Last Updated July 3, 2024
What is a Loan Agreement?
A Loan Agreement is a detailed record of a loan between a borrower and lender that usually includes details about how the loan will be repaid. A Loan Agreement also lists the responsibilities both parties have with regards to the loan.
The lender is the person or entity (such as a corporation) that is providing the loan, and the borrower is the person or entity receiving the loan.
LawDepot's Loan Agreement can be used in the following Australian states and territories:
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- New South Wales (NSW)
- Queensland (QLD)
- South Australia (SA)
- Tasmania (TAS)
- Victoria (VIC)
- Western Australia (WA)
A Loan Agreement can also be known as a:
- Loan Contract
- Money Lending Agreement
- Personal Loan Agreement
- Personal Loan Contract
What is the difference between a Loan Agreement and a Promissory Note?
A Loan Agreement is usually chosen for more complex transactions as it includes more detailed information about how the loan will be repaid.
A Promissory Note is typically used for straightforward or simple loan terms, for instance loans between friends or family members.
What is included in a Loan Agreement?
Loan agreements generally include information about:
- The location. Usually, the lender's location is chosen for the Loan Agreement, but if the agreement is for the purchase of assets, then the parties might choose to list the location of the assets in the Loan Agreement instead.
- The lender and borrower. Lender and borrower details include name, address, and whether the lender or borrower is an individual or a corporation.
- The loan amount. The amount of money being lent to the borrower is the loan amount.
- Interest. The Loan Agreement should confirm whether the lender is charging the borrower interest and, if so, provide information about the interest amount.
Should I charge interest in a Loan Agreement?
Although charging the borrower interest isn't necessary, it is a way for the lender to make money on the loan, as well as a way to provide compensation to the lender for the risk involved with lending money to a third party.
LawDepot's Loan Agreement allows you to include compound interest, which is interest calculated based on the original loan amount and the interest that is accumulated from previous periods. You can choose whether the interest is compounded monthly, every six months, or annually.
Does a Loan Agreement need to be notarised?
Generally, a Loan Agreement does not have to be notarised in order for it to be valid, but the benefit of having a notary sign your document is that it adds to its validity in the event that it is disputed.
Keep in mind that depending on the nature of the loan and the jurisdiction where the transaction is taking place, you may be required to have your document notarised or signed by witnesses.