Barry Plant and hockingstuart launch utility connections service for renters

Victorian real estate agencies Barry Plant and hockingstuart have partnered to launch YourPorter.

The new industry-run business allows real estate agents to connect renters with electricity, gas, water, telecommunications and pay television services, and delivers benefits YourPorter to agents.

According to Nigel O'Neil, managing director and chief executive of hockingstuart, agents will receive commissions and equity in exchange for referrals to utility suppliers including AGL, Origin, Telstra and Foxtel.

“Agents are the sole source of leads for utility connections businesses, yet traditionally their commissions have been relatively low,” says O'Neil.

“YourPorter’s mandate is to ensure that real estate businesses derive maximum value from utility connections on both an income and capital basis.

“We’re doing this by paying industry leading commission rates and allocating 47% of the equity in the YourPorter business directly to the agencies that refer utility connections. This type of opportunity does not exist with our competitors,” he explains.

Barry Plant Real Estate chief executive Mike McCarthy says "YourPorter is about regaining a level of control over our data and relationships", given the "concerning level of influence" third party businesses like property portals have with clients.

"As real estate agents, we’re increasingly realising the importance of leveraging our client relationships to create value in our business," he notes.

Tony Zarka, the former national business manager of Direct Connect Australia, will oversee YourPorter as general manager. He claims the service is a "game changer".

"It’s taking the reins off external providers and provides consumers with a service that is convenient, fast and reliable because it’s in the hands of the people who really understand the property market and the dramas of moving house – real estate agents,” he says.

The business offers a same-day connection guarantee, and an emergency accommodation option if required. Through the "Porter Club" incentive scheme, individual real estate agency offices can also give employees "points" that can be converted into dollars on a personal debit card.

YourPorter had a "soft launch" in late 2013 across Barry Plant and hockingstuart agencies, and is now offered to the national real estate industry. According to O'Neil, Buxton, Hodges, Fletchers and Jellis Craig have supported the business.