The past year has been one of momentum, growth and meaningful change across our Property Management and Concierge divisions. Our teams continued to expand their capabilities, welcome exceptional talent and deliver strong outcomes for our clients across every market segment.
Team growth and service enhancement
Our teams expanded significantly this year, welcoming new specialists whose expertise further strengthens our service offering. Julianne Chun joined us as our International Property Manager, supporting our growing base of offshore investors and strengthening our relationships with international renters, while Isabella Warner commenced in our administration team, bringing a high level of detail and organisation to our daily operations. We were also pleased to welcome back Tegan Vanderheiden, who has rejoined the business after time spent raising her family.
Within our Concierge division, the appointment of Jessie Turner supported the launch of our new Lifestyle Platform—an initiative designed to lighten the load for time-poor clients by assisting with any day-to-day lifestyle needs. This year also saw the introduction of our Luxury Stays division, led by Emma Sayers, which expands the ways we help clients maximise both the enjoyment and performance of their assets through short-terms stays.
We also acknowledged and farewelled two valued team members—Chelsi Ross, who has transitioned into commercial property management, and Emily Wong, who has moved into Owners’ Corporation management. Their contributions were greatly appreciated, and we wish them every success.
Market performance
Melbourne’s rental market continued its upward trajectory in 2025, albeit at a steadier pace than the rapid increases of recent years. Apartment rents rose 1.5 per cent over the past 12 months, outpacing the 1.1 per cent increase recorded for houses as renters increasingly prioritised value and location, according to NAB’s Melbourne Housing Market Update September 2025.
This narrowing of the gap between property types is reflected in the market’s current benchmarks, with median house rents sitting at $575 per week, the same figure for units. The data also shows rental yields remained stable and competitive, averaging approximately 3.1 per cent for houses across Melbourne and 4.8 per cent for units.
Legislative and compliance changes
The regulatory landscape continued to evolve, with several new compliance requirements introduced from November. These included the ban on rental bidding, the enforcement of minimum standards prior to advertising, and an increase to the notice period for rent adjustments and notices to vacate—from 60 days to 90 days. Additionally, all rental properties must now have blind cords anchored from 25 November.
These changes reflect a sustained focus on renter protections and set more expectations for property owners. Our team has continued to guide rental providers through these shifts to ensure seamless compliance and well-managed tenancies.
Leasing highlights and market activity
The leasing market remained consistently buoyant throughout the year. A standout achievement was the leasing of a penthouse on Lansell Road, Toorak, which reached a weekly rent of $8000—a record result and a testament to the strength of demand for high-calibre homes.
Bayside, Boroondara and Stonnington again proved to be high-performing regions, attracting strong enquiry for well-presented, premium-quality properties. Across the business, we were proud to welcome more than 500 new landlord clients, while more than800 renters secured a Kay & Burton-represented home during the year.
Across our core regions, we continue to manage some of Melbourne’s most exceptional rental properties. Over the last financial year, we held majority market share for homes leased between $1000 and $2000 per week in Armadale, South Yarra, Toorak, Brighton, Portsea and Sorrento.*
For properties leasing above $2,000 per week, we maintained the highest market share in Prahran, Toorak, Hawthorn East, Brighton East and Portsea.*
These results reinforce the trust our clients place in us to protect and enhance the value of their assets, as well as the depth of expertise across our team.
As the year draws to a close, we wish all our clients a restorative and enjoyable festive season. Thank you for your continued support—we look forward to continued partnership in the year ahead.
*Data sourced from PropertyData.com.au.