Congratulations - Your Super Owns a Property. Now What?
Settlement day feels great. But it's not the finish line. It's the start of the "E" in S.I.M.P.L.E. - Empower for Life. Here's what the first 12 months look like.
Month 1: Property Manager and First Tenant
A professional property manager takes over the day-to-day. They find and vet tenants, manage the lease, and handle maintenance requests. One critical rule: rent must be paid into the SMSF bank account - not your personal account. The fund owns the property, so the fund receives the income (Source: ATO - "Income and expenses of an SMSF", 2025).
Not your personal bank account. The fund's bank account. This is the rule.
Months 1-6: Cash Flow
Rental income flows in. Loan repayments flow out. Insurance, rates, and management fees are covered by the fund. The goal is positive or neutral cash flow - where the rent covers (or nearly covers) all the ongoing costs.
If there's a shortfall, your ongoing super contributions help bridge the gap. This is why the "M" step (Map Your Finance) is so important - we model all of this before you buy.
Month 6: Quick Health Check
Review rental yield versus projections. Check property condition. Review the SMSF bank account balance and buffer. Not a crisis meeting. A quick check to make sure everything is tracking as expected.
Month 9-12: Annual Compliance
Every SMSF must lodge an annual return and have an independent audit. Member statements are prepared. Your investment strategy is reviewed and updated. This is required by law - it's not optional (Source: ATO - "Annual reporting for SMSFs", 2025).
Typical annual compliance cost: $2,000-$4,000 for accounting and $500-$1,000 for the audit. Your SMSF accountant handles the heavy lifting.
What Makes Delphi & Co Different
Most buyer's agents disappear after settlement. Delphi & Co stays for annual reviews, ongoing strategy sessions, and portfolio planning.
According to Adel Pearce: "The 'E' in S.I.M.P.L.E. is the most important letter. Because wealth isn't built at settlement. It's built over the next 10, 15, 20 years."
Not Yet Started?
If you're still exploring, the Delphi Scorecard helps you understand your position. For the full journey from start to settlement, read our complete SMSF property guide.
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General information only. Not personal financial advice.