Most helpful replyATO Certified Response
Author: BlakeATO(Community Support)Community Support ATO Certified Response7 Feb 2022
Hi @JoannaK
If an SMSF owns a residential property that is rented out, the SMSF is responsible for all associated expenses of the property. For commercial properties, maintenance and repairs generally fall to the owner of the property (SMSF), but it would depend on the contract established with the leasee.
No related parties - members or their families - can access current day benefits from the fund. The fund must be solely established, and all investments must be for, retirement and/or death benefits to members or their dependents. The only exception to this is business real property, which would be a commercial lease.
But because the property would not have already been business real property, it can't be purchased from a related party. The members cannot live on the property, or begin a business on the property, either.