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Fitout Finance · Finance Lease

Fitout finance lease

Fund fitout on finance lease and lease it over its useful life, with an option to buy at the residual. Indicative rates From ~7.6% p.a. (prime borrower) — subject to credit.

Quick answer

Fitout finance structured as finance lease means you lease it over its useful life, with an option to buy at the residual. Fitout finance funds the build-out cost of retail stores, hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, bars), professional offices and clinics — including cabinetry, joinery, kitchen and bar equipment, refrigeration, lighting, flooring, signage, security and AV. Most NZ fitout finance is structured as hire purchase or chattel mortgage on the itemised supplier invoices.

Is finance lease right for fitout?

Finance leases are popular for equipment like IT and medical gear, turning the cost into a deductible operating expense across the equipment’s useful life.

About fitout finance

Fitout finance funds the build-out cost of retail stores, hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, bars), professional offices and clinics — including cabinetry, joinery, kitchen and bar equipment, refrigeration, lighting, flooring, signage, security and AV. Most NZ fitout finance is structured as hire purchase or chattel mortgage on the itemised supplier invoices. Indicative rates from ~7.6% p.a. with terms typically 36–60 months matched to the lease term and useful life of the fitout.

Why finance lease

  • ✓Lease payments are deductible operating expenses
  • ✓No GST charged upfront on the asset — GST is on each lease payment
  • ✓Often easier approval than a traditional loan for new businesses
  • ✓Predictable fixed payments
  • ✓May suit assets with strong second-hand market (machinery, plant)

Trade-offs to weigh

  • –You do not own the asset during the term
  • –Buying out at end of term usually requires negotiating residual
  • –Less flexibility than hire purchase if you want to sell mid-term

Fitout finance at a glance

Indicative rate
From ~7.6% p.a. (prime borrower) — subject to credit
Typical term
36–60 months (matched to lease and useful life)
Deposit / LVR
Up to 100% of itemised supplier invoices (established business)
Lenders
UDC Finance, Heartland Bank, Spinach

What you can fund

Retail shop fitouts — cabinetry, displays, lighting, POSCafe, restaurant and bar fitouts — kitchen, refrigeration, joineryOffice fitouts — workstations, partitions, meeting rooms, AVClinic and salon fitouts — chairs, cabinetry, treatment roomsSignage, branding and exterior fitoutSecurity, access control and CCTV

How finance lease is treated

Ownership during term Lender owns the asset
Ownership at end of term Lender (with option to purchase at residual)
Who claims depreciation Lender
GST treatment GST on each lease payment (not upfront)

See the full breakdown in the finance lease guide, compare all four structures on the comparison page, or read more on fitout finance.

Rates, terms and LVR are indicative market ranges for guidance only — not a quote, not financial or tax advice, and subject to lender credit approval. Confirm tax and accounting treatment with your accountant.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. Finance Lease is a common way to fund fitout for New Zealand businesses — it means you lease it over its useful life, with an option to buy at the residual. A finance lease is an arrangement where the lender owns the asset and rents it to your business for an agreed term, with you taking on most of the risks and rewards of ownership economically. Lease payments are treated as an operating expense for tax purposes. All applications are subject to lender credit approval.