Hong Kong's private offices risk obsolescence by 2030 as nearly two-thirds will exceed 30 years old. Experts emphasize the need for energy resilience, supply, connectivity, and tech infrastructure to meet AI-driven future standards, with some buildings already showing value and efficiency declines.
UK renters are now protected from unfair rent hikes as the Renters Right Act, effective May 1, 2026, prohibits landlords from using rent review clauses. Landlords must now follow the Section 13 process, giving two months' notice, with tenants able to challenge increases at the First-tier Tribunal.
Germany's proposed "Mietrecht II" law tightens regulations for landlords, including stricter rules on furnished apartment pricing, enhanced eviction protection for tenants, and caps on index rent increases. The reforms aim to address housing market pressures but face criticism from landlord associations.
Germany's new rent law reform proposes stricter regulations for landlords, including mandatory disclosure of furnishing surcharges, limitations on index rent increases, and enhanced tenant protection against evictions. The proposed changes aim to increase tenant rights and regulate the housing market more tightly.
A new bill in England will allow social housing landlords to evict domestic abuse perpetrators, protecting victims. It also extends the right-to-buy tenancy requirement from 3 to 10 years and aims to fix the decline in social housing.
Australian renters are missing out on energy upgrades due to landlords' lack of motivation, resulting in higher power bills and reduced home comfort
Indian tenancy laws mandate a legal process for eviction, prohibiting landlords from forceful removal. Key steps include a written rental agreement, serving a formal eviction notice (15 days for monthly, 6 months for yearly tenancies), and adhering to specific grounds like non-payment of rent or lease expiry. The Model Tenancy Act, 2021, aims to modernize these regulations.
Mainland Chinese retail brands are increasingly entering Hong Kong, with a notable shift from food and beverage to non-F&B sectors like fashion, beauty, and jewelry, according to JLL analysts. This trend is helping landlords fill vacant retail spaces.
Only four of Hong Kong's 110,000 subdivided homes have been submitted for certification approval since a new law to phase out substandard units was enacted, indicating a very low participation rate. One landlord submitted three applications, citing renovation challenges.
Housing policy changes announced in the federal budget could make it easier for some to buy homes, but others are planning to sell before they lose too much.
The UK Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces new rules for landlords and tenants, including the requirement for landlords to provide an Information Sheet to tenants by May 31, 2026
Brisbane City Council announces it will not go ahead with plans to regulate landlords' use of short-stay apps such as Airbnb and Stayz.
New owner Modella Capital, which rebranded shops to TG Jones, blames weak consumer spending Dozens of former WH Smith stores are likely to close, putting thousands of jobs at risk under a radical restructuring plan by their new owner, which had rebranded the shops to TG Jones,The investment company Modella Capital, which bought WH Smith’s chain of 480 high street stores for £76m last year, blamed “weak consumer spending” as it set out the plan to landlords on Wednesday. Continue reading...
Modella Capital, which rebranded shops as TG Jones, unveils major restructure and is seeking rent holidaysUp to 150 former WH Smith stores are likely to close, putting thousands of jobs at risk under a radical restructuring plan by their new owner, which had rebranded the shops as TG Jones.The investment company Modella Capital, which bought WH Smith’s chain of 480 high street stores for £76m last year, blamed “weak consumer spending” as it set out the plan to landlords on Wednesday. Continue reading...
The rising number of private renters in Britain have for too long put up with chronically insecure tenancy agreements and poor conditionsThe defining trend in British housing in recent decades has been towards private renting. The sector in England nearly doubled in size between 2004 and 2013. By 2023 almost two-fifths of households were either renting privately or socially. Meanwhile, the dream of home ownership has steadily eroded: 39% of 25- to 34-year-olds owned their home in 2023, 20 percentage points lower than the peak (59%) in 2000. Many younger adults now rent from a private landlord as the default, and expect to do so for the rest of their lives.Which is why the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act is important. Until last week, landlords could evict a tenant for requesting a reasonable repair, or challenging a rent hike. A poll in 2023 for the charity Shelter found that tenants who complained to their landlord or local authority were 159% more likely to be served a no-fault eviction notice than those who did not. The fear was that complaints could cost tenants their homes. It was customary for landlords to pre-emptively evict tenants if they wanted to raise rents. Continue reading...
Under the proposed laws, landlords will no longer be allowed to terminate a tenant's lease without giving a reason. The state government says it is taking a "commonsense approach" to addressing a tight housing market.
Under the proposed laws, landlords will no longer be allowed to terminate a tenant's lease without giving a reason.
Under the proposed laws, landlords will no longer be allowed to terminate a tenant's lease without giving a reason.
Exclusive: Accessories chain will be reopened in the UK by its operator in France, Austria, Portugal and SpainThe jewellery and accessories chain Claire’s is expected to return to UK high streets with about 50 stores to be reopened from June onwards by the operator of its shops in France, Austria, Portugal and Spain.Julien Jarjoura, the French entrepreneur behind jewellery company Une Ligne, which sells online and via museum stores including the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, said he had the blessing of the US owner of the Claire’s brand, Ames Watson, to open stores in the UK and was signing new leases with UK landlords. Continue reading...
The Renters' Rights Act, coming into force on 1 May 2026, bans fixed-term tenancies in England, replacing them with rolling contracts. The legislation eliminates no-fault Section 21 evictions, requiring landlords to have valid legal grounds. Landlords must give four months' notice for eviction (or four weeks for significant rent arrears), while tenants can leave with two months' notice. Rent can only increase once yearly with two months' notice, and discrimination against benefit recipients and families is now illegal.
The Renters' Rights Act, taking effect 1 May 2026 in England, bans fixed-term tenancies and 'no-fault' evictions, giving 11 million renters greater security. Landlords must now have valid legal reasons to evict with four months' notice, can only raise rent once yearly with two months' notice, and must consider pet requests. Some landlord groups warn of potential delays in removing problematic tenants, while the government invests in court resources.
Major UK tax and savings changes take effect from 6 April 2027, including a £12,000 cap on cash Isas for under-65s (down from £20,000), a 2 percentage point increase in income tax on savings and rental income, and Making Tax Digital threshold falling to £30,000. Financial advisers urge people to review their plans now rather than wait.
Shares in UK buy-to-let lenders Paragon and OSB Group fell 2.4% and 3.6% respectively on Tuesday after speculation that chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering a one-year rent freeze for private landlords in England to protect households from rising costs linked to the Middle East conflict. The education secretary later said the measure is not actively being pursued, while the Renters' Rights Act comes into force on Friday bringing significant sector changes.
Landlords tell BBC News why they fear new laws could make it harder to remove problematic tenants.
