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Make living expense assessments easier

This article brings together Connective’s key living expense resources to help you apply a consistent, well-documented approach that meets lender and compliance expectations.

Updated over a week ago

Talking through living expenses with Dan and Erminia

In this video, Connective Group Legal Counsel Dan Oh and Compliance Support Manager Erminia D’Oca discuss practical approaches to living expense assessments, including:

  • Why living expenses remain a key compliance focus

  • Common pitfalls brokers encounter when assessing household expenses

  • How to apply reasonable enquiries and verification in practice

  • How Connective’s resources can help you get it right the first time

Use the living expenses eBook

The Smart Mortgage Broker’s Guide to Household Living Expense Assessments eBook explains how to complete living expense assessments for different customer types.

The eBook helps you:

  • Understand what lenders look for in living expense assessments

  • Assess household expenses across a range of client circumstances

  • Apply benchmarks appropriately

  • Clearly document your rationale in the client file

Download a copy below.

Important: Benchmarks should support your assessment, not replace reasonable enquiries into the client's actual expenses.

Use the best practice interview questions

The living expenses eBook works alongside the Connective Best Practice Interview Questions for Good Customer Outcomes.

Using the interview guide helps you:

  • Ask consistent, structured questions

  • Capture more accurate expense information

  • Reduce follow-up questions from lenders

  • Strengthen compliance and audit outcomes

Download a copy below.

Need help?

If you need help with compliance requirements or living expense assessments, contact your Compliance Support Manager or email [email protected]

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