Blocks of units in Hadfield represent one of Melbourne’s most accessible multi-tenancy investment opportunities, offering investors the chance to acquire a portfolio of rental incomes under a single title in an established, well-connected northern suburb. If you are researching investing Hadfield for the first time or looking to scale an existing portfolio, this guide covers the real numbers, the key considerations, and exactly how Collings Real Estate can help you move with confidence.

What Are Blocks of Units in Hadfield, and Why Do Investors Buy Them?

A block of units is a single property title containing multiple self-contained dwellings, typically ranging from two to ten or more units on one parcel of land. Unlike buying individual apartments scattered across a suburb, a unit block gives an investor consolidated ownership — one council rate notice, one insurance policy, one property manager, and one set of acquisition costs spread across multiple income-producing tenancies.

Hadfield, located roughly 10 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD in the City of Moreland (now Merri-bek), sits between Coburg North and Glenroy. The suburb benefits from easy access to Sydney Road retail and dining, multiple tram and bus routes, and Glenroy train station just minutes away. For tenants, this connectivity is a strong pull. For landlords, high tenant demand means lower vacancy risk — a foundational advantage when managing a block of units.

Investors who want to explore the broader market alongside Hadfield will find a detailed overview of available opportunities in Collings’ guide to Blocks of Units for Sale in Melbourne 2026, which covers comparable suburbs across the north and inner north.

What Do the Numbers Say About Hadfield Property in 2025–2026?

Concrete data is what separates a sound investment decision from speculation. Here is what the verified figures show for Hadfield property right now.

Median Sale Prices

• Median unit price: $635,000 (April–June 2025 quarter) — up 10.4% quarter-on-quarter and up 25.4% year-on-year, according to DataVic/REIV data (via Collings CRM).
• Median house price: $816,000 (April–June 2025 quarter) — down 2.7% quarter-on-quarter and down 9.4% year-on-year, per the same DataVic/REIV dataset.

The contrast between unit and house performance is striking. While house values have softened, unit values in Hadfield have surged 25.4% year-on-year — a signal that buyer and tenant demand for more affordable, higher-density dwellings is intensifying. For an investor acquiring a block of units, this trend points to both capital growth potential and strong rental demand underpinning the asset class.

Suburb Demographics

According to ABS Census 2021 data (via Collings CRM), Hadfield has the following profile:

• Population: 6,269 residents
• Median age: 36.0 years
• Median household income: $1,523 per week
• Median rent: $370 per week

A median age of 36 points to a suburb of working-age renters and young families — exactly the cohort most likely to occupy unit-style accommodation. A median rent of $370 per week, while a 2021 benchmark, provides a conservative baseline; market rents across Melbourne’s northern suburbs have risen materially since the Census, meaning actual achievable rents today are likely higher. Investors should request current comparable rental appraisals from a local property manager before modelling cash flow.

Buyer and Seller Demand Signals

Internal demand signals tracked through Collings’ CRM (sourced from Doma demand data) show active buyer interest in units, townhouses, and houses in Hadfield. While volumes are modest — reflecting the suburb’s limited size — the presence of active buyers for unit and townhouse product confirms that exit liquidity exists for investors who need to realise capital in the future.

For context on how Hadfield compares to neighbouring suburbs on yield metrics, the Collings guide to rental yield Melbourne suburbs in 2026 provides a useful benchmark across the broader northern corridor.

What Are the Key Considerations When Buying a Block of Units in Hadfield?

Unit blocks are not a passive investment. They reward buyers who understand the asset class thoroughly before exchanging contracts. Below are the most important factors to assess.

Zoning and Development Potential

Much of Hadfield falls under the General Residential Zone (GRZ) within Merri-bek Council. Depending on the specific zoning schedule applied to a given site, there may be scope for additional dwellings, a secondary dwelling, or future redevelopment. Always confirm the zone schedule and any overlays (such as Vegetation Protection or Design and Development Overlays) with a town planner before making an offer.

Building Condition and Capital Expenditure

Older brick unit blocks — common in Hadfield given the suburb’s mid-20th-century development pattern — can carry deferred maintenance. Buyers should commission a thorough building and pest inspection and, for blocks larger than four units, an independent structural engineering assessment. Budget for roof replacement, rewiring, and plumbing upgrades when modelling net returns.

Tenancy Mix and Lease Terms

Acquiring a tenanted block is generally preferable to a vacant one, as it provides immediate income and evidence of market rent. However, review each lease carefully. Month-to-month tenancies offer flexibility for renovation or repositioning; fixed-term leases at below-market rents may cap short-term income. A balanced mix is often ideal.

Financing Structure

Lenders treat multi-unit blocks differently from single dwellings. Blocks of five or more units are typically assessed as commercial property, which changes loan-to-value ratio (LVR) limits, interest rate pricing, and lender appetite. Engage a commercial mortgage broker early in the process. Even for smaller blocks (two to four units), lenders will want to see independent rental appraisals for all dwellings before approving finance.

Body Corporate (OC) Versus Single Title

Some unit blocks have an Owners Corporation registered over common areas; others are held as a single title with no OC. Single-title blocks give the investor complete control over decisions and eliminate OC fees, making them simpler to manage. However, OC structures can make it easier to sell individual units as separate lots in the future if a vendor title strategy is pursued.

Buyers who want to understand how these structural differences play out across Melbourne’s broader unit block market will find the Collings Blocks of Units investment and development hub a useful starting point for comparing deal structures.

How Does Collings Real Estate Help Investors Buy Blocks of Units in Hadfield?

Collings Real Estate has been operating in Melbourne’s northern suburbs for decades, with deep expertise in multi-tenancy assets, off-market transactions, and investor-grade due diligence. Here is what working with Collings looks like in practice.

Off-Market Access

The majority of genuine blocks of units in Hadfield never reach the public portals. Owners of established blocks frequently prefer a discreet sale to avoid disrupting tenants and to minimise vendor marketing costs. Collings maintains an active off-market pipeline fed by long-standing vendor relationships across the northern suburbs. Investors registered on the Collings portal receive alerts when matching stock becomes available before it is offered publicly.

You can register your buying criteria at the Collings off-market property portal to receive early access to Hadfield unit block listings.

Suburb-Level Market Intelligence

Collings’ agents operate at street level in Hadfield and surrounding suburbs including Coburg North, Pascoe Vale, and Glenroy. This means access to genuine comparable sales data, realistic rental appraisals, and an honest assessment of a block’s condition and upside — not just a sales pitch designed to justify an asking price.

End-to-End Property Management

Once a block is acquired, Collings Property Management can take over the tenancy management of all units under a single management agreement. This simplifies administration significantly and ensures that rent collection, maintenance coordination, lease renewals, and compliance obligations are handled by a team already familiar with the asset.

Get in Touch

To enquire about off-market unit blocks in Hadfield or to discuss your investment criteria with a specialist, contact Collings Real Estate directly:

• Phone: 03 9486 2000
• Email: info@collings.com.au
• Office: 230 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe, VIC 3079

Frequently Asked Questions About Blocks of Units in Hadfield

What is the median unit price in Hadfield?

According to DataVic/REIV data (via Collings CRM), the median unit sale price in Hadfield was $635,000 for the April–June 2025 quarter, reflecting a 25.4% year-on-year increase — one of the strongest unit price growth figures recorded in Melbourne’s northern suburbs over that period.

Is Hadfield a good suburb for rental investment?

Hadfield shows strong indicators for rental investment. ABS Census 2021 data records a median rent of $370 per week, a working-age median population of 36.0 years, and a median household income of $1,523 per week. Combined with the suburb’s proximity to transport and Sydney Road amenities, tenant demand for affordable unit-style housing remains robust.

How many units are typically in a Hadfield unit block?

Unit blocks in Hadfield and comparable inner-northern suburbs typically range from two to eight dwellings. Smaller walk-up brick blocks of three to six units built in the 1960s to 1980s are the most common stock type. Larger blocks do appear periodically, particularly on wider allotments closer to main roads.

Can I access off-market unit blocks in Hadfield through Collings?

Yes. Collings Real Estate maintains an active off-market pipeline for multi-tenancy assets in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Investors can register their buying criteria at the Collings portal (collings.com.au/portal) to receive priority notification of Hadfield unit block opportunities before they reach public listing portals.

What zoning applies to most unit sites in Hadfield?

Most residential land in Hadfield falls under the General Residential Zone (GRZ) within the City of Merri-bek. Specific schedule requirements and any applicable overlays vary by site and should be confirmed with a town planner or with Merri-bek Council directly before committing to a purchase.

Blocks of units in Hadfield combine a compelling demographic profile, recently accelerating unit values, and the scale advantages that make multi-tenancy assets a cornerstone of serious property portfolios. With median unit prices rising 25.4% year-on-year and strong tenant demand driven by a young, working-age population, the suburb deserves close attention from investors targeting Melbourne’s northern corridor in 2026. Collings Real Estate is best placed to help you identify, assess, and acquire the right asset — including stock that never reaches the open market.