Arseniy (Arie) Kolesnichenko, Founder of Property Management Agency HMO Unity Pty Ltd, has been awarded the prestigious title of South Australia’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year. This recognition came during the 2023 SAYES (South Australian Young Entrepreneurs Program) graduation ceremony, held last night.
At just 23 years of age, Arie, who is originally from Kazakhstan, embarked on his entrepreneurial endeavour by relocating to Australia to complete his Commerce Degree. His motivation to establish HMO Unity stemmed from a personal struggle to find compatible housemates and the perfect place to call home.
HMO Unity operates as a dynamic Property Management Agency, specialising in purchasing or renting properties from real estate agencies and landlords, transforming them into ‘Houses in Multiple Occupations’ (HMOs) and subsequently subletting individual rooms.
In the context of property management, an HMO, or ‘House in Multiple Occupations,’ refers to a property rented out to at least three individuals from different households who share common facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens.
HMO Unity alleviates the burdens associated with tenant management for property agents, providing landlords with peace of mind and the assurance of stable, extended rental income.
For tenants, HMO Unity offers the convenience of a single weekly rental fee, encompassing a comprehensive package of amenities, including utilities, fully furnished accommodations, and unlimited internet access.
Since its inception in 2020, Arie’s innovative concept has seen impressive growth, encompassing the rental of approximately 85 rooms across 18 properties.
Arie’s determination to elevate his modest enterprise led him to apply for the South Australian Business Chamber’s SAYES program in 2022, on a placement sponsored by the City of Charles Sturt’s economic development initiatives, the LGA where he lives and started his business. On his application, he highlighted that he was a one-person operation, poised to take his venture to the next level.
“As an international individual, I started my business because I couldn’t find the right home. I understand how hard it is to live away from home, family, and friends, and I hoped HMO Unity could offer a place where others feel right at home and where people are united as a family,” Arie stated on his SAYES application.
The South Australian Business Chamber CEO Andrew Kay commended Arie’s entrepreneurial spirit and offered his congratulations on a well-deserved new title. “Arie has already started to make his mark and is committed to HMO Unity’s expansion,” said Mr Kay.
“Once again, the South Australian Business Chamber SAYES program has delivered an exceptional standard of graduates, and what Arie has learned and developed under the guidance of his facilitators and mentor will help propel HMO Unity towards its ambitious growth objectives”, he added.
In the next 12 months, HMO Unity hopes to adapt its existing business model and expand its services to other capital cities in Australia, and slowly start building an investment properties portfolio.
Celebrating its 25th year last night, the SAYES program is designed to nurture, grow, and scale start-up and early-stage businesses for South Australians under 35. The South Australian Business Chamber thanks the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science and VAILO for their generous support of this program, which has supported over 700 young South Australians over the last 25 years.
MEDIA CONTACT
Anthony Caldwell, Manager – Marketing, Media, Communications
Phone – 0421 508 075
Email – anthony.caldwell@business-sa.com
