Latest news with #LAU
Local Spain
4 days ago
- 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.
Zawya
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
LAU celebrates the inauguration of its tenth president
The Lebanese American University (LAU) celebrated the inauguration of its tenth president, Dr. Chaouki Tanios Abdallah, in a long-standing tradition as it enters its second century having graduated more than 54,000 students over the decades. The new president, who hails from the town of Rachana in Batroun, returned to Lebanon from the United States where he had held several high-ranking positions in education and research. He emphasized the importance of universities leading the Lebanese nation towards a better tomorrow and overcoming challenges to ensure a more secure, healthy, and prosperous future. The ceremony was attended by the representative of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Minister of the Displaced and State Minister for Technology Affairs Kamal Shehadeh, the representative of the Speaker of Parliament, MP Ashraf Beydoun, the representative of the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Adnan El-Amine; the representative of the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Joseph Helou, and current and former deputies. The foreign delegation included the Ambassador of the United States of America Lisa Johnson, the Turkish Ambassador Murat Lutem, the Swiss Ambassador Marion Weichelt, the Australian Ambassador Andrew Barnes; and a representative of the Embassy of Cyprus Andreas Georgiadis. Also present were representatives of the leaders of the army and security services, university presidents, Dr. Abdallah's family, the current and former chairman and members of the Board of Trustees (LAU), vice presidents and their assistants, faculty, alumni, staff, students, friends of the university and guests. The ceremony began with the invocation, led by Secretary General of the National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon Rev. Joseph Kassab, followed by a welcoming note from alumni representative and emcee Nermine Mufti Hage. Chairman of the LAU Board of Trustees, Mr. Philip Stoltzfus, explained that 'Dr. Abdallah's appointment came in the wake of a meticulous international search undertaken by the Board of Trustees, a rigorous, inclusive and transparent process that I believe set a gold standard for recruitment in higher education.' In Dr. Abdallah, he said, 'we have a consummate researcher, a world-class academic administrator, someone who brings to LAU and to Lebanon a rich network of universities, research institutes, businesses, and governments, an engineer, a problem solver, a plain dealer, a collaborator, a natural leader.' He added: 'Dr. Abdallah arrives at a time of tremendous change in Lebanon itself, a time of reconstruction, a time of national renewal.' Speeches were delivered by the Chair of the LAU Faculty Senate, Dr. Abdul-Nasser Kassar, the Chair of the Staff Advisory Council, Mayssam Ezzeddine, and the students' representative, Rita Nassif. A musical interlude was performed by soprano Dr. Reem Deeb, a lecturer at the university, accompanied on the piano by Dr. Michele Chemaly. President Emeritus and Regents Professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Dr. George Paul Peterson, congratulated Dr. Abdallah, who had served as Executive Vice President for Research at Georgia Tech. Given his experience, passion for education and deep commitment to creativity and innovation, he said, Dr. Abdallah will lead LAU into a new phase of academic excellence, creativity and global impact, Dr. Peterson described Dr. Abdallah's leadership in academia as 'nothing short of transformative.' His experience and oversight of major research initiatives 'has given him a strategic vision for how higher education institutions can not only adapt to the challenges of the 21st century but thrive in an increasingly competitive and interconnected world,' he said. He added: 'His global perspective positions him perfectly to help LAU expand its influence beyond Lebanon and the Middle East. His ability to forge international partnerships and engage with the global academic community will elevate the university's reputation and open new doors for collaboration and research opportunities.' After Mr. Stoltzfus bestowed the university's medallion and seal on the new president, Dr. Abdallah took to the podium to deliver his speech. The New President In an emotional speech, Dr. Abdallah, recalled his parents' devotion and determination to provide their children with the education they did not have. "Neither of our parents was educated beyond the first grade. But admirably, they ensured that all their sons and their daughters earned college and advanced degrees. In doing so, they not only changed their children's lives but also the lives of many who encounter the children of Tanios and Milani,' he said. Dr. Abdallah described universities as lighthouses that guide nations to a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future. He said: 'From Byblos, the birthplace of the alphabet, to Beirut, the mother of laws; from the first school in Ain Warqa to Université Saint Joseph, to AUB, LAU, NDU, Balamand, Lebanese University, and to all other Lebanese universities—this ancient land and its people have kept the light on for humanity in the darkest moments of history, and today, we're called upon to again lead our own nation towards a better tomorrow." Speaking about LAU, he added: 'Those values, etched in our institutional history and lived by those who came before us, are being reaffirmed today and we embody them by creating entrepreneurship opportunities for our graduates—so they don't have to leave their families and their country to realize their potential. We live them together as we renew our pledge to serve humanity, and through our graduates—who research, heal, design, build, lead, write, paint, create, and sculpt—and keep the light shining from this university on the hill…And we model them by creating a global university that educates not only students in Lebanon, but those in New York and other global cities.' The new president saluted the Lebanese mothers and fathers who, for decades, have nurtured global citizens and made Lebanon a factory of minds and talents. "Today, as I am invested as the tenth president of LAU, I also take this moment to honor the sacrifices and quiet heroism of Lebanese mothers and fathers—who, for generations, have raised global citizens and made Lebanon the world's brain and talent factory.' The ceremony concluded with a performance by LAU students choreographed by LAU Professor Volodymyr Panzhev.
National News
04-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
LAU celebrates the inauguration of its tenth President Chaouki Tanios Abdallah: Universities must lead the nation towards a better tomorrow
NNA - The Lebanese American University (LAU) celebrated the inauguration of its tenth president, Dr. Chaouki Tanios Abdallah, in a long-standing tradition as it enters its second century having graduated more than 54,000 students over the decades. The new president, who hails from the town of Rachana in Batroun, returned to Lebanon from the United States where he had held several high-ranking positions in education and research. He emphasized the importance of universities leading the Lebanese nation towards a better tomorrow and overcoming challenges to ensure a more secure, healthy, and prosperous future. The ceremony was attended by the representative of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Minister of the Displaced and State Minister for Technology Affairs Kamal Shehadeh, the representative of the Speaker of Parliament, MP Ashraf Beydoun, the representative of the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Adnan El-Amine; the representative of the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Joseph Helou, and current and former deputies. The foreign delegation included the Ambassador of the United States of America Lisa Johnson, the Turkish Ambassador Murat Lutem, the Swiss Ambassador Marion Weichelt, the Australian Ambassador Andrew Barnes; and a representative of the Embassy of Cyprus Andreas Georgiadis. Also present were representatives of the leaders of the army and security services, university presidents, Dr. Abdallah's family, the current and former chairman and members of the Board of Trustees (LAU), vice presidents and their assistants, faculty, alumni, staff, students, friends of the university and guests. The ceremony began with the invocation, led by Secretary General of the National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon Rev. Joseph Kassab, followed by a welcoming note from alumni representative and emcee Nermine Mufti Hage. Chairman of the LAU Board of Trustees, Mr. Philip Stoltzfus, explained that 'Dr. Abdallah's appointment came in the wake of a meticulous international search undertaken by the Board of Trustees, a rigorous, inclusive and transparent process that I believe set a gold standard for recruitment in higher education.' In Dr. Abdallah, he said, 'we have a consummate researcher, a world-class academic administrator, someone who brings to LAU and to Lebanon a rich network of universities, research institutes, businesses, and governments, an engineer, a problem solver, a plain dealer, a collaborator, a natural leader.' He added: 'Dr. Abdallah arrives at a time of tremendous change in Lebanon itself, a time of reconstruction, a time of national renewal.' Speeches were delivered by the Chair of the LAU Faculty Senate, Dr. Abdul-Nasser Kassar, the Chair of the Staff Advisory Council, Mayssam Ezzeddine, and the students' representative, Rita Nassif. A musical interlude was performed by soprano Dr. Reem Deeb, a lecturer at the university, accompanied on the piano by Dr. Michele Chemaly. President Emeritus and Regents Professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Dr. George Paul Peterson, congratulated Dr. Abdallah, who had served as Executive Vice President for Research at Georgia Tech. Given his experience, passion for education and deep commitment to creativity and innovation, he said, Dr. Abdallah will lead LAU into a new phase of academic excellence, creativity and global impact, Dr. Peterson described Dr. Abdallah's leadership in academia as 'nothing short of transformative.' His experience and oversight of major research initiatives 'has given him a strategic vision for how higher education institutions can not only adapt to the challenges of the 21st century but thrive in an increasingly competitive and interconnected world,' he said. He added: 'His global perspective positions him perfectly to help LAU expand its influence beyond Lebanon and the Middle East. His ability to forge international partnerships and engage with the global academic community will elevate the university's reputation and open new doors for collaboration and research opportunities.' After Mr. Stoltzfus bestowed the university's medallion and seal on the new president, Dr. Abdallah took to the podium to deliver his speech. The New President In an emotional speech, Dr. Abdallah, recalled his parents' devotion and determination to provide their children with the education they did not have. "Neither of our parents was educated beyond the first grade. But admirably, they ensured that all their sons and their daughters earned college and advanced degrees. In doing so, they not only changed their children's lives but also the lives of many who encounter the children of Tanios and Milani,' he said. Dr. Abdallah described universities as lighthouses that guide nations to a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future. He said: 'From Byblos, the birthplace of the alphabet, to Beirut, the mother of laws; from the first school in Ain Warqa to Université Saint Joseph, to AUB, LAU, NDU, Balamand, Lebanese University, and to all other Lebanese universities—this ancient land and its people have kept the light on for humanity in the darkest moments of history, and today, we're called upon to again lead our own nation towards a better tomorrow." Speaking about LAU, he added: 'Those values, etched in our institutional history and lived by those who came before us, are being reaffirmed today and we embody them by creating entrepreneurship opportunities for our graduates—so they don't have to leave their families and their country to realize their potential. We live them together as we renew our pledge to serve humanity, and through our graduates—who research, heal, design, build, lead, write, paint, create, and sculpt—and keep the light shining from this university on the hill…And we model them by creating a global university that educates not only students in Lebanon, but those in New York and other global cities.' The new president saluted the Lebanese mothers and fathers who, for decades, have nurtured global citizens and made Lebanon a factory of minds and talents. "Today, as I am invested as the tenth president of LAU, I also take this moment to honor the sacrifices and quiet heroism of Lebanese mothers and fathers—who, for generations, have raised global citizens and made Lebanon the world's brain and talent factory.' The ceremony concluded with a performance by LAU students choreographed by LAU Professor Volodymyr Panzhev. -- LAU
