Melbourne, 21 May 2025 – The Property Investors Council of Australia (PICA) hosted a pivotal Information Sharing and Community Discussion event last night in Victoria , bringing together concerned property investors to unpack the ongoing legislative pressures reshaping the rental market and highlight the urgent need for balanced advocacy.

Led by PICA National Chair Ben Kingsley and MC Tim Graham, the evening centred on the mounting challenges landlords face in light of rapidly shifting tenancy laws, tightening compliance requirements, and a deteriorating narrative surrounding property investment in Australia.

“Property investors are continually portrayed as greedy, but in reality, we are private rental accommodation providers running small businesses that house 90% of the country’s rental population,” Kingsley stated. “It’s time we shift the narrative and recognise the social good we provide.”

With more than 140 tenancy legislation changes in Victoria alone, attendees raised deep concerns over overregulation, punitive fines, and the unintended consequences of tenant-centric reforms. Kingsley noted that despite the good intentions behind many changes, the pendulum has swung too far.

“Our job is to make sure the pendulum doesn’t swing too far in the opposite direction. We need to advocate from a balanced, evidence-based standpoint,” Kingsley added.

Tim Graham echoed these sentiments, pointing out the imbalance in how property investors are treated compared to other asset holders. “Nobody questions your right to own Tesla shares, but suddenly property investment comes with a burden of control and compliance that doesn’t apply to other investments,” he said.

One of the standout insights from the evening was the call to reframe the identity of property investors. “The ‘mum and dad investor’ language no longer passes the pub test. We are small business owners – and we deserve to be seen that way,” Kingsley emphasised.

The event also shed light on alarming data. Victoria alone has lost 24,848 rental properties over the past year, a clear response to unworkable legislation. “If you're going to make it hard for us to own real estate here, we'll take our money elsewhere. Right now, it feels like Victoria doesn’t want our money,” Graham commented.

The discussion concluded with a call to action for property investors to join PICA and actively engage in advocacy efforts, highlighting the collective power of the country’s 2.3 million property investors.

“PICA gives us a seat at the table. If we organise and stand up for ourselves, policymakers will have to listen,” said Kingsley.

You can listen to the event recording here.