Latest news with #LAU
Web Release
5 days ago
- Health
- Web Release
LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital Launches Executive Health Preventive Program: A New Milestone in Personalized Preventive Care
LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital proudly launched its new Executive Health Preventive Program, a visionary initiative designed to elevate preventive care and promote wellness and longevity. By combining advanced diagnostics with personalized strategies, the program empowers individuals to take proactive control of their health and lifestyle. The launch event, held on July 24 at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, brought together leaders from third-party administrators (TPAs) and insurance companies, media representatives, and members of the medical center's leadership headed by LAU President Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, along with Executive Vice President Dr. Zeina Khoury Stevens and CEO Mr. Sami Rizk, alongside physicians, faculty, nurses, and staff. The event opened with a welcome address by LAU President Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, highlighting the hospital's dedication to innovation and patient-centered care. Dr. Georges Ghanem, Director of the Executive Health Preventive Program, then presented the program's unique, proactive approach to health management. CEO Mr. Sami Rizk followed with an overview of the academic medical center's upgraded facility, noting 'This successful collaboration between our architects and end-users resulted in a thoughtfully designed space that enhances both operational performance and patient comfort.' The session concluded with an open Q&A. Attendees were then invited on a guided tour of the medical center's new facility, exploring key areas such as the advanced patient rooms, executive suites, Hybrid Operating Room, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Cath Lab, Stroke Center, and other critical departments. The tour concluded with a reception held in the garden of the academic medical center, celebrating its commitment to innovation, patient-centered care, and compassionate healing. Rooted in the latest scientific research and aligned with global clinical practice guidelines, the program delivers comprehensive and efficient care tailored to patients' needs. It offers a full spectrum of state-of-the-art evaluations and therapeutics within a streamlined experience to ensure minimal disruption to patients' busy schedules. 'This program reflects our deep belief that healthcare should be proactive, not just reactive,' said Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, President of the Lebanese American University. 'Through the integration of scientific excellence and holistic, patient-centered care, we are committed to empowering individuals to proactively manage their health. In doing so, we take pride in redefining the benchmarks of preventive medicine in Lebanon and across the region.' This program marks another milestone in LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital's mission to lead in medical excellence and community well-being.
Local Spain
11-07-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
Do I have to pay a deposit if I'm renting a room in Spain?
With rising rental costs in Spain, the housing crisis has forced many renters to forgo flats and rent rooms in a shared house instead. This is increasingly common in Spain and has led to questions about deposits (fianzas in Spanish). According to Spanish legislation, in general terms deposits for residential rentals in Spain are usually equal to one month's rent, and for non-residential rentals (commercial premises and offices, for example) it is usually two months' rent, but there's less certainty about individual room rentals. So, can a landlord request a deposit from you when renting a room in Spain? LAU or civil code? Spain's Urban Lease Law (LAU) does not specify much about individual room rentals. Therefore, these are not generally covered by the LAU, but rather via private agreement between parties and the provisions of the Civil Code (Article 1554 to be specific) as they do not constitute 'a complete and habitual dwelling,' according to property site Idealista. However, this does not necessarily have to be the case. If the rental contract clearly states that the property will be used as a habitual residence, including access to common areas, duration, registration and deposit, it can in theory be covered by the LAU. Be sure to check the small print of your contract before signing as it could impact on whether you end up paying a deposit. Do I have to pay a deposit for a room rental in Spain? It depends. Whether the rental contract is regulated by the LAU or the civil code, a deposit may be requested by the landlord. That is to say: deposits on room rentals are not always mandatory but very common in Spain, especially with the growing competition for affordable rooms in Spain's bigger cities. As The Local has reported, renting a room is now almost 10 percent more expensive than a year ago, according to new data from Idealista. However, more shocking is that the price rise is 90 percent when compared to figures from 2015. Many landlords therefore now ask for deposits as standard procedure. If the lease is covered under the LAU, according to Idealista paying a deposit will be obligatory. The maximum amount that can be requested (in the case of a primary residence) is one month's rent, and the landlord must deposit the amount with the housing agency in their region. If the room rental contract is regulated by the civil code and agreed between private parties, it is not mandatory to pay a deposit. In these cases, the amount is at the discretion of the landlord and tenant and must be established by mutual agreement before formalising the contract. The landlord does not have to deposit it with any official entity to safeguard the deposit if one is paid. The tenant has the right to refuse to pay the deposit but in such a competitive market, most landlords will likely look for another tenant willing to pay. There is no law imposing this requirement on room rentals covered by the civil code but it has in effect become the norm. It should be noted here that it's very likely the landlord will request a deposit for a room rental, regardless of the specifics of the contract or binding legislation. Such high demand in the rental market at the moment, combined with growing concerns among landlords about non-payment and squatters, means that in 2025 it's almost certain that a landlord will ask for a deposit, regardless of the contract. So, although legally speaking there are cases in which it's not mandatory, in practical terms, with landlords spoilt for choice nowadays the answer is likely yes, you do have to pay a deposit if you're renting a room in Spain.
Local Spain
29-05-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
300,000 tenants in Spain hold their breath for the ‘great rent hike'
Hundreds of thousands of renters in Spain could face what the Spanish press has dubbed the 'great rent hike' in the next year, forecasts suggest. The Spanish rental market has had a particularly turbulent time in recent years. This is especially true in the post-pandemic period, when an explosion in short-term tourist rentals combined with supply shortages have sent prices soaring and forced locals to spend up to half their income on rent or, in many cases, leave their neighbourhoods altogether. Now things could be about to get a lot worse for hundreds of thousands of tenants across Spain. According to figures from El País, over the course of 2025 more than 300,000 households in Spain will see rental contracts signed in 2020 expire, a year in which the pandemic prompted a large number of rushed renewals and new leases as people sought out security. In 2019, Spain's Law on Urban Leases (LAU) was amended, extending the duration of contracts from three to five years, or seven if the tenant is a company. Therefore, contracts signed after the change will begin to expire in 2025. Spanish law also establishes that contracts be updated in the case of properties owned by individuals, who make up the majority of landlords. This means that a huge cohort of tenants could face rent hikes of between 20 and 30 percent, according to conservative forecasts. However, this figure varies significantly depending on the source. While real estate portals, which usually base their figures on asking prices, not actual contracts, report increases of close to 40 percent, other experts, such as José García Montalvo, a professor at Pompeu Fabra University, who told El País that the real increases would likely not exceed 30 percent, based on tax records from the tax agency. In any case, even the most conservative estimates seem to confirm that the rent hikes will be substantial for low and middle-income households across the country. For many, leaving their tenancy will not be an option because the volatility of the rental market means prices are going up everywhere and a 20-30 percent increase may be their best option. According to price data from Idealista, the average price of rental housing in Spain in April 2020 was €10.7 m2 per month. By the same period of 2025, it had risen to €14.3, an increase of 38.3 percent. This means that tenants paid an average monthly rent of €856 for an 80 m2 property in 2020, but in 2025 the same property would cost €1,144 per month. In cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, as well as in the Balearic and Canary Islands, prices have more than doubled in some areas.
Web Release
09-05-2025
- Health
- Web Release
LAU Medical Centers Provide Essential Medical Support at the 2025 OMT Beirut Marathon
By Editor_wr On May 9, 2025 LAU Medical Centers proudly participated in the 2025 OMT Beirut Marathon, held on Thursday, May 1, continuing a meaningful tradition that began in 2018. As the exclusive medical provider for the Beirut Marathon Association, LAU Medical Centers reaffirmed their commitment to healing with compassion and community service through a strong and vital presence on the ground. For the fifth consecutive year, LAU Medical Centers deployed an extensive team across three key locations: at the Gathering Area of the start and finish line, equipped with one Mobile Clinic, in Bourj Hammoud featuring a second Mobile Clinic and in Dbayeh. This coordinated presence significantly enhanced medical readiness and ensured swift response times throughout the event. More than 150 team members represented LAU Medical Centers, including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, logistics personnel, and members of the LAU Mobile Clinic and MarCom teams. They were also joined by 100 LAU affiliated runners, bringing the total LAU presence to nearly 250 participants. 'We take immense pride in contributing to the safety and well-being of everyone on the course and supporitng the causes they are running for' said Dr. Rachid Rahme, Head of Emergency at LAUMC Saint John's Hospital and the Medical Director of the Marathon. The day also witnessed the active involvement of Dr. Sally Al-Rabbaa, CEO of LAU Medical Center–Saint John's Hospital, and Mr. Saad El Zein, Head of Strategic Communications at LAU. Dr. Al-Rabbaa visited all medical stations thanking the teams, while Mr. El Zein reflected on the significance of LAU's ongoing partnership with the marathon by saying 'Partnering with the Beirut Marathon has become a cherished tradition for us that reflects our deep-rooted belief in healing with compassion and standing alongside the community and every runner in their journey of strength and resilience.' Under this year's inspiring theme, 'Run from the finish to the start,' LAU Medical Centers stood by the marathon's powerful message of resilience, health, and unity values that echo deeply with the institution's mission and spirit. Comments are closed.
Local Spain
10-04-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
Barcelona to limit temporary rent prices so landlords stop skirting rules
The Catalan regional government has passed long-awaited rules to better regulate temporary rental contracts (contratos de temporada) and room rentals in the northeastern region. The legislation aims to control seasonal rental contracts and will limit the conditions, such as price caps, under which they can be rented for tourist or recreational use, a common method used by landlords to get around rules and bypass price caps. This comes at a time of crisis in the rental market in Catalonia and the country more widely. Nine out of ten tenants in Barcelona now have temporary rental contracts, according to a December 2024 study published by the Barcelona Urban Research Institute (IDRA). T hree quarters of rental ads in Barcelona are for rooms, which are also usually done via seasonal or temporary contratos de temporada. The reason why temporary or seasonal rental contracts under a year in length have become so common in Barcelona and around Spain is that landlords don't have to abide by price controls as they're not deemed long-term residential contracts. Barcelona and Catalonia already have price controls for 'stressed rental areas' which mean that long-term rentals, including new ones, cannot be above a certain price, and on a national level there's a rent cap on existing long-term contracts that prevent year-on-year increases of more than around 3 percent, also in place in Catalonia. Therefore, if a landlord rents out a property to a tenant for between 32 days (anything under is considered short-term rental) and 364 days (anything over is deemed a long-term contract) they don't have to abide by the Urban Leasing Law (LAU) as they're considered to be temporary rentals. Facing this, a deal was struck between the ruling Catalan Socialists and smaller parties ERC, Comuns and CUP to rubber stamp a decree-law on housing in the regional Parlament and move forward with processing it as a bill. The main change is limits on the type of rentals used for seasonal contracts. They can be recreational, for which there is no price cap, or residential, for which there are. Contracts must meet certain requirements for offering a seasonal rental for recreational use as they are more financially lucrative. However, the idea behind the new rules is that new contracts must be mainly residential. Therefore, seasonal contracts for residential use will be subject to the price ceiling set by the Housing Law for conventional rental contracts, a move intended to discourage the method used by many owners to circumvent the rules. 'In the case of seasonal rentals, the new contracts must prove their use and purpose, and the residence of the person renting them,' said Susanna Segovia of Comuns. Thus, only if a person can prove that they have a fixed home can landlords offer seasonal rentals for recreational use. 'This is a very good agreement, a maximum agreement,' Segovia added. The agreement also extends protections on housing that was due to expire with the declaration of further 'stressed rental areas', and the regional government will start a register of large property owners. There was already an inventory of companies and investment funds with multiple properties, but the agreement allows for the inclusion of individuals on the database in order to more easily apply property transfer taxes. Around a month ago, the Socialists and Comuns agreed to increase the tax from 10 percent to 20 percent for large property owners. Students who move to another city during the academic year will be able to obtain seasonal rentals for residential use, for which the price will be subject to limitations. The new regulation also limits room rentals: the sum of all rents may not exceed the ceiling established by state law.
