Network & Industry

IN this edition… 

• 🧨 The court decision that put a TIME BOMB in your office (see Agency Practice)
• ❌ Victoria to end ‘NO FAULT’ evictions (see Network and Industry)
• 😱 Will ChatGPT Search SMASH your position in Google search? (See AI & Tech)
• ⚖️ BIG changes to NSW Residential Tenancy Act (see Agency Practice)
• ⚠️ QLD’s new MANDATORY seller’s disclosure regime (see Agency Practice)

Chairman’s Circle to refine recruitment strategy

This month, the network’s top performers and invitees will convene in Byron Bay for the Chairman’s Circle. 

In addition to an economic outlook briefing from Martin Lakos of Macquarie Bank, business leader and strategist, Cain Cooke will lead a workshop that will seek to refine First National’s recruitment and growth strategy for 2025 – themed ‘Better Together’.

Leveraging our cooperative spirit, the workshop will:

• Define the ideal First National licensee, including key attributes, mindset and qualities
• Identify behaviours, values and strategies to foster a growth strategy at First National
• Brainstorm ideas and strategies to attract ideal candidates
• Consider optional business models i.e., traditional offices, digital offices, white branding ‘powered by FN’
• Build a pipeline to mine with the aim of attracting 15 new offices in 2025, 25 new offices in 2026, and 50 new offices in 2027

Look out for an update on the outcomes in the next edition of Our Fabric.

Network welcomes Melinda Blake, Human Resources Manager

First National Real Estate has welcomed Melinda Blake to National Support Office (NSO) in the capacity of Human Resources Manager.

With extensive experience across various industry sectors, Melinda’s career path has been defined by her ability to adapt, lead, and cultivate a thriving workplace culture. Her strategic, commercially driven mindset was honed during years in National Business Development roles, where she spearheaded growth initiatives and developed innovative strategies.

Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Melinda honed her human resources expertise, excelling as a People, Culture and Talent Acquisition Specialist for a tech scale-up and later as an HR Consultant for small to medium enterprises. Her expertise includes guiding businesses through transformation and structural change, fostering resilience, and aligning HR practices with business goals. 

Melinda’s credentials as a qualified mediator and a Mental Health First Aider position her as an advocate for psychological safety and well-being, essential qualities for supporting the dynamic environment of the network’s National Support Office (NSO).

Melinda’s approach is underpinned by a core belief: every role in an organisation is a leadership role. Her mission is to empower the NSO team by nurturing strong relationships, promoting a culture of continuous learning, and aligning HR functions with the broader vision of First National Real Estate. 

Collaborating closely with CEO David Edwards, she shares in the dedication to human-centred leadership, prioritising trust, empowerment, and team success. Her blend of experience, personal passion for growth, and holistic HR approach make her an invaluable asset to First National’s commitment to world-class support for real estate agents.

Victoria to end no fault evictions

New legislation set to be introduced to parliament by the end of this year will prevent Victorian landlords from evicting tenants without a prescribed reason. 

• A ban on fees for rent processing and background checks (check your rent-tech platforms)
• Penalties for unfounded bond claims without evidence
• Landlord cannot deny a request for additional electronic keys or ‘fobs’

• The tenant has failed to pay rent
• The tenant has  damaged the property
• The owner wishes to move in

The new laws will cap the cost of breaking a lease agreement, with proposed limits of one week’s rent for each remaining month, up to a maximum of four weeks.

We’ll bring you more detail when the legislation is finalised.

Beware of ‘Rentola’

Rentola is a Danish online platform that operates in 40 countries with the promise of connecting property owners, landlords, and tenants. It’s free for landlords to create a listing but tenants must pay a monthly subscription of $65 per 28 days, plus $2 for the first seven days.

Last week, FN Springfield (Augustine Heights, QLD) reported the scam appearance of one of its vacant rental listings on the website – offered at a lower than market price. We’ve seen this scam before on portals like Gumtree, so please make sure you report any suspicious listings using the link that appears on each page of the website.

There is considerable online discussion about high levels of dissatisfaction and outdated listings in the online sphere.

Download our new Calculator App

First National’s new Calculator App gives agents and customers (including first homebuyers) a set of easy-to-use tools to calculate:

• Commissions
• Stamp duty
• Settlement dates
• Loan repayment calculator
• Unit converters
• Rent vs Buy
• Property selling and buying cost

It even takes into account first homebuyer calculations concerning any stamp duty waivers applicable to their property purchase, and we’ve used this additional functionality to add this very useful page to the National Website. You might like to also link to it from your website and promote through your social media.

Link to the app from your website and promote through your social media. Embed the calculator in your website using https://www.visionabacus.net/w/ACalcList/FirstNational

Download and share the FN Calculator app with your customers today.

Professional development opportunities

NATIONAL

What: FREE Commercial Q & A with Sangeeta Thaker, Property Law Academy

When: Every Wednesday, 12:30 pm AEDT  

Where: Zoom 

Register: Click here

VIC/TAS

What: Property Management Think Tank

When: 14 November 10am to 3pm

Where: The Criterion Hotel, Sale

Register: Click here

DON’T MISS LEAH CALNAN’S VCAT REFRESHER