Rent-to-own vs a mortgage, week by week
It depends on the home value and the interest rate, so put a price in and compare the two totals. The rent-to-own week includes an extra 50% that builds your deposit; the mortgage week includes principal that builds equity. Rates, insurance and maintenance sit only with an owner. Your portal shows the weekly figures for every home you submit, once you're pre-approved for rent-to-own homes.
Look at the two totals first, then at where the money goes. Under rent-to-buy the extra 50% is building your deposit; under a mortgage the principal part of each repayment is building your equity. Rates, insurance and maintenance are an owner's costs, so they sit only on the mortgage side — edit them if your numbers are different.
What the weekly cost calculator assumes
- Market rent is 4.5% of the home value a year for a house and 5% for an apartment, divided into weeks.
- The extra 50% is 50% of the first year's market rent and never changes. PublicSquare's buyer's agency fee is paid in 260 weekly instalments over 5 years, with no interest; after that, optional support is $22 a week including GST.
- The mortgage is principal and interest over 30 years at 6.0%, indicative only.
- Council rates $3,000 a year, home insurance $2,200 a year and maintenance 1% of the home value a year — all editable.
- Rent growth is capped at 4% a year under the program.
Frequently asked questions
The listed rent, an extra 50% of the first year's rent on top, and PublicSquare's buyer's agency fee instalment for the first 5 years. The extra 50% is credited to you as your deposit when you buy.
100% free to sign up · Takes 2 minutes
Written by
Buyer's Agent
Licensed agent · Former mortgage broker
Over 10 years’ experience as a mortgage broker and real estate agent, now a licensed buyer’s agent with PublicSquare since 2021. He has worked on 100+ property transactions and knows the Queensland and New South Wales markets and the Rent-to-Own model well.
Reviewed by
Founder & CEO
Licensed real estate agent
I started PublicSquare in 2021 to give homebuyers a real path to ownership without a deposit, and landlords a stronger-cashflow alternative to a standard rental. I hold real estate licences in Queensland and New South Wales and personally review every property that enters the program.
How this calculator was made
Written by Jarrod Wills (Buyer's Agent) and reviewed for accuracy by Dean Arnold (Founder & CEO) before publishing. Program terms are quoted from PublicSquare's own Contract and Appointment documents. We check it again whenever the numbers change; it was last updated 21 October 2026.
For more information, visit our Editorial Guidelines.
Read more about Rent-to-Own.
This calculator is general information only and does not take your personal circumstances into account. PublicSquare is a licensed real estate agency, not a financial adviser or credit provider. Consider seeking independent advice before making a decision.
