Teneo takes control of Bathla Group in 542-company Aadministration

Bathla Group, one of Western Sydney’s largest residential property developers and builders, has entered voluntary administration, with Stephen Longley, Rebecca Gill, Daniel Walley, Adam Colley and Andy Scott of Teneo appointed over Universal Property Group Pty Limited and hundreds of related companies on 25 August 2026. ASIC notices published the following day identify 542 distinct companies entering voluntary administration on the same date, each following an appointment by its directors. The appointment encompasses a sprawling development structure centred on Universal Property Group, alongside numbered UPG entities and other companies associated with Bathla’s residential development and construction operations.

Bathla was founded in New South Wales in 1997 and has become a major developer of houses, townhouses, apartments and residential land, particularly across Western Sydney. Its activities subsequently expanded into regional New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

Managing director Bhart Bhushan attributed the group’s financial difficulties to what he described as a combination of significantly softer property sales, changes arising from the federal government’s May 2026 budget, weaker confidence in key markets and substantial increases in construction costs absorbed by the group. Chief executive Robert Loader separately pointed to declining sales, falling property prices and rising construction costs. The group said changing market conditions had also flowed through to lending markets and placed additional financial pressure on the business. Media reports have placed the group’s liabilities above $3 billion.

Teneo has taken control of the affected companies and said its immediate priority is to stabilise operations while engaging with lenders and other key stakeholders. The administrators have commenced urgent discussions with financiers aimed at maintaining construction activity, supporting employees and allowing projects and property settlements to continue where funding and circumstances permit.