Is tenant education the key to better outcomes for renters and property managers?

Is tenant education the key to better outcomes for renters and property managers?

Renters are facing record-low vacancy rates, while property managers are under growing pressure as workloads and expectations intensify. Against this backdrop, tenant education is emerging as a potential reset for how the industry supports long-term stability, benefiting both renters and property managers alike. In this episode of the REB Podcast, host Liam Garman speaks with Paul Tommasini, chief executive officer of inCommunity and the Tenancy Skills Institute, about how structured education pathways for tenants could deliver better outcomes across the rental ecosystem – covering budgeting, maintenance and responsibilities. The discussion explores how stable tenancies are becoming increasingly critical in a tight rental market, and how education-led programs are helping tenants build the skills needed to sustain long-term rental relationships while easing pressure on property managers. Tommasini shares how the Tenancy Skills Institute has evolved from supporting young people experiencing homelessness into a broader national initiative, with more than 27,000 participants completing its tenancy education programs. The conversation also examines how early intervention tools like PM Assist are helping property managers identify issues sooner, connect tenants with support services, and reduce the likelihood of disputes escalating to the tribunal. Finally, the discussion challenges common misconceptions around tenancy breakdowns, highlighting the complex mix of financial stress, communication issues and knowledge gaps that often sit beneath rental disputes. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/2yvaRZK] (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook [https://bit.ly/2gr90k8], X [https://bit.ly/2gryU77] and LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/2yqssV8]. If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au [editor@realestatebusiness.com.au] for more insights.

Why the fastest-growing property managers are talking about wealth, not rent

Most property managers focus on rent collection and compliance, but the agencies growing the fastest are helping investors increase returns, build wealth, and uncover value most landlords don't even realise they're missing. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) podcast, Alex Whitlock sits down with Bradley Beer, CEO of BMT Tax Depreciation, to explore one of the most overlooked opportunities in property management and why helping investors grow wealth could be the industry's biggest competitive advantage. Beer argues that property managers and investors share the same goal: building wealth. Yet many agencies still struggle to demonstrate value beyond managing tenancies. The duo highlights how simple conversations around tax depreciation, rental strategy, maintenance planning, and portfolio performance can strengthen client relationships. Beer reveals that many property investors are still leaving thousands of dollars on the table every year by failing to claim depreciation, despite the average first-year deduction from BMT schedules sitting around $12,000. The pair also discuss the growing pressure on fees and why agencies that position themselves as wealth partners rather than rent collectors are far more likely to defend their pricing, improve retention, and grow their rent rolls.

Property Buzz: The buyer's agency shock exposing million-dollar portfolios risked on promises, not performance

Investors are reeling from the sudden liquidation of a prominent buyer's agency, but the real fallout will come from the regulatory reckoning it triggers, not just the immediate financial losses. On the Property Buzz podcast, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman from Momentum Media cut through the noise around the collapse of Dashdot and the wave of speculation hitting the property advice sector. The pair warn that the biggest issue right now isn't just the failed business itself, but the broader rise of industry gimmicks and high-pressure sales tactics that leave everyday consumers incredibly vulnerable. They explore how a controversial offshore share transfer to the British Virgin Islands complicates recovery for stranded creditors, while also raising critical questions about the ethics of demanding 100 per cent upfront fees and offering unbacked performance guarantees. The discussion also highlights how the industry is already reacting behind the scenes, with the sudden promotion of sub-scale, unvetted operators to take over affected clients highlighting a severe lack of professional standards. But despite the noise, the message is consistent. The duo warn that until formal regulatory guardrails and licensing requirements are established, the smartest move for property investors is to stick to "boring", proven professionals and avoid being lured in by social media hype.

Why the end of Perth's boom keeps getting pushed back

While most of the country worries about slowing markets and policy uncertainty, Perth's fundamentals continue to suggest the boom is far from being over. In a special crossover podcast episode of Smart Property Investment and Real Estate Business, Liam Garman sits down with Ashby Farrell from WHTEARCH to explore why Perth continues to outperform while Sydney and Melbourne lose momentum. Farrell explains that Perth's growth is being driven by genuine owner-occupier demand rather than investor speculation, creating a level of resilience rarely seen in other capital cities. The discussion highlights how rising construction costs, labour shortages, and supply constraints are making established homes increasingly attractive, with many properties now impossible to replace at their current market value. The episode also explores the potential impact of proposed changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax, and rental legislation, and why Perth may be better positioned than most markets to absorb any policy shocks. Farrell argues that despite ongoing uncertainty, the fundamentals supporting Perth remain firmly intact, with affordability, population growth, and lifestyle appeal continuing to drive demand. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/2yvaRZK] (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook [https://bit.ly/2gr90k8], X [https://bit.ly/2gryU77] and LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/2yqssV8]. If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au [editor@realestatebusiness.com.au] for more insights.

PMX: From start-up to 3.5k properties: The blueprint behind the growth

Most property management businesses never break through the growth ceiling, but this agency scaled from a garage to 3,500 properties in just seven years. Here is how they did it. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock sits down with Housemark CEO Natalie South to share the systems, structure, and leadership model behind one of Australia's fastest-growing property management businesses. South said that while traditional models often fail to scale, Housemark's focus on relationships, specialised roles, and operational structure has enabled the business to grow rapidly without sacrificing service. The duo highlights the importance of direct communication with landlords, team development, and the creation of clear career pathways to attract and retain top talent. The episode also explores Housemark's expansion into Victoria, where legislative complexity and lower management fees are creating both challenges and opportunities for growth. South shares how technology can improve efficiency and customer experience, but warns that systems alone are not enough without the right people and processes behind them. The duo emphasises that building a property management powerhouse isn't about managing more properties; it's about building a business designed to scale.