender and we do not hold your money as a bank would: the home is owned by an investor, and your contributions are recorded and credited to you under the agreement.

Question 3

What is the application criteria?

Accepted Answer

We take a compassionate yet pragmatic approach when assessing applicant suitability. We assess household income, expenses, debts, and access to savings. You can combine income for up to two adult applicants and include expected contributions from family. Some requirements may seem strict but are necessary for the safety and protection of all parties.

Question 4

What is the age limit?

Accepted Answer

All applicants must be under 50 years old. This ensures lenders will still consider you for a mortgage by the time you're ready to purchase, which is typically years 4 to 8 of the lease. We check this from the date of birth you give during pre-approval, and confirm it against your photo ID before the client agreement is signed.

Question 5

What are the credit and bankruptcy requirements?

Accepted Answer

A credit score of 600+ is preferred, but all applications are reviewed individually. Bankruptcy or credit issues can make approval harder, but each case is evaluated pragmatically.

Question 6

How does eligibility vary for non-citizens, pensioners, or people with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility may vary for non-citizens, pensioners, or people with disabilities — check with PublicSquare for tailored guidance.

Question 7

Where is PublicSquare available?

Accepted Answer

PublicSquare is currently available in QLD and NSW, with planned expansion to other states like Victoria subject to regulation.

Question 8

How does the pre-approval process work?

Accepted Answer

Pre-approval is a quick and easy process you can complete online and does not affect your credit history. You start it from your profile. The steps are: an introduction; property preferences (select your preferred location and see its minimum entry point); your broker (provide your existing broker's details, or request a referral to a PublicSquare panel broker — your consent is needed for us to contact them); your household (each applicant's name, date of birth and contact details — you can apply solo or with a second applicant; uploading a photo ID here is optional and fills the details in for you); financials (at least one month of payslips, three months of bank statements, and two years of ATO Notices of Assessment for each applicant); a credit declaration (confirm each applicant is solvent with no credit issues, or describe any matters and attach documents); and submit, where you agree to our Terms of Service. Your application is then reviewed, and you may be asked for more information. Once your documents are cleared, there are three final milestones: a 30-minute demo call with your PublicSquare rep to discuss your homeownership goals and learn more about the platform; a client agreement sent via DocuSign for signing, with a photo ID (passport, driver's licence, or 18+ card) uploaded for each applicant before it goes out, as a licensed agency must verify identity before an agreement is signed; and a one-time engagement fee of $1,100 including GST, payable by card or Apple Pay. The engagement fee is paid once, not per property; if an earlier property doesn't work out, PublicSquare can apply it to another property you select — this transfer is at PublicSquare's discretion once the Agreement Between Buyer and Seller has been issued. It's refundable if you choose not to proceed, provided the Agreement Between Buyer and Seller has not yet been issued — you receive the full engagement fee less a $75 + GST processing fee. Once those milestones are complete, you're pre-approved and can start applying for properties without additional paperwork.

Question 9

How is my buying power determined?

Accepted Answer

Your approved buying power is calculated during the full application period, factoring in your household's income and expenses.

Question 10

What kind of property can I choose?

Accepted Answer

You can choose any house in Queensland or New South Wales, recommended within our platform, provided it falls within your buying power confirmed during pre-approval. Initial home values between $600,000 - $1 million are standard, with higher values considered case by case. Each location also has a minimum entry point — for example, some premium areas like Sydney and the Gold Coast have a minimum entry point of $1 million — so your representative will confirm which locations suit your approved budget. The properties we most commonly help clients secure are 3 and 4 bedroom houses - both new builds (off-the-plan) or established (already built).

Question 11

How does the buyer's agency service work?

Accepted Answer

Our licensed in-house team sources, researches and negotiates the property, and runs all the critical quality checks to help ensure you don't end up with any property headaches down the road. Note that PublicSquare acts as the agent of the property owner, not as your agent, and is paid by the owner in addition to the fees you pay — you are always free to obtain your own independent advice. There is no additional charge to you for this service.

Question 12

How long does it take to secure a property?

Accepted Answer

Once you've passed our application criteria, timing depends on your budget, preferred locations, and when you'd like to move. After you've selected a property, our team can give you a clearer timeline. Some homebuyers will be able to move quite quickly; others will take longer.

Question 13

Who buys and holds the property while I'm preparing to buy it?

Accepted Answer

The property will be purchased by either PublicSquare, its affiliates, subsidiaries, or a member of PublicSquare's investor pool. These investors benefit from incentives such as higher cashflow and future capital appreciation.

Question 14

What fees do I pay to PublicSquare?

Accepted Answer

Our buyers agency assistance — property sourcing, research, negotiation, and quality checks — comes at no additional charge to you as a homebuyer. Several fees do apply as you progress: an engagement fee of $1,100 including GST, payable as one of the final steps of pre-approval before you can apply for properties; a setup fee once the property purchase goes unconditional; and a customer support fee once your lease is underway. The engagement fee is a one-off — you pay it once, not per property. If an earlier property doesn't work out, PublicSquare can apply the engagement fee to another property you select — this transfer is at PublicSquare's discretion once the Agreement Between Buyer and Seller has been issued. It's refundable if you choose not to proceed with the Rent-to-Sell program, provided we haven't yet issued the Agreement Between Buyer and Seller — you receive the full engagement fee less a $75 + GST processing fee. Beyond these, you have no exposure to ownership costs like rates, insurance, or maintenance during your lease. Your PublicSquare representative will confirm current amounts before any payment is due, and you can see the latest pricing on the How It Works page.

Question 15

Is the engagement fee refundable, and do I pay it for each property?

Accepted Answer

The engagement fee is a one-off payment — you pay it once during pre-approval, not per property. If your first property doesn't work out for any reason, PublicSquare can apply the fee to whatever property you go on to secure — this transfer is at PublicSquare's discretion once the Agreement Between Buyer and Seller has been issued. And if you decide not to proceed with the Rent-to-Sell program at all, you can request a refund any time before we've issued the Agreement Between Buyer and Seller — you receive the full engagement fee less a $75 + GST processing fee. Once that agreement has been issued, the fee is no longer refundable, though PublicSquare may at its discretion transfer it to another property.

Question 16

Do I pay a rental bond?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You pay a fixed $2,000 bond at the commencement of your lease, lodged in accordance with the relevant state tenancy legislation — the same protection that applies to any standard rental. The bond is handled under normal tenancy bond rules at the end of your lease. Alongside it, your first two weeks of rent and deposit contributions are payable upfront before you move in, the same as a standard tenancy — your weekly payments then continue as normal from there.

Question 17

Doesn't this cost more than renting?

Accepted Answer

PublicSquare does cost more than standard renting, but you're not simply paying extra rent. You're converting part of your weekly payments into a significant deposit that builds towards your eventual home purchase. Even if you were to rent and save the traditional way, you would still need to save a deposit separately to achieve the same goal.

Question 18

What's the catch?

Accepted Answer

There isn't a hidden one, but there are trade-offs you should weigh. Your weekly payment is market rent plus a contribution equal to 50% of first-year rent, so it is higher than renting the same home. Your price follows a schedule set at the start — you pay the higher of the contracted minimum or an independent valuation — so the deal is defined before you move in, and you switch to a mortgage when you are ready. The option to buy opens in years 4 to 8, so this suits people planning to stay. And you will need to qualify for a mortgage when you buy — pre-approval, a broker and the years of on-time payments are designed to get you there, but a lender's decision cannot be guaranteed. If you cannot get finance, the Sell-Back Guarantee lets you exit through an open-market sale with your contributions returned, less any shortfall.

Question 19

Why not just rent while saving a deposit?

Accepted Answer

PublicSquare homebuyers are looking for more than just a roof over their heads — they want a place to call their own, where they can put down roots and build their lives without the fear of sharp rental spikes or having to move. Our model creates a clear, structured path to ownership, helping you move in sooner and stay on track with a range of perks including buyers agency support and no exposure to ownership costs like rates, insurance, and maintenance.

Question 20

Can I use government grants?

Accepted Answer

You can't use grants like the First Home Owner Grant towards your upfront costs, but you may become eligible to claim them later when you go on to complete the purchase using a mortgage.

Question 21

Do interest rate changes affect my rent or contributions?

Accepted Answer

No. Mortgage interest rate changes do not affect the terms of your agreements with PublicSquare and the property owner.

Question 22

How is the future purchase price calculated?

Accepted Answer

Homebuyers can choose to switch to a mortgage once they've built up a sufficient deposit by years 4–8 of their lease. At that time, the purchase price is determined by an independent market valuation, at or above the pre-agreed minimum. The minimum steps down from 8% growth p.a. in year 4 to 4% p.a. by year 8 — so by the later years of your option window it sits well below the long-term national average of 6.8% per year for Australian houses (CoreLogic 1993–2018).

Question 23

What if property prices fall?

Accepted Answer

Your purchase price is set at the start by a schedule that grows the initial value each year, and at purchase you pay the higher of that contracted minimum or an independent valuation. So a fall in the market does not lower your price. Australian house prices grew at an average of 6.8% a year, compounding, from 1993 to 2018. By years 7 and 8 the contracted minimum (5% and 4% p.a.) sits well below that long-term average. In practice that means the fixed price is a two-way commitment: it locks in your cost in a rising market, and in a falling market you are buying at the contracted figure. If you decide not to buy, or cannot get finance, the Sell-Back Guarantee still applies: the home is sold on the open market, your contributions are returned to you if it sells at or above the minimum, and any shortfall below the minimum is taken from your contributions.

Question 24

What is the 'Sell-Back Guarantee'?

Accepted Answer

The Sell-Back Guarantee gives you a clearer and more secure path to homeownership. It is provided by the property owner under your agreements with the owner — PublicSquare facilitates it and acts as the owner's agent, but does not itself provide or guarantee it. While living in the property, you'll have up to eight years to grow your deposit, improve your credit if necessary, and secure the most competitive loan possible. If you're unable to obtain finance, you have two choices: continue living in the property while your financial circumstances improve, or request an open-market sale by giving written notice, supported by three formal rejection letters from brokers or lenders, at any time in years 4 to 8 of the lease, provided you are not in default — a request the owner is required to accept. If you request a sale, you pay only a fixed marketing fee of $3,300, and the owner covers the sales commission. If the property sells at or above the Minimum Sale Price, your accumulated contributions are returned to you through the Exit Statement, less any weekly payments still outstanding at termination. Any sale proceeds above the Minimum Sale Price belong to the owner. If the sale falls below the minimum, the shortfall is deducted from your accumulated contributions before the balance is returned to you. You'll need to keep up your weekly payments until settlement and vacate five days before settlement.

Question 25

What happens if I fall behind on payments?

Accepted Answer

Contact us early. If you experience temporary hardship, get in touch with PublicSquare straight away — we will liaise with the owner, and any variation to your payment obligations requires the owner's written agreement. All breach notices and tenant protections are handled in full accordance with the relevant state tenancy legislation. Staying current matters, because your Sell-Back Guarantee rights depend on you remaining current with all payment obligations. If you're unable to obtain finance, you can request an open-market sale by giving written notice, supported by three formal rejection letters from brokers or lenders, at any time in years 4 to 8 of the lease, provided you are not in default. The sale terms are then: a fixed $3,300 marketing fee, your accumulated contributions returned through the Exit Statement (less any weekly payments still outstanding at termination) if the property sells at or above the Minimum Sale Price, and any shortfall below the minimum deducted from your accumulated contributions. If, as a last resort, you default and vacate the property, the owner issues an Exit Statement. Your contributions to that point are retained by the owner as the exit fee, and if the exit balance is negative the owner may elect to recover that amount from you over a period of no less than 60 days.

Question 26

What happens if I lose my job or can't keep up the payments?

Accepted Answer

Tell us early. If you hit temporary hardship, contact PublicSquare straight away — we liaise with the owner, and payment arrangements can be varied with the owner's written agreement. All notices and protections follow Queensland and New South Wales tenancy law. Staying current matters because your Sell-Back Guarantee depends on it. If you cannot obtain finance in years 4 to 8, you can request an open-market sale with three lender rejection letters: you pay a fixed $3,300 marketing fee and your contributions are returned to you if the home sells at or above the minimum price. If, as a last resort, you default and leave, the owner keeps the contributions to that point as the exit fee.

Question 27

What happens to my contributions if I leave without buying?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how the lease ends. If you request an open-market sale by giving written notice, supported by three formal rejection letters from brokers or lenders, at any time in years 4 to 8 of the lease, provided you are not in default, and the property sells at or above the Minimum Sale Price, your contributions are returned to you through the Exit Statement, less any weekly payments still outstanding at termination. Any proceeds above the Minimum Sale Price belong to the owner. However, if you default on your payments and vacate the property, your contributions are not refunded. You'll receive an Exit Statement from the owner — your contributions are retained by the owner as the exit fee, and if the exit balance is negative the owner may elect to recover the shortfall from you. This is why we encourage anyone experiencing hardship to speak with us early: we will liaise with the owner, but any variation to your payment obligations requires the owner's written agreement.

Question 28

What happens at the end of the lease if I haven't purchased?

Accepted Answer

You have a window of just under five years — from the fourth year of the lease up to three months before the agreement expires at the end of year 8 — to either complete your purchase or request the property be sold on the open market. If you reach expiry without doing either, all agreements end and your accumulated contributions are retained by the owner as the exit fee. In practice, this outcome is highly unlikely given the structured purchase window available to you throughout the lease.

Question 29

Can I really get a mortgage at the end?

Accepted Answer

That is the goal the whole program is built around, and we anticipate most homebuyers will buy in years 6, 7 or 8. Pre-approval checks your income, savings and credit up front so you start on a footing a lender will recognise; your weekly contributions become the deposit; and years of on-time payments are exactly the history lenders look for. The purchase window runs from year 4 to year 8, so there is time to strengthen your position. Honestly stated: a lender's decision years from now cannot be guaranteed. That is why the Owner's Sell-Back Guarantee exists — if you cannot get finance, you exit through an open-market sale with your contributions returned, less any shortfall.

Question 30

What documents will I sign?

Accepted Answer

You will sign: an agreement with the property owner outlining all terms of the arrangement; a Call Option Deed granting you the right — but not the obligation — to purchase the property within the agreed pricing structure and timeframe; a standard tenancy agreement; and a standard contract of sale when you opt to complete your purchase.

Question 31

Are pets allowed in the selected property?

Accepted Answer

You may keep up to two pets. Any pet over 20kg needs the owner's written approval. Confirm the specifics during property selection and tenancy setup.

Question 32

Is subletting permitted?

Accepted Answer

Subletting is not generally permitted unless agreed in writing with PublicSquare and the property owner. However, it may be an acceptable remedy in times of hardship.

Question 33

How are maintenance and repairs handled during the lease?

Accepted Answer

Repairs and maintenance follow standard rental laws — the owner handles most items. If you need accessibility modifications, government programs such as Queensland's Home Assist Secure can help (outside of PublicSquare).

Cairns Rent-to-Own Homes, 0% Deposit

How It Works

Secure your home without the deposit

Build your deposit while you live in the property

Switch to a mortgage when you're ready

Available Properties in Cairns

Average ~18x cheaper than entering a mortgage.

Rent-to-Buy in Cairns: Tropical Living, Genuine Ownership

How Rent to Buy Works in Cairns

Tropical Lifestyle, Real Ownership

Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions