Build to Rent Australia Summit

• Examining the success of Build to Rent/Multi-Family models from the US and the UK  
• Scaling up BTR models abroad and assessing their potential for the Australian industry in terms of collaboration and location considerations  
• How can removing tax barriers for foreign investment in BTR pave the way for faster housing delivery and help address the rental crisis in Australia?  

• Why does Australia need supportive policies and incentives to grow the sector and what will the recent tax changes mean for the BTR sector?  

Adrian Harrington, Former CEO, Summer Housing, and Past Chair, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) & Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)

• Examining the success of Build to Rent/Multi-Family models from the US and the UK  
• Scaling up BTR models abroad and assessing their potential for the Australian industry in terms of collaboration and location considerations  
• How can removing tax barriers for foreign investment in BTR pave the way for faster housing delivery and help address the rental crisis in Australia?  
• Why does Australia need supportive policies and incentives to grow the sector and what will the recent tax changes mean for the BTR sector?  

Panellists

Ned Stiker, Senior Managing Partner, Head of Client Relations and Capital Markets, Cortland (USA) 

Adam Pillay, Senior Managing Director, Investor Relations- Global, Greystar 

Andrew Purdon, Regional Director, Pacific. Living Sectors - Capital Markets, CBRE

Michelle McNally, CEO, Aware Real Estate

Natasha Devlin, Head of Residential, QIC

Facilitator

Matthew Cook, Director, Spire Capital

In 2023 EY was commissioned by the Property Council to write a report on the challenges, opportunities and the road ahead for the Australian Build to Rent market. In this presentation we hear from Luke Mackintosh, Partner of EY who co-co-authored the report who will outline its key findings.  

• Status of the sector in Australia  
• Emerging trends, policies, and key players 
• Understanding market demand 
• What does BTR mean for affordable housing and the rental crisis in Australia?  
• Policy considerations and an update of the Federal tax regime  

Luke Mackintosh, Partner, Strategy and Transactions - Real Estate, EY

As Australia moves from a few players with existing models to more companies releasing or planning BTR projects, the conversation has evolved from discussions on taxation and regulation to the actual operational models and norms. In this session we examine the state of play within Australia and the technology and community activation driving best practice across tenant relationships in BTR. In this session we examine:

• Comparing the Australian landscape to international Operating Models
• Examining what works, what doesn’t and what needs to change?
• Looking at how the BTR model are different from traditional letting models and how tenant engagement and community activation is fundamental to the success.
• What role does technology and best-in-class digital infrastructure play in creating a better rental experience, from tenant apps to connectivity, and the journey both landlords and tenants undertake within a successful BTR model.

Michael Hogg, Operations Director-Living sectors, Charter Hall

Jennie Fojtik, ,

Josh Carney, Head of Build to Rent (Multifamily) Operations, Salta Properties

Ed Jennings, Head of Australia, Wired Score

Alessandro Biondi, Asset Manager, Residential, 151 Property

James Dunstan, Chief Strategy Officer, Smart Urban Properties Australia

In this session, Government and industry leaders discuss how collaboration is key to unlocking BTR success, the challenges that need to be addressed and the role Government can play to stimulate the growth of the BTR model in Australia.  

• What are the government’s plans for the creation of affordable and social housing and what is the role of BTR in this mix?  
• What incentives can be provided to the private sector to undertake BTR projects?   
• Assessing the benefits of land tax concession and exemptions from surcharge purchaser duty   
• Streamlining the approval process for BTR projects  

Panellists

Michael Lennon, Deputy Chair, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council (NHSAC) 

Jon Ross, Chief Origination Director, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation

Leonie King, CEO, City West Housing

Facilitator

Adrian Harrington, Former CEO, Summer Housing, and Past Chair, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) & Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)

How do Build-to-Rent brands ensure infrastructure service providers are aligned with their property vision and desired occupier experience? Investing in, developing, owning and operating BTR properties in a rapidly emerging and highly contested market in Australia requires long-term partnerships to succeed. In this presentation, Geoff Horth, Group CEO of Smart Urban Properties Australia (SUPA), will discuss the importance of partnerships that:

• Maximise property valuation and returns;
• Improve property attraction and occupier experiences to assure long term tenancies;
• Deliver robust and compliant solutions that reduce construction and operating costs, and associated risks.

Geoff Horth, CEO , Smart Urban Properties Australia

• Why have institutional investors in Australia shown greater interest in commercial real estate compared to residential property and will this change?  
• How important are collaborative partnerships with local and global stakeholders for achieving successful financing and operation?  
• What financial models are required for BTR to succeed in Australia?    
• What barriers to entry are Australian superfunds facing? 
• Strategies for attracting institutional investors to ensure financial viability while delivering high-quality and affordable housing for tenants  

Panellists

Bianca Solomons, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Investor Relations, Greystar

Deborah Kelly, Investment Director , AustralianSuper

Mandi Prager, Director, MP Group International

Pretar Caroline Harris, Senior Vice President Real Estate Investing Australia, Brookfield Asset Management

Nick Lazarou, Partner, Real Estate, GT Law

Facilitator

Paul Savitz, Director of Operational Capital Markets, Savills

In this session we bring together delegates in a series of 30 minute facilitated interactive roundtable discussions, led by leading industry experts. Join a table that most interests you and discuss the latest industry trends with likeminded individuals. This will be followed by a 2-minute wrap up by table’s Facilitator, summarising the dialogue from each of their tables.

Round Table 1: Why is Build-to-Rent so important to Australian real estate?  

Facilitated by: Luke Mackintosh, Partner, Strategy and Transactions – Real Estate, EY  

Round Table 2: Examining the investment considerations when deciding to allocate to the BTR sector  

Facilitated by: Mandi Prager, Director, MP Group International  

Round Table 3: Exploring Innovative Collaboration Models for Private Build-to-Rent Developers and Community Housing Providers 

Facilitated by: Leonie King, CEO, City West Housing

Round Table 4: Examining the role of Connectivity in a comprehensive BTR offering 

Facilitated by: Andrew Steedman, CEO, Interphone 

Round Table 5: How do we evolve and continue to meet the changing ESG and lifestyle needs, preferences and expectations of multi-generational occupants over the long-term lifecycle of BTR developments? 

Facilitated by: Sam Davey, Executive General Manager, Smart Urban Properties Australia 

• Exploring the potential of affordable housing in the build-to-rent sector 
• Identifying and analysing the key mega trends shaping the real estate industry
• Highlighting the importance of ESG factors, as well as the role of strategic partnerships in the affordable build-to-rent market.  

Scott Langford, Group CEO, St George Community Housing

Antoine Mesnage, Head of Australia, Alts, AXA Investment Managers

In this rapid-fire session, we hear from four Build-to-Rent solution providers

Innovation Talk 1:  Paul Detering, General Manager Smart Buildings, Smart Urban Properties Australia 

Innovation Talk 2:  Ferris El-Afifi, Director of Business Development, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Australia 

Innovation Talk 3:  Kevin Butler, General Manager, Zenith Payments 

Innovation Talk 4: Greg Spicer, CEO, Rezpage Property Management

Facilitated by: Josh Carney, Head of Build to Rent (Multifamily) Operations, Salta Properties 

Kevin Butler, General Manager, Zenith Payments

Greg Spicer, CEO, Rezpage Property Management

Ferris El-Afifi, Director of Business Development, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Australia

Paul Detering, General Manager Smart Buildings, Smart Urban Properties Australia

Facilitated by:

Josh Carney, Head of Build to Rent (Multifamily) Operations, Salta Properties

• Passivhaus integration in Build to Rent developments    
• Benefits of Passivhaus for owners & residents   
• International and Australian Passivhaus Build to Rent examples  

Chris Nunn, Head of Environment, Social and Governance, Scape

• Housing policy objectives potentially fulfilled by BtR 
• Key BtR tax liabilities – national and state taxation frameworks 
• Recent developments on tax rules affecting BtR 

Professor Hal Pawson, Associate Director, City Futures Research Centre

• Looking at the importance of access to amenities and the services families want in a successful BTR development 
• How to integrate sustainability into the design and construction of BTR assets and what are the financial and operational benefits of sustainability for asset owners?  
• Construction and operational considerations, including cost, maintenance and management practices, for ensuring the long-term success   
• Best practices for aligning investor and tenant needs in BTR development  

Panellists

Keith Lucas, Managing Director, Sentinel

Anthony Garagounis, Director, Projects & Growth, Build to Rent, Mirvac

Alan Frost, Director of Development, Cedar Pacific

Natasha Devlin, Head of Residential, QIC

Sara Thomas, Associate Director, Investments, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) 

Facilitator

Steph Harper, Director, Living Sectors, CBRE