CeO’s report

Quentin Kilian

REIV CEO

Greetings from the frontline. I say this because of late it really has felt a bit like being on the frontline of a battle.

We’ve been doing quite a lot on the advocacy front over the past few months, particularly with the State election looming.

The reIv has released its election Priorities document which was sent to all political leaders in victoria, along with their Party machinery, and we’ve made sure that all sitting mPs have been provided with a copy of the document. It has also been sent, in electronic form, to reIv members and we encourage you to share it with your local member of Parliament and your clients.

The election Priorities document is built around four main pillars: the Property market review, which has still not been released by Government but has already spurned the creation of the $4 million Underquoting Taskforce; a much-needed conversation on Property Tax; an even more important review of the residential Tenancies Act; and roadblocks to new talent in the industry, in particular the introduction of an Interim Certificate.

on the subject of the Interim Certificate, earlier in the year we made real headway with the minister – or at least we thought we had. After getting a great response and a promise of fast-tracking the work on this, the minister referred it to the Department who have pushed this discussion out until at least after the election.

The moment a government is installed we will pick up the case again with the Department to get this into the legislative agenda. In the meantime, we’ve requested detailed guidance on the tasks that could be undertaken by a trainee. To assist with this, we have provided CAv information of the work performed in various sectors of the industry. The Director has undertaken to provide us with ‘Guidance notes’ expanding the tasks that a trainee could perform while doing their traineeship. This may assist businesses in bringing new talent into the sector.

on the rTA review the news is less promising at this stage. We’ve spoken with the minister on numerous occasions over the past six months about the need to sit down and review the Act, and to adjust what is not working. So far there has been no progress on those requests. The opposition have committed to a review if elected but are non-committal on changes. Getting politicians to understand the importance of supporting both supply and demand for rental property has never been simple, and it seems the challenge continues.

Several other issues are being addressed from an advocacy and representation perspective including addressing some non-sensical rules surrounding commercial signage imposed by the melbourne City Council, a review of the retail Leases Act proposed post the state election, and addressing the Government’s uncalled for acts against the sector like the introduction of the $4 million Underquoting Taskforce.

The reIv reAL campaign was launched in mid-August and we are very pleased with the feedback received.

REIV President Andrew Meehan, left, and REIV CEO Quentin Kilian record a video update. Please continue to support the message by wearing your lapel pin, sharing the ads and importantly using the reIv reAL branding on your marketing material. It is important that we all help consumers understand the edge that reIv membership gives to a real estate professional.

I’m working on the possible structure of an reIv Accreditation Program as well. I have some good source material to work with. more on that in the near future.

We are nearing the Christmas and new Year break so I would like to take this opportunity to thank you as members for your ongoing support of the reIv and to encourage you to participate in its growth and innovation. I would like to publicly thank my amazing team at the reIv who put in so much every day. And I would like to thank our President Andrew meehan and the fabulous reIv board for their guidance and vision.

2022 has been a year of mixed fortunes and one where a lot of time has been spent rebuilding from CovID. It has seen some of the quickest and largest interest rate rises for the past couple of decades – albeit they are still below the averages – and it’s seen issues such as stock shortages, recruitment shortages and falling prices. but for the most part, our industry has survived and continued what it does best – helping people find homes and workplaces to build their lives.

There are many things on our agenda for 2023, including the reinvigoration of the reIv IGnITe Conference and pushing for regulatory and legislative review.

I wish you a safe and happy holiday and we look forward to continuing to build on the value that the reIv provides you.

Quentin Kilian REIV CEO