Latest news with #propertyOwners
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Vacant property in central Dublin
Sir, – What is it about the Irish tax code (or the broader set of incentives faced by property owners in Ireland, Dublin especially) that makes it more lucrative to leave properties derelict, often for many years, rather than develop them for retail or, better yet, housing? On a recent visit to Dublin, I was struck by the number of derelict buildings on almost every street in the city centre. On the same trip I visited Madrid, and in an evening ramble around central Madrid I failed to see a single derelict site. Is there not some low hanging fruit here that could be picked to quickly address the housing problem in Dublin? – Yours, etc. READ MORE MARK A WYNNE, Dallas, Texas.
Arabian Business
29-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai suspends 2 engineering firms, announces major upgrade to contractor evaluation system
Dubai Municipality has suspended two engineering consultancy offices from licensing any new projects for six months, following violations of professional regulations, licensing terms, and ethical standards. The decision was made by the Committee of Registration and Licensing the Practice of Engineering Consultancy and Contracting and aims to protect the interests of property owners and developers across the emirate. The action is part of the municipality's broader regulatory role, which includes routine field inspections to ensure that engineering consultancies adhere to approved legal and professional standards. Dubai construction sector These inspections are conducted regularly to maintain quality, accountability, and safety in Dubai's booming construction sector. In parallel, Dubai Municipality has announced an ambitious plan to revamp the evaluation system used to assess contracting companies and engineering consultancy offices, with new criteria to take effect at the start of 2026. The updated framework will be built around a more holistic and performance-driven model, incorporating metrics such as: Financial solvency Emiratisation rates Social responsibility contributions Project delivery timelines Innovation in design and implementation Owner satisfaction based on detailed feedback The system will be implemented through the Build in Dubai (BID) platform, where stakeholders can also participate in performance surveys, increasing transparency and trust across the sector. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasised that the new system reflects the municipality's ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of construction work in Dubai. It also aims to foster a culture of professional excellence and advance the standards of this vital sector in line with international best practices. She said: 'The evaluation system for contractors and consultancy offices serves as a key driver for improving performance and quality. It also reflects our commitment at Dubai Municipality to providing property owners and developers with comprehensive data on consultants and contractors, helping them select the most suitable firms for their projects'. The municipality will collaborate with contracting firms and consultancy offices through engagement sessions to gather feedback before the new system is finalised.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Saint Andrews property owners speak out against wharf refurbishment plan
Some property owners in Saint Andrews are speaking out against a plan to refurbish the Market Wharf, although the design was chosen by the public in a community vote. The wharf, long overdue for repairs, is central to both tourism and industry in the area. Two years ago, the town voted on a design they felt would best reinforce the existing structure. But property owners near the wharf are fearful the chosen design may cause damage to their own properties and are awaiting the results of a study to assess the environmental impact of the project. Cindy Kohler lives just a few coastal properties away from the wharf and is concerned about erosion and sediment damage from the refurbishment. WATCH | 'There's pros and cons on both sides,' acting mayor says: "It's really frustrating," Kohler said. "They're just looking into the environmental study but it's very late in the game and it's something that should have been done in the beginning." Kohler is worried about the amount of infill for the wharf extensions, which will add a significant chunk of solid rock and steel on the existing mudflat. She said severe storms cause water levels to rise significantly on her property and thinks the infill would only worsen flooding in the future. "The former mayor said that we own waterfront property and we should be taking care of it in our own way, that erosion is going to happen regardless," said Kohler. "We do have a good seawall here and we have taken care of it." Kohler is not alone in her concerns. Matt Abbott, the Fundy Bay Keeper with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said the concerns are legitimate and bring a whole new set of challenges to this coastal community. "When we build hard infrastructure like infill for a wharf and we change where the energy from the tides are flowing, we can have an impact on that coast," said Abbott. The Conservation Council is concerned that not enough has been done to get an accurate prediction of the consequences of this chosen design. "Wharves are long lasting infrastructure, so you only get to make that design decision once," said Abbott. "I know they're in a tricky situation so I think it's wise to take some time." The design of the refurbishment was selected using a community voting process, but the final decision to go ahead with this project still lies with town council. The town recently hired an engineering firm to assess the concerns of property owners. "We hope that doing this mitigation and the Gemtec study we will know whether or not that will impact the people who have come forward," saysKate Akagi the acting mayor of Saint Andrews. "Right now, we don't know whether it will or it won't." Gemtec is a New Brunswick-founded multi-engineering firm that specializes in areas such as environmental engineering. "[The property owners] are allowed to voice their opinion and we're going to listen," Akagi said. "They just need to know that holding it back, we are going to miss another tourist season which is not good for our community." The town received $5.4 million from the federal and provincial governments for the refurbishment. The town will cover the remainder of the estimated $7 million price tag. "We need to be doing the wharf, we hope, before 2026 or we lose our funding," Akagi said. "Not that we won't get it again but we will have to reapply, so it will be a long process once again."
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Thousands of B.C. reservations at risk due to short-term rental regulations: Airbnb
A sign indicating Airbnb rentals are not permitted is seen at the entrance to a condo tower, in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Short-term vacation rental platform Airbnb said Friday that 'thousands' of reservations in British Columbia are at risk of cancellation, accusing the province of rushing out regulations as it cracked down on the industry. Alex Howell, Airbnb's Canadian policy lead, said in an interview that the rules requiring short-term rental hosts to confirm their listings are legal under the changes have already led to some bookings being cancelled. The government has said platforms such as Airbnb can't post B.C. listings without confirming their registration with the province, but Howell said many hosts whose properties qualify can't register due to glitches and other problems with the new system. 'Typically, we would have worked with a government for six months to do live testing, to make sure that things are working the way they should,' Howell said. 'And unfortunately in this situation, B.C. really just rushed into launching the system that hadn't been fully tested, and that's what's brought us to this situation.' She said that property owners have reported that typos and formatting errors have prevented them from registering with the province, despite meeting all the legal criteria for hosting short-term rentals. The province had said that short-term rentals are being restricted to principal residences, a secondary suite or a structure such as a laneway house on the property, and the policy is meant to open up more units in B.C.'s rental housing market. Howell said the timing of B.C.'s latest rules on short-term rentals is especially impactful, just ahead of the busy summer tourist season. 'Thousands of reservations across the province are now at risk,' she said. 'These are registered, compliant hosts that are failing validation protocols through no fault of their own. 'And this impacts … thousands of reservations across the province, at least 50 per cent of which are domestic travellers who are following their own government's advice to support local and travel within Canada this year.' Howell said instead of waiting until the June 23 deadline — when bookings on unregistered B.C. properties would be cancelled — Airbnb is proactively contacting affected hosts and guests to offer penalty-free cancellations. 'We think it's irresponsible to wait until the 23rd to alert travellers that there might be an issue,' she said. 'We're trying to get them that information ahead of time so that they can make some informed decisions.' In a statement, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said the province is confident that 'Airbnb will find solutions to their challenges with getting listings verified ahead of the June 23 deadline.' 'We hope that Airbnb will choose to support their hosts in verifying their listings, instead of cancelling their bookings,' Kahlon said. 'This is new ground for B.C., and we are working through ServiceBC, our short-term rental branch, and the platforms themselves to help hosts comply with the requirements.' The ministry also noted that there are 65 short-term rental platforms operating in B.C., and other platforms have been successful in supporting their hosts to get registered. In a separate statement, the Opposition B.C. Conservatives criticized the short-term rental policies of the New Democrat government, with Prince George-Valemount legislator Rosalyn Bird saying the regulations running counter to the province's efforts to promote local travel. 'How do you promote staycations while sabotaging the short-term rental market that makes them possible in small towns?' Bird said in the statement. 'The Premier (David Eby) says 'travel within B.C.', and then his government kneecaps our ability to welcome those travellers.' This report by Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press, was first published June 13, 2025.
The Guardian
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Luxury Airbnbs: tell us what got you into running one, or booking a stay at one
High-quality finishes, amenities such as pools, saunas, snooker tables and firepits, or a prime location: luxury Airbnb-style rentals are on the rise, amid a skyrocketing demand for holiday stays at exclusive and often very large properties that can cost thousands per night. We're interested to hear from both owners of luxury short-term rentals and from guests who have booked stays at them. If you own a luxury Airbnb or similar type of holiday let, tell us what made you enter this market, and how business has been. If you've stayed at such a property, share what your experience was like, and what drew you to booking it. Tell us what got you into running a luxury Airbnb-style rental, and what business has been like, or what got you into booking a stay at such a property. Please include as much detail as possible Please include as much detail as possible Please include as much detail as possible Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. Contact us on WhatsApp at +447766780300. For more information, please see our guidance on contacting us via WhatsApp. For true anonymity please use our SecureDrop service instead. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
