CBA to restrict greenfield house and land lending

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia plans to introduce restrictions on lending to first-home buyers and investors for property purchases in greenfield housing estates.

The bank has advised brokers that the approval of finance for buyers of land lots would be delayed until all preliminary work on the project has been completed.

Developers now worry that the plan will have an adverse impact on the housing sector in the outer suburbs of Australia’s capital cities.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia plans to tighten conditions for loans to new housing developments, where in a presentation to brokers, seen by The Australian Financial Review.

It noted presentation to brokers, marked "confidential", will restrict pre-sales of houses and likely put further pressure on prices by limiting the supply of houses.  

Currently many developers have to pre-sell many lots on a planned site before a bank will lend money needed to start earthworks and install water, sewerage and electricity services.

The AFR says investors account for as much as 45% of buyers in new housing developments.

"There is no justification for cutting off the credit tap for new residential development," said Harley Dale, the HIA's chief economist.

"It would be very concerning at this point in time if it became more difficult for people to get into a new home, which is the end issue here."