First National Property Magazine May 2026

04 RECOGNITION FOR LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE

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UNDERSTANDING RENT INCREASE INVESTIGATIONS

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LEASED IN APRIL Leasing Statistics For April 2026

RECOGNITION FOR REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE

Neilson Partners celebrates standout success at the 2025 First National Victoria & Tasmania State Awards.

First National Real Estate Neilson Partners has again been recognised as one of Victoria’s leading real estate agencies, taking home an impressive list of honours at the 2025 First National Victoria & Tasmania State Awards.

Held at Melbourne’s iconic Plaza Ballroom, the annual event celebrates the highest-performing First National offices and individuals across Victoria and Tasmania. For Neilson Partners, the results were a proud reflection of the team’s ongoing commitment to excellence in property management, sales and customer service across Berwick, Narre Warren, Pakenham and surrounding communities.

Managing Director Todd McKenna said the awards highlight both individual achievement and the collective strength of the broader team.

“These honours reflect the commitment, resilience and dedication of our people, who continue to deliver outstanding customer experiences,” he said.

The office was recognised across several major categories, with the Narre Warren office awarded #6 Property Management Office of the Year and the Reputation Management Award, while the Pakenham office received #10 Sales Office of the Year. The Berwick office also secured Highest Property Management Gross Revenue, reinforcing Neilson Partners’ strong market presence across Melbourne’s south-east growth corridor.

Individual team members were also celebrated for their exceptional performance. Award recipients included Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Award winners, acknowledging excellence across both sales and property management.

Among the standout achievers was Matt Clark, who received special recognition for Highest Number of Lifestyle Settled Sales and Highest Gross Sales Commission for Lifestyle Property In property management Shannon Hynd was ranked among the best in the state.

For local homeowners, investors, rental providers and buyers, these awards are more than internal recognition. They are a strong endorsement of the trusted advice, local knowledge and results-driven service First National Neilson Partners delivers every day.

With the team now progressing to the First National Real Estate National Awards in Da Nang, Vietnam this May, the recognition marks not only a proud milestone, but a promising sign of what lies ahead for one of the region’s most respected real estate names.

LEASED IN APRIL

MAPLETON AVENUE $575PW 4 / 2 / 2 GARFIELD

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JEFFERSON ROAD

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UNDERSTANDING RENT INCREASE INVESTIGATIONS

With recent updates to Victorian rental regulations, rent increases are now assessed on more than just market value alone. There is a broader lens applied to ensure increases are fair, reasonable, and compliant with legislation.

Key Considerations in Rent Increase Reviews

Condition of the Property

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) may consider the overall condition of the property, including any outstanding maintenance or repairs that have not been addressed.

Improvements (or Lack Thereof)

Where there have been no meaningful improvements to the property, this may be taken into account when assessing the appropriateness of an increase.

Comparable Properties

Rather than relying solely on broad market data, assessments look at comparable properties in the immediate area with similar features and condition.

Validity of Notice

Strict compliance is required when issuing a rent increase. This includes using the correct prescribed form and providing a minimum of 90 days’ notice. Any errors may render the increase invalid.

Retaliatory Increases

Increases must not be applied in response to a renter exercising their legal rights, such as requesting repairs or raising concerns.

Scale of Increase

Significant increases, particularly those well above general market movement or CPI trends, may attract closer review.

Supporting Rationale

In some cases, justification for the increase may be requested, particularly where it appears disproportionate to market conditions.

A Practical Takeaway

While rent reviews remain an important part of managing an investment, the approach needs to be well-considered, clearly supported, and procedurally sound.

A thoughtful strategy, grounded in current market evidence and good property stewardship, will always place rental providers in the strongest position.