$210M+ In Co-Living Projects Across Australia

With 10+ years of experience helping institutional, fund and Australian investors to get into this 8-11% yield asset class - we at The Harmony Group are now sharing the knowledge behind our success.
Co-Living Investment Specialists
$5K
Cashback
HIGH Yield
Returns
Exclusive Rental
Guarantees

The Harmony Group

The Australian Co-Living market is moving in two very different directions: 

1. Some are purpose-built, High-End 9-Bed properties designed around long-term resident demand and 8-11% yields, that can successfully charge $500/week for residents.

2. While others place the “Co-Living” label on low-quality constructions in low tenant demand suburbs, which will struggle to maintain occupancy and be sustainable long term.

Knowing how to identify and separate the former from the latter, The Harmony Group has built a $210M+ portfolio of Co-Living properties: converting residential opportunities into 8–11% high-yield, long-term retirement assets.

Our only mission is:

“To help Australian, Institutional and Fund investors spend just 1-2 hours understanding the co-living market before committing $1-2 million to a property decision.”

 

3 examples Of High-End Co-Living Properties:

Latest in the media

Our founders have been respected commentators in the property investment and finance space for the last decade.

Featured in

Sharing Our Knowledge:

The checklist and information later used for the course began as an internal tool.
Both were created to help us consistently evaluate opportunities and understand the factors that influence long-term outcomes for 8-11% Yield Co-Living Properties.
We decided to make it available because investors should have access to better information before committing $1-2 million into a property decision.

Our Co-Living Investment Checklist & Education Series

1. The “Invest-Worthy” Checklist 

36-Point to evaluate before being confident in a Co-Living Opportunity

The checklist is designed to help you understand the market properly,

So you can make a decision that supports your retirement goals and avoid making a $1-2 Million decision you may regret.

2. Our 12-Lesson Co-Living Course

The series covers:

  • Tenancy demand analysis

  • Location assessment

  • Design principles

  • Development considerations

  • Financial assumptions

  • Risk factors

  • Common mistakes

  • Long-term suitability

The The Harmony Group Team

Yannick Ieko

CEO and Investment Consultant

Tony Draper

Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships

Swathi Raja

Acquisitions Coordinator

Ellie Harcourt

Executive Assistant

Deval Modi

Data Analyst

The Harmony Group

The Harmony Group has over 15 years of specialist accommodation and co-living investment experience. Having delivered 200+ projects worth $210+ million across 30+ councils, the group’s companies focus on different segments of Australia’s co-living market. The Harmony Group brings this knowledge directly to retail, fund and institutional investors.

What our clients say

Teegan Colombera

I’ve been working with the guys at The Harmony Group for years now and couldn’t be happier with everything. The team really knows their stuff and takes the time to understand what you’re trying to achieve, rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution. They’re easy to deal with, transparent, and genuinely care about getting good results for their clients. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone serious about what these guys help with. We have one project successfully delivered and another one incoming. Big thank you to Tony and Swathi specifically but the whole team was great.

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Judith Viado – Nutricraft

We’ve had a really positive experience with The Harmony Group so far throughout our property journey. The team has been responsive, professional, and clear in their communication, and we’ve felt well supported at each step.

In particular, Swathi, Ian, and Tony have been patient, helpful, and proactive whenever we’ve had questions or needed clarification, which has made the process feel smooth and reassuring. It’s been easy dealing with a team that is organised and genuinely supportive.

So far, everything has been well managed, and we feel confident continuing the journey into the next stage. Thank you to the team — looking forward to what’s ahead.

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Jay Nandan

We’ve had a great experience with Harmony Group and the team so far. Communication has been clear and timely, and everyone has been professional, friendly, and easy to deal with. Any questions we had were answered promptly, and the process has been smooth and well organised.

We truly appreciate the support and attention to detail provided by Ian, Swathi, and Marco, and we are very happy with the service so far. We would highly recommend Harmony Group to anyone looking for a reliable and professional team.

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Marie Sette

We’ve had a great experience working with Tony and the team. Communication has been clear and timely, and the process has been smooth and well organised. We were also referred to The Melbourne Mortgage Company, where we dealt with Michael, who was very helpful and assisted us in securing the right loan. Overall, we’re very happy with the service and would happily recommend them.

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Tyler

I’ve been working with the main guys in the Harmony team for years on my first two investments. The timing on my first two was impeccable and they were able to get their builders to complete on schedule throughout covid when everyone else had issues. My second purchase was an already existing property that needed a small Reno and my latest purchase is a premium co-living rooming house, modern and fully approved and compliant. 5 rooms leased. Going again as soon as feasible. So much easier with a quality team behind me.

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William Nash

I have working with Tony for over 7 years now, and he is the consummate professional. Extremely adept with communication, professional and strategically based investment options.

I would recommend The Harmony Group to anyone looking to increase their wealth through investment.

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Aaron Williamson

Big thanks to the team for pulling together to get me sorted before the Christmas break. The guys at Harmony are a team you want in your corner. The thing that stuck with me was after I started the process they didn’t just shove me through some predetermined process and were even more attentive than even before I was a client. They never dropped the ball. I have zero buyers remorse going with these guys. Would recommend, especially for the higher end Co-living space.

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Fleur Fourie

We met Tony over 5 years ago. He helped us get into our first home, 2 years later our first investment property and we will be looking at a third property very shortly with his continued guidance. The ‘Unwavering’ dedication to us as their client at Harmony Group. The care and dedication shown, always going the extra mile to ensure the client’s needs are met, is truly unwavering. In today’s age, such commitment is rare commodity. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

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Jax Baker

The Harmony Group team are so smart, they listened to my vision and put together a high yield property investment strategy, using their co-living property investment model. Seriously makes so much sense for the future of housing. They have put together a world class group of people who know their craft. I felt safe to follow their plan. I’d say after some research they are Australias premier co-living specialist.

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Analkazi

It’s been a great experience from day one. They’re easy to deal with and clearly know what they’re doing. Shoutout to Dave for his patience with us early on and the rest of the team for delivering for us

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Ola Bello

Harmony group has been very professional in their dealings with me. The staff are knowledgeable and patient to work through my peculiar situation in the building process.

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Leonardo Valero

We found in Harmony Group and strategic partner in our Property Investment Portafolio, recently they have helped us acquiring our first property through SMSF. Great service, friendly and professional people working on your behalf.

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Oliver Klozof

Genuine guidance and support all the way through. We didn’t stop at one project and are happy to continue working with the team.

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Paul Yearsley

I have not completed a project with Harmony at this stage but have been very happy with the hard work and communication Tony D has contributed to working towards our goals

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Lea

The team helped us look at all our options, David was very patient through out the process and we are very happy with the end result
Highly Recommend!

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Nina Keily

I have worked with Tony for quite a number of years now and I strongly recommend his services to anyone who is looking for A+ investment opportunities with high level returns. I look forward to working with him more in the future.

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Our 2026 Evaluation

Retirement has become harder to fund through the “old way" of Residential Real Estate.

The traditional approach of:

  • Buying a property at a loss,
  • Waiting years for it to slowly become cash-flow positive,
  • And gradually building more and more debt in the hope of eventually creating a cash-flow-positive portfolio…

Can take 20–30 years to reach a moderate income.

That strategy was built for a lower-rate, higher-growth era, and that era has ended.

In 2026, with higher borrowing costs and housing affordability at all-time highs, investors cannot simply rely on the assumption that after the loan is paid off, the property will be worth significantly more and rental income will have caught up to be cashflow-positive.

The priority needs to be:

  • Identifying High-Yield, High-End Co-Living Properties that can be cashflow positive from day 1, and contribute to portfolio growth.

That is the only way many institutional, fund investors and Australian investors can realistically create high cashflow,

And work towards replacing high professional salaries of $200,000-$500,000 per year.

Modern house exterior with large glass window, black-framed garage door, light-colored walls, a wooden front door slightly open, and a small palm tree near the entrance.
A hallway with beige walls and doors, featuring a door sign labeled 103 and an emergency exit sign visible at the end of the corridor. Natural light comes through windows on the left.

Why Trust
The Harmony Group?

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200+ Projects, $210M Delivered, 10.8% Average Yield

Traditional property advisors guess. We measure. With 200+ specialist accommodation projects delivered across 30+ councils and a proven track record of 9-12% yields, we know exactly what works. We focus exclusively on 1B-certified Co-Living properties that deliver positive cash flow from settlement: not 5-10 years of negative gearing waiting for capital growth.

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SQM Research Partnership

We analyse 118 specific data points before buying any property for ourselves or clients: employment diversity, rental demand, council regulations, property manager capacity, and 114 others. Partnering with SQM Research, we identify high-yield property investment opportunities in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth while actively avoiding oversaturated markets like Brisbane. Every one of our investments was backed by data.

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98% Occupancy, Same-Day Tenant Placement

We know how to partner exclusively with Co-Living managers maintaining 98%+ occupancy rates (our partners manage 477 rooms with only 6 vacant). When a tenant moves out, new residents move in the next day—not 4-6 weeks later. This is why our properties deliver consistent 9-12% yields while traditional rentals struggle at 3-4%.

How Co-Living Accelerates Retirement By 10-15 Years

Generate $20,000-$30,000 Net Income Per Property

Each co-living property delivers $88,000+ gross annual income. After expenses and tax, you net $20,000-$30,000 positive cash flow. Three properties = $60,000-$90,000 annual income replacing your salary entirely.

Pay Off Your Mortgage 10-15 Years Faster

Traditional property: $600/week rent, negative cash flow. Co-living: $1,700/week rent, $15,000+ annual positive cash flow. Apply this to your mortgage and clear debt in 5-10 years instead of 20-25 years.

Build Retirement Income, Not Just Equity

Stop waiting for capital growth. Co-living delivers immediate income. Once loans are paid off, three properties can generate $180,000-$220,000 annual income. That's retirement income you can live on, not just equity on paper.

Retire at 52, Not 65

Traditional path: Work until 65-70. Co-living path: Use high yields to eliminate mortgage in 7-10 years, build a 2-3 property portfolio, and retire at 52-55. That's 13-18 extra years of freedom.

Learn Our Proven Co-Living Investment Process in our Course

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1. Establish Borrowing Capacity & Investment Goals

Determine if Co-Living suits your situation ($200K+ equity typically required). Connect with specialist brokers who understand co-living income modelling.

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2. 118-Point Market Analysis

Analyse employment diversity, rental demand, vacancy trends, council regulations, and 114 other data points. Currently recommending Melbourne (6-month builds), Adelaide (emerging growth), Perth (highest yields).

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3. Partner With 1B-Certified Builders

Only builders with 10+ completed co-living projects and zero compliance issues. Every property has a 1B certification confirmed before construction—avoiding $125,000+ fines and 2-year jail penalties for uncertified properties.

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4. 6-Month Build Timeline & Property Manager Selection

Melbourne and Adelaide properties complete in 6 months. Specialist property managers sign off on designs and prepare tenant waitlists during construction.

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5. Specialist Co-Living Management (98%+ Occupancy)

Partner exclusively with managers maintaining sub-2% vacancy rates. Our partners manage 477 rooms with only 6 vacant, placing new tenants within 24-48 hours of previous tenant departure.

All of this can be coordinated with your other professional advisers such as tax accountants and financial planners to ensure your co-living investment complements your overall wealth strategy.

Common Co-Living Investment Myths

High-End Co-living delivers 9-12% yields while traditional properties deliver 3-4%. Yet many property investors avoid co-living due to misconceptions and low-quality companies. Let’s address the most common myths:

Co-living is legal when properly 1B-certified. We only recommend certified properties meeting fire safety, disability access, and council approval requirements. Uncertified properties face $125,000+ fines—why we reject any property without confirmed certification.

9-12% yields are achievable because co-living rents per room, not per property. Four rooms at $375/week = $1,500/week vs. the whole house at $600/week. Same property, same location, 150% more income. Verified by actual rental listings, not projections.

Most clients start with $200,000-$220,000 in usable equity or cash (20% deposit on $900K property plus costs). If you have less, alternative property investing strategies exist. If you have more, multiple properties accelerate results.

You don’t manage co-living properties—specialist property managers do. Our partners handle 24/7 resident support, tenant placement, maintenance, and community management. You receive monthly statements and approve major repairs only. Truly passive investment.

Co-living works in all market cycles because income matters more than capital growth. Down markets: high income buffers value declines. Stable markets: income continues regardless. Up markets: capital appreciation plus income. The best time to start was yesterday. The second best is today.

What Do We Get From Helping You?

This is a fair question:

We believe better-informed investors make better decisions.

Some people who use this framework will decide Co-Living isn’t the right fit for them. Other institutional, fund and private investors may decide they want guidance from a team with direct experience in the sector.

The reality is that we’re not actively looking to work with new clients. Across our own $210+ million portfolio, many of our new opportunities each month are retained for our own portfolio or offered to long-term clients expanding their existing holdings.

As a result, we generally open our new opportunities to institutional and fund investors, or only 1-2 new private clients each month.

That’s why we make these educational resources available. We’d rather any future conversation begin with someone who already understands the fundamentals, the opportunities, the risks, and how we think about evaluating Co-Living investments.

For us, the value isn’t in creating pressure or generating leads. It’s in ensuring that when someone does reach out…

The conversation starts from a position of knowledge, alignment, and realistic expectations.

Co-Living Opportunities

With our Free Co-Living Checklist & 12-Module Course, retiring 10-15 years early is achievable for everyday Australians.

If you’re ready to explore how 9-12% yields and positive cash flow accelerate your path to financial freedom, request your checklist and course today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is co-living property investment?

Co-living property investment involves purchasing purpose-built properties designed for up to 9 individuals to live independently in their own private spaces while sharing common areas. Unlike traditional share houses, properly certified co-living properties (1B certification) feature:

  • Individual en-suites for each bedroom
  • Private outdoor courtyards
  • Personal kitchenettes in most rooms
  • Full furnishing and utilities included
  • Professional property management
  • 24/7 resident services

These properties generate significantly higher rental yields (10-12%) compared to traditional residential investment (4-5%) while maintaining similar capital growth potential to large family homes.

Yes, co-living is legal in Australia when properly certified. Properties must have a 1B certification to legally house more than 3 unrelated people. This certification ensures:

  • Fire safety measures and multiple exits
  • Disability access and bathroom facilities
  • Safety compliance for up to 12 residents
  • Council approval and proper zoning

Critical Warning: Many co-living properties in Australia are not properly certified. In Queensland, operating an uncertified co-living property can result in fines up to $166,000 per infringement and up to 2 years’ jail time. As a premier property investment company, The Harmony Group only works with 1B certified properties that meet all safety and legal requirements.

Co-living properties typically deliver 10-12% gross rental yields, compared to 3-4% for traditional residential investment properties. Individual rooms rent for $400-$500 per week (including all utilities, WiFi, and furnishings), generating approximately $3,300-3,600 weekly income for a 9 bedroom property.

Yield Comparison Example:

  • Traditional 4-bedroom house in growth corridor: ~$600/week = 4-5% yield
  • 9-bedroom co-living property same location: ~$3,300-$3,600/week = 10-12% yield

These higher yields are sustainable due to:

  • Per-room rental model vs. whole-house rental
  • Fully furnished premium offering
  • Professional property management
  • Low vacancy rates (typically under 2%)

For a High-End 9-Bed Co-Living, you need approximately $500,000 in usable equity or cash, covering:

  • 20% deposit on property
  • Furniture and fit-out costs
  • Establishment fees and costs
  • Buffer for settlement

Minimum Investment Details:

  • Property price range: $1.3-$1.6 million
  • Deposit requirement: 20% (standard lending)
  • Furniture costs: ~$15,000-$20,000
  • Total upfront: ~$500,000

Alternative Entry Points:

  • Equity release from existing properties
  • Joint investment partnerships

Like any property investment, co-living carries risks that should be understood:

Market Risks:

1. Rental Demand Changes:

  • The economic downturn is reducing employment in the area
  • Oversupply of co-living properties (why Harmony recommends to avoid oversaturated markets)
  • Changing tenant preferences

Mitigation: Harmony’s Checklist identifies sustainable demand, and specialist property managers maintain low vacancy rates.

2. Interest Rate Increases:

  • Higher loan costs impact cash flow
  • Refinancing challenges if rates spike

Mitigation: Higher income buffer than traditional property, rate locking options, and offset accounts.

3. Property Value Decline:

  • Market corrections or local economic issues
  • Property not maintaining capital growth

Mitigation: Location selection in growth corridors, diversified employment areas, and income provides a buffer.

Operational Risks:

1. Property Management Issues:

  • Underperforming property manager
  • Higher than expected vacancy
  • Poor tenant selection

Mitigation: Harmony only uses proven managers with a good track record and rental guarantees in place.

2. Maintenance Costs:

  • Higher wear and tear than expected
  • Multiple bathrooms/kitchens increase repair costs
  • Tenant damage

Mitigation: New builds have lower maintenance, bonds held for damages, and quality tenants reduce issues.

3. Regulatory Changes:

  • Council regulation changes affecting co-living
  • Zoning modifications
  • Building code updates

Mitigation: 1B certification provides a strong compliance foundation, and properties can be converted to traditional rental if needed

Structural Risks:

1. Builder Performance:

  • Construction delays
  • Builder bankruptcy during construction
  • Quality issues

Mitigation: Harmony only uses proven builders, ensures construction insurance is in place, and builder contracts protect buyers.

2. Finance Challenges:

  • Lender pulls out before settlement
  • Valuation comes in low
  • Changed financial circumstances

Mitigation: Specialist brokers, multiple lender relationships, and untitled land provides a time buffer.

Personal Risks:

1. Life Changes:

  • Job loss affecting serviceability
  • Relationship breakdown requiring asset division
  • Health issues impacting income

Mitigation: Income protection insurance, emergency fund buffer, and investment should fit within overall capacity.

Risk Summary: Co-living investment is higher risk than primary residence but comparable to traditional investment property, with added risks around specialised management offset by higher income potential. Seek expert property investment advice to maximise the co-living strategy the right way.

Ideal Co-Living Investor Profile:

Financial Position: 

✅ Have $200,000+ in usable equity or cash 
✅ Stable employment or income 
✅ Good credit history 
✅ Existing property ownership (though not required) 
✅ Capacity to service additional debt

Investment Goals:

✅ Seeking passive income to offset expenses elsewhere 
✅ Want to accelerate mortgage payoff on primary residence 
✅ Building retirement income portfolio 
✅ 5-10+ year investment timeframe 
✅ Focus on cash flow over just capital growth

Risk Profile:

✅ Comfortable with property investment fundamentals 
✅ Understand market cycles and can ride downturns
✅ Accept specialised property requires specialized management 
✅ Have an emergency fund buffer for unexpected costs 
✅ Can handle moderate liquidity constraints

Personal Situation: 

✅ Don’t need property for personal use
✅ Comfortable with property interstate (if applicable) 
✅ Understand tax implications and have an accountant 
✅ Willing to hold medium-term (not quick flip)

NOT Ideal For: 

❌ First-time investors with no property experience 
❌ Need capital in the next 1-2 years 
❌ Cannot afford serviceability buffer for rate rises 
❌ Want to live in or use the property personally 
❌ Uncomfortable with specialised property management 
❌ Expect unrealistic property investment returns or guarantees

Self-Assessment Questions:

  1. Can I afford to hold this property if interest rates rise 2%?
  2. Do I have 6-12 month’s expenses saved separately?
  3. Am I comfortable with a 5-10 year hold period?
  4. Do I understand the tax implications?
  5. Have I researched the co-living market in target areas?

If you answered yes to most ideal profile criteria and self-assessment questions, co-living may suit your real estate investment strategy.

If You Were to Partner With The Harmony Group:

Step 1: Initial Consultation (30-45 minutes)

  • Book a free strategy session with Harmony
  • Discuss your financial situation and goals
  • Explain the co-living investment model in detail
  • Determine if the strategy aligns with your needs
  • No obligation – honest assessment if suitable or not

Step 2: Financial Assessment (1-2 weeks)

  • Connect with a specialist mortgage broker (if needed)
  • Assess borrowing capacity
  • Review the deposit/equity position
  • Pre-approval application (if financing)
  • Structure strategy with an accountant/advisor

Step 3: Market Selection & Opportunity Review

  • Harmony presents current opportunities matching your criteria
  • Review locations using 118-point data analysis
  • Understand specific property details and projected returns
  • Q&A on any concerns or questions
  • Time to do your own research and due diligence

Step 4: Property Reservation

  • Sign a land contract with 5% deposit
  • Legal review of contracts (your solicitor)
  • Cooling-off period, if applicable
  • Reservation of a specific land parcel

Step 5: Design & Build Finalization (2-4 weeks)

  • Review and approve building plans
  • Select any customisation options
  • Confirm furniture package
  • Sign a building contract with 5% deposit
  • Property manager sign-off on design

Step 6: Finance Finalisation (During 3-6 month untitled period)

  • Formal finance application
  • Property valuation
  • Final loan approval
  • Loan documents signed
  • Settlement preparation

Step 7: Construction (6-12 months)

  • Regular progress photos and updates
  • Builder inspections and reports
  • Harmony coordinates all builder/council interactions
  • Zero owner involvement required

Step 8: Settlement & Tenant Placement (2-4 weeks)

  • Final inspection (you or property manager)
  • Settlement on land and building
  • Furniture installation and setup
  • Property manager tenant placement
  • Rental income begins

Total Timeline: 12-18 months from initial consultation to rental income

Owner Time Investment: Approximately 10-15 hours across the entire process

Getting Started Today: Contact Harmony Group to schedule an initial consultation:

  • Phone: 1300 902 396
  • Email: contact@theharmonygroup.com.au
  • Website: theharmonygroup.com.au
  • No obligation, honest assessment of suitability
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Proud Members of the Property Investors Council of Australia

As proud members of the Property Investors Council of Australia, we pledge to adhere to the strictest principles of integrity, accountability, and excellence in the Australian property investment sector. It is our firm belief that we should adopt ethical investing practices and strive for continuous learning, all while offering reliable advice to our clients when investing in property.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This website provides general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Property investment carries significant risk including possible loss of capital, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Projected yields and income are estimates that may not be achieved. Before investing, consult licensed financial, legal, and tax advisors. Read our full disclaimers.