Shaping rental futures: the influence of private landlords

Australia’s rental market is under intense strain, with rents at record highs, vacancy rates at historic lows, and more than one in four households depending on private landlords for their housing.

With social housing growth lagging behind demand, the role of private landlords has never been more critical and the decisions they make on issues like rental prices and property maintenance have direct impacts on tenant affordability, security and wellbeing.

This session explores what drives landlords to invest and stay in the rental market and the pressures they face, from rising interest rates to supply shortages. Broader issues such as social and private mixed tenures and the impacts on workers in the private rental sector will also be examined.

The panel session will bring together a not-for-profit rental provider, build-to-rent developer, industry peak leader and consumer policy expert, to interrogate how these sectors can work together to align landlord interests with those of renters and deliver a fair and sustainable rental market for the future.
 

Session speakers

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Suzanne Brown, Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA)

Suzanne Brown is the Director of Rentwest Solutions, one of Perth’s leading property management firms, and the current President of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA). She was the youngest woman in WA to obtain a real estate license, and has since become a respected industry leader with over 35 years experience. Suzanne is known for her commitment to property management excellence and industry advocacy. She is passionate about addressing housing affordability and increasing supply, and shaping fair housing policy.
 

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Dan McLennan, Local

Dan McLennan is the Co-CEO of Local, an Australian Build-to Rent platform which seeks to empower Australians to live a sustainable, socially conscious lifestyle. Dan has over 23 years’ experience in the Australian real estate industry, creating, structuring, funding, and delivering some of the country’s most iconic buildings. Dan was previously the founding Chief Executive Officer of Summer Housing Ltd, where he raised over $350M in institutional social infrastructure funding to fully fund the acquisition of over 400 apartments for people with disability across Australia.
 

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Chris Trypas, Launch Housing

Chris Trypas is a long-term housing and development professional with over 15 years’ experience in the Community Housing and Specialist Disability Accommodation Sectors in both Australia and New Zealand. With a track record of overseeing the delivery of place-based projects with high renter satisfaction, Chris has a wealth of experience in partnering with government, construction partners and capital funders to tackle the housing crisis.

Facilitator

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Trish Blake, Commissioner for Consumer Protection

Trish Blake is the Commissioner for Consumer Protection. Previously the Director of Retail and Services, Trish also worked in the Legislation and Policy Directorate of Consumer Protection for more than 12 years. As a passionate advocate for residential tenancies, scam prevention, human rights and product safety, Trish welcomes the opportunity to speak to industry professionals and the media on these important issues. She is a regular guest on ABC Perth’s Drive program, 6PR’s Perth Live program and often features in Consumer Protection television interviews.