Blocks of units in Croydon North represent one of Melbourne’s outer-east opportunities for investors seeking scale, reliable cash flow, and long-term capital growth on a single title. This guide covers what the current numbers say about the Croydon North property market, what to weigh before buying, and how Collings Real Estate can help you secure the right asset.
What Are Blocks of Units in Croydon North, and Why Do Investors Buy There?
A block of units — sometimes called a multi-dwelling investment or residential unit block — is a single freehold title containing two or more self-contained dwellings. Investors buy them to collect multiple rental income streams from one purchase, which reduces per-tenancy vacancy risk and concentrates management under one roof. In an established suburb like Croydon North, older walk-up unit blocks also offer the added attraction of underlying land value, which can support future development or repositioning strategies.
Croydon North sits in Melbourne’s outer-east, within the Maroondah local government area, roughly 33 kilometres from the CBD. The suburb’s generous allotments, proximity to the Eastland retail precinct, Ringwood train line, and Maroondah Highway connectivity make it attractive to the kind of stable, long-term tenants that underpin solid residential yields. For investors already familiar with Blocks of Units across Melbourne’s inner and middle rings, the outer east offers a different value proposition: lower entry prices relative to inner suburbs, larger land components, and a tenant demographic skewing toward families and established professionals.
ABS Census 2021 records a median household income of $2,156 per week in Croydon North, which is above the Melbourne metropolitan average. That income profile supports rental affordability and reduces the likelihood of prolonged vacancy or rent arrears — two of the biggest risk factors for unit block investors.
What Do the Numbers Say About the Croydon North Property Market in 2026?
Understanding the underlying market is essential before committing capital to any suburb. Here is what the data shows for Croydon North.
Median Sale Prices
According to DataVic/REIV data (via the Collings CRM research dataset), the April to June 2025 quarter recorded the following medians:
- Median house price: $1,110,000 (quarter-on-quarter change: -0.4%; year-on-year change: +14.7%)
- Median unit price: $663,000 (quarter-on-quarter change: -11.7%; year-on-year change: -8.2%)
The house price trajectory is particularly instructive for unit block investors. A 14.7% year-on-year increase in house values signals that the land component underpinning older unit blocks is appreciating strongly. The softening in individual unit values over the same period is consistent with a broader national trend of apartment oversupply in certain segments, but it also points to a potential buying window for investors acquiring whole blocks at repositioned pricing.
Rental Market and Demographics
ABS Census 2021 data (via the Collings CRM brain) shows Croydon North’s population at 8,092 residents, with a median age of 40.0 years. The median rent sits at $410 per week. That rental figure, measured against a median unit purchase price of $663,000 for a single dwelling, implies a gross yield of approximately 3.2% on an individual unit. Across a whole block, however, economies of scale in management and maintenance, combined with the ability to negotiate a keener purchase price per dwelling, typically push effective yields higher.
Investors looking to benchmark Croydon North against other Melbourne suburbs should also review the rental yield Melbourne analysis Collings has published, which covers high-performing suburbs across the metropolitan area.
Investor Sentiment and Lending Activity
According to Herron Todd White’s March 2026 Month in Review, investor activity across Australian residential markets has strengthened considerably. While that review focused primarily on NSW, it noted that investor lending grew from below 30% of new NSW lending in mid-2020 to 46.2% by September 2025 — the highest share in nearly a decade — and that investors led the mortgage charge with a 12.3% increase in new loans over twelve months, compared with just 1.7% for owner-occupiers. These national investor sentiment indicators are directionally relevant to Victoria as well, where similar infrastructure investment, relative affordability, and remote-work-driven demand patterns are sustaining outer-suburban interest.
What Are the Key Considerations When Buying a Unit Block in Croydon North?
Buying a block of units is materially different from buying a single investment property. The due diligence scope is broader, the financing structure can be more complex, and the management responsibilities are greater. Here are the factors that matter most.
Zoning and Development Potential
Croydon North falls under Maroondah City Council’s planning scheme. Many older unit blocks in the suburb sit on Neighbourhood Residential or General Residential zoned land. Before purchasing, confirm the current zone, any applicable overlays (particularly Vegetation Protection Overlays, which are common in the area), and whether the site could support additional dwellings or a future redevelopment. A planning permit pre-application meeting with Maroondah Council can clarify these questions early in your due diligence.
Building Condition and Capital Expenditure
Unit blocks built in the 1960s and 1970s — which are common in Croydon North — often require attention to roofing, wiring, plumbing, and common area amenities. Commission an independent building and pest inspection and, for blocks of four or more dwellings, consider engaging a quantity surveyor to prepare a capital expenditure schedule before exchanging contracts. Surprises in this area are the most common reason investors regret a unit block purchase.
Owners Corporation (OC) Status
Some unit blocks in Croydon North are registered under an Owners Corporation, which means there are ongoing OC fees, a maintenance fund, and OC rules that affect how individual tenancies are managed. Others are held on a single title with no OC, which gives the owner full control. Confirm the title structure with your solicitor and review any OC financial statements before proceeding.
Rental Income Verification
Request copies of all current leases, rent ledgers for at least twelve months, and any outstanding maintenance requests. Cross-reference the stated rents against the ABS benchmark of $410 per week for the suburb to assess whether the income is at, above, or below market. Below-market rents on a recently acquired block can be an opportunity — provided tenancy law allows you to bring rents to market at the next lease renewal.
Finance Structure
Lenders treat blocks of units differently depending on the number of dwellings and the title structure. Blocks of up to four dwellings on a single residential title generally attract standard residential lending terms. Larger blocks or those with commercial components may require commercial or semi-commercial financing, with different loan-to-value ratios and interest rate structures. Engage a mortgage broker experienced in multi-dwelling investment finance before you make an offer.
Investors who want a broader perspective on how unit blocks are transacted across Melbourne can explore the unit blocks melbourne listings guide for context on pricing, typical lot sizes, and current market depth.
How Does Collings Real Estate Help Investors Buying Blocks of Units in Croydon North?
Collings Real Estate has been operating in Melbourne’s investment property market for decades, with particular depth in multi-dwelling and development-site transactions. The team’s knowledge of Croydon North and the broader Maroondah corridor means buyers and vendors get advice grounded in local sales evidence, not generic assumptions.
Off-Market Access
Many unit block transactions in Croydon North never reach public listing portals. Owners of older blocks often prefer a discreet, negotiated sale to a qualified buyer over a public auction campaign. Collings maintains an active network of property holders across the outer east, and investors registered through the off-market portal are alerted to these opportunities before they reach the open market. Registering takes less than a minute and costs nothing.
End-to-End Transaction Support
From initial property search and comparative market analysis through to negotiation, contract management, and settlement, the Collings team provides structured support at every stage. For investors new to unit block acquisitions, the team can also connect you with trusted solicitors, building inspectors, quantity surveyors, and property managers who specialise in multi-dwelling assets.
Property Management
Once you own the block, ongoing management is critical to protecting your yield. Collings’ property management division handles tenant selection, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and compliance obligations across multiple-tenancy assets. Keeping vacancy rates low and maintenance costs controlled is where experienced multi-dwelling management earns its value.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocks of Units in Croydon North
What is the median unit price in Croydon North?
According to DataVic/REIV data (via Collings’ CRM research dataset), the median unit sale price in Croydon North for the April to June 2025 quarter was $663,000. This represents a year-on-year change of -8.2%, suggesting a potential entry opportunity for buyers acquiring individual units or whole blocks.
What rental income can I expect from a unit block in Croydon North?
ABS Census 2021 data (via the Collings CRM brain) records a median rent of $410 per week across Croydon North. Actual rents per dwelling within a unit block will vary depending on dwelling size, condition, and current lease terms. Investors should verify current rents against independent market appraisals before purchasing.
Is Croydon North good for property investment in 2026?
Croydon North shows a strong house price growth trajectory of +14.7% year-on-year to June 2025, which benefits unit block investors through land value appreciation. The suburb’s above-average household income of $2,156 per week (ABS Census 2021) supports rental demand and tenant quality. As with any investment, outcomes depend on the specific asset, purchase price, and management strategy.
How do I find off-market unit blocks for sale in Croydon North?
Collings Real Estate maintains an off-market property portal where registered investors receive notifications about unit blocks and development sites before they are publicly listed. You can register at collings.com.au/portal to access this service.
How many dwellings does a typical unit block in Croydon North contain?
Unit blocks in Croydon North typically range from two to eight dwellings, with the most common format being three to six walk-up units built between the 1960s and 1980s. Larger blocks are less common but do emerge on the market periodically, particularly where the vendor is an estate or long-term owner looking for a clean exit.
Ready to Enquire About Off-Market Unit Blocks in Croydon North?
Croydon North’s combination of strong land value growth, an established rental market, and an income-capable tenant demographic makes it a worthy suburb to consider when building or expanding a unit block portfolio. Whether you are a first-time multi-dwelling buyer or an experienced investor seeking scale, the Collings team is positioned to help you identify, assess, and acquire the right asset.
Contact Collings Real Estate today to discuss your investment brief or to register for off-market opportunities.
- Phone: 03 9486 2000
- Email: info@collings.com.au
- Address: 230 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe, VIC 3079
- Off-market portal: Register to access off-market unit blocks
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