Rotorua hosts new property management forum

A new industry group for the property management sector is holding its first forum in Rotorua on May 13 and 14.

The Leading Property Managers of Australia approached Rotorua Rental's Richard Evans to set up a corresponding New Zealand organisation and the Leading Property Managers of New Zealand (LPMNZ) was created at the end of last year.

Evans said registrations were fast approaching the limit of 100 for the LPMNZ's forum next Friday and Saturday at Rotorua's Distinction Hotel. "We will be officially launching in Rotorua and it's great that so many people are interested. We thought we might get 70 or 80, but we already have more than 90."

Evans said the forum will focus on sharing of best practice with the likes of Evans, Bob Walters, Andrew Reece, Ross Davey, Darren Hunter, Elaine Westerman, Tony McPherson, Leonie Freeman and Hamish Turner on hand to share their experience and expertise.

This knowledge sharing was one benefit he gained from joining the Australian group five years ago and he aims to replicate that in New Zealand.

"The theme is Ignite the Light and the forum will help you to ignite the light in your property management business, with a great line-up of property management experts and practitioners to give you unequalled knowledge and an unbeatable opportunity to network with your peers."

He said registrations included property managers from Whangarei to Dunedin and from large companies with 6000-7000 properties under management to very small offices.

Evans and his wife Pauline Evans co-own the LPMNZ with Australian partners which he said was "working very well".

"We are benefiting from their ideas and experience."

The need for a national body for property managers grew out of the Real Estate Agents Act 2008, which excluded property managers from the regulations that now govern real estate sales.

Managers can still belong to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, but this is no longer compulsory and the institute's regulatory role was passed to the new Real Estate Agents Authority.

Evans said LPMNZ filled a gap.

"We cannot enforce regulations but, if we have a member who is misbehaving, we can chuck them out."

The organisation also offers a level of quality assurance for tenants and landlords as it enforces standards for members to both meet and maintain.

However the forum is open to both members and non-members and Evans said the focus was on building more efficient and profitable businesses.

The Leading Property Managers of New Zealand forum is at the Distinction Hotel on Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14. The cost is $595 - including a networking dinner. Registration and forum details are at www.lpmnz.com.