Latest news with #Savills
Al Etihad
21 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi named world's most tax-friendly city as UAE gains favour with the wealthy
25 July 2025 00:53 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi has been ranked the most tax-friendly city in the world in a new report by Multipolitan, with Dubai following close behind in second place. The UAE's twin financial centres outperformed traditional financial hubs like Singapore due to their low effective tax exposure, treaty coverage and strong governance frameworks, strengthening the country's status as a preferred destination for cross-border index, published in Multipolitan's 'Wealth Report 2025 – The Taxed Generation', ranks cities located within the world's 20 most tax-efficient countries. It combines three weighted metrics — tax rates across five key categories, double taxation treaty coverage, and regulatory quality based on World Bank were included only if they met thresholds for macroeconomic and political stability, narrowing the original pool of 164 Dhabi led with a score of 637.1, just ahead of Dubai's 635.1. While both benefit from the UAE's zero personal income tax regime, the capital edged out its neighbour due to slightly lower property-related fees — transfer and municipality charges that are often seen as proxy taxes in jurisdictions without formal report's authors said their approach focused on 'real-world outcomes' rather than political rhetoric, measuring where wealth 'faces the fewest frictions'. In practice, that meant evaluating five tax categories (personal, corporate, inheritance, wealth, and capital gains), before layering in treaty networks and regulatory stability. The UAE's broad Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty network helped lift both cities on the index's second metric, while high scores on the World Bank's Regulatory Quality indicator added an extra boost to their leadership.'Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi perform strongly across all three metrics, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai retaining the top position when combining tax environment an governance considerations,' the report said. 'When factoring in double taxation avoidance as an indicator of tax system accessibility, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Kuwait City emerge as top performers.'While the UAE's tax regime has evolved in recent years — introducing a federal corporate tax in 2023 and a 15% minimum tax for large multinationals beginning in 2025 — it has maintained a favourable overall environment for individuals. Qualifying Free Zone entities can still access 0% corporate tax rates, and reforms around audit standards, beneficial ownership disclosures, and FATCA/CRS compliance have been designed to bring the system closer to international norms without alienating mobile Multipolitan rankings are the latest in a string of research highlighting the UAE's draw for high-net-worth individuals. In April, Savills ranked Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the top two cities worldwide for wealthy individuals to live and work, citing lifestyle, governance, climate, and safety alongside tax factors. The report found that more than 6,700 ultra-wealthy individuals relocated to the UAE last year, many from higher-tax jurisdictions like the UK, where marginal rates can reach 45%.Then in June, the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report projected the UAE would attract 9,800 new millionaires in 2025 — more than any other country. The value of capital associated with these moves is estimated at $63 billion, with the UAE recording a 98% growth in its millionaire population over the past report also looked at longer-term trends through two other metrics — the Wealth Preservation Cities Index 2015-2025 and the Smart & Sustainable Cities Index — with both UAE cities making the top the Wealth Preservation Cities Index, Abu Dhabi ranked 22nd and Dubai 24th on this list, marking the only Gulf entries in a group otherwise dominated by Western cities. The methodology here focused on inflation, currency stability, earnings, asset growth, and governance, before evaluating urban hubs on indicators such as property values and quality of Smart & Sustainable Cities Index, meanwhile, ranked Abu Dhabi in 23rd and Dubai close behind at 25th. The index examines long-term potential for preserving wealth through digital readiness, climate resilience, and political stability. The report places the UAE's performance within a broader trend of the Gulf region's coordinated drive to attract mobile capital. Seven cities from the region landed in the global top 20, including Manama (4th), Doha (5th), Kuwait City (8th), Riyadh (12th) and Muscat (17th).
Times
a day ago
- Business
- Times
Should you help your children to buy a home?
Homeownership is a distant dream for many, despite efforts by the Treasury and regulators to loosen lending rules. The Bank of Mum and Dad now helps more than 50 per cent of first-time buyers on to the property ladder, according to the estate agency Savills. But is this a necessary act of generosity or is it helping to fuel the housing crisis? We hear both sides of the argument. The Bank of Mum and Dad is not a benevolent institution. It is an inequality engine. Helping your kids to get on the property ladder may feel like good parenting, but it fuels a system that rewards birthright over merit and privilege over effort. And this is not just about fair play — although that matters. It is about distortion. Housing should be about what you earn, not who you are born to, and yet we're hurtling towards a feudal set-up where access to shelter hinges on parental wealth. In 2023 more than half of first-time buyers had financial help from family — so much for social mobility. • Read more money advice and tips on investing from our experts Meanwhile, the parents are often the ones doing the sacrificing. Draining pensions, dipping into savings, compromising their retirement or their future care needs to prop up a politically induced broken housing system. Others face tricky family politics. What if one child gets help and another doesn't? Suddenly the family WhatsApp group turns into a minefield. And don't forget the long-term cost, because if that gifted deposit pushes mum or dad below the threshold for local authority-funded care, the state picks up the tab. So we all end up paying for this bad idea. It also warps the market. When we inflate demand from cash-boosted buyers, prices are kept high and the truly independent are shut out. It's no coincidence that areas with the most intergenerational support are often the least affordable — and the most resistant to change. Many of those lobbying against new homes do so under the guise of 'heritage' or 'environmental protection'. All the while ignoring the paradox: if you really want to help your children, stop blocking homes for them to live in. This is the real betrayal of Britain's working class. We have normalised parental bailouts instead of fixing the system. Homeownership should be a reward for work and not a birthright. Parental gifts may be well intentioned. But they entrench inequality, destabilise retirement and price out millions. Let's call it what it is: a personal favour that perpetuates a national failure. • Rachel Reeves is right, but she is walking a tightrope — with our money Helping your children get on the property ladder is a deeply personal decision — but if you're in a position to offer support, I'd argue it is a good idea. Intergenerational fairness is one of the strongest reasons why helping your child buy a home is the right thing to do. Many parents benefited from a housing market that has since become vastly less accessible. In the 1980s the average age of a first-time buyer was about 27. Today it's closer to 34 — and that's often with help. Property prices have risen much faster than wages, making it almost impossible for many twentysomethings to buy without a financial leg-up. If you plan to pass on wealth to the next generation, why not do it when it could make the biggest difference? An inheritance often arrives when adult children are already financially stable or even nearing retirement themselves. But helping them in their earlier years will allow them to stop wasting money on rent and start investing in a secure, long-term home. A study by the HomeOwners Alliance found that 54 per cent of homeowners with adult children had either already helped them buy a home or expected to in the future. Among homeowners whose children do not yet own property, 59 per cent worried about their chances of ever buying a home. But help doesn't have to mean writing a big cheque. There are several ways in which parents can support their children without handing over large sums. You might consider acting as a guarantor on a mortgage or getting a joint mortgage with your child. There are also distinct financial advantages to the so-called Bank of Mum and Dad. A gift used for a house deposit is inheritance tax-free, provided you live for seven years after giving it. This can also reduce the size of your estate and potentially lower inheritance tax on other assets. Helping with a deposit means your child may qualify for better mortgage rates, so that they have lower monthly repayments. A larger deposit can also help them to buy a better home — whether that means a larger space or a more suitable location — and reduce the need (and cost) of them moving again soon. Of course, this all depends on your own financial situation. And one final piece of advice: be fair. Helping one child and not others can lead to family tensions. If you're lending, be clear and be consistent.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hotel investment activity increases across UK regions
The UK hotel investment market experienced notable growth in the first half of 2025, with single-asset transactions reaching £1.35 billion, marking an 8.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This performance also surpassed the 10-year average for H1 transactions, which stands at £1.33 billion. Savills attributes this uptick to a shift in investor focus towards individual hotel assets, reflecting increased confidence in the sector. Edinburgh's w hotel sale leads notable transactions Among the significant deals, Nuveen Real Estate's sale of the W Hotel in Edinburgh to Schroders Capital for over £100 million stands out. This transaction is reported as the largest single-asset hotel deal ever recorded in the Edinburgh market. Additionally, the sale of the Ruby Stella Hotel by RE Capital to LaSalle Investment Management for £48 million further demonstrates the availability of core capital in the market. Regional markets show increased investor interest Regional markets have also demonstrated strong performance. The South West recorded £147 million in hotel transactions during the first half of 2025, a 95% increase compared to the full year of 2024. Similarly, the West Midlands saw £153 million in transactions, up 60% over the same period, highlighting a renewed interest in hotel investment outside of London and the South East. Outlook for the second half of 2025 Looking ahead, Savills projects a robust second half for the UK hotel investment market. With over £6 billion in known live opportunities, including both single assets and larger portfolios, the market is poised to exceed the 10-year annual average of £4.85 billion if these assets transact this year. This optimistic outlook is supported by a strong pipeline of assets and a growing investor appetite for hotel investments across the UK. Overall, the UK hotel investment market in 2025 is characterised by increased activity in single-asset transactions and a broader interest in regional markets, positioning the sector for a strong performance in the latter half of the year. "Hotel investment activity increases across UK regions" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Savills: Riyadh Office Market holds firm as rents and occupier demand continue to rise
Riyadh's office market continued to perform strongly in Q2 2025, underpinned by a stable economic outlook, high business confidence, and growing interest from international occupiers, according to the latest research from Savills. The Kingdom's economy is forecast to expand by 3.5% in 2025, driven by a 4.9% rise in the non-oil sector, a clear indicator of the ongoing success of Saudi Arabia's diversification agenda. Business sentiment remained upbeat, with the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) climbing to 57.2 in June, its highest reading since May 2011, signalling strong private sector activity and employment growth. Foreign direct investment also continued on an upward trajectory, reaching SAR 22.2 billion in Q1 2025, up from SAR 15.5 billion during the same period last year. Within the office market, Grade A occupancy stood firm at 98%, reflecting sustained tenant demand amidst a limited supply pipeline. Average rents rose slightly by 0.75% on a quarterly basis but recorded a 10% increase year-on-year. Zone C, home to emerging hubs such as Riyadh Front. Digital City, and Laysen Valley, led annual rental growth at 15%, while Zone A, which includes prime locations such as Olaya, KAFD, and Kingdom Centre, followed closely with nearly 11%. This highlights the continued appeal for both well-established commercial districts and newer, strategically located developments. Chris Chambers, Head of Transactional Services in KSA, commented: 'We're seeing strong expansion-driven activity across sectors, particularly within banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) accounting for 50% of transactions this quarter. Legal and pharmaceutical firms each contributed a further 25% underscoring the depth and diversity of demand. Notably, leasing interest is increasingly shifting towards larger spaces, with half of all enquiries targeting units above 1,000 sq m.' Multinational interest in Riyadh remains high. By mid-2025, over 660 global companies had been licensed to establish regional headquarters in the city, already surpassing the Vision 2030 target of 500. Notable new entrants in Q2 include BNY Mellon, ASPEN, Globant, and London Business School. Enquiry data from Savills shows that 46% of leasing interest this quarter originated from the US and UK, reflecting strong global confidence in the Saudi capital. Sector-wise, the highest levels of leasing enquiries came from banking and financial services, technology, media and telecoms (TMT), and engineering and manufacturing, highlighting Riyadh's broadening commercial base and appeal to knowledge-driven industries. The capital's infrastructure push also continues to support its commercial growth. The Riyadh Metro saw over 25 million passengers in Q1 2025, and the addition of new stations is expected to further enhance accessibility to key areas such as the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and Olaya. Looking ahead, while rental growth is likely to remain firm in the near term due to ongoing demand and limited supply, the pressure is expected to ease slightly towards the end of 2026, with more than 900,000 sq m of new Grade A stock scheduled to be delivered through major developments such as Diriyah Gate and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk). For further insights and detailed analysis, download the full Riyadh Office Market in Minutes Q2 2025 report from here. About Savills Middle East: Savills plc is a global real estate services provider listed on the London Stock Exchange. With a presence in the Middle East for over 40 years, Savills offers an extensive range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Expertise includes property management, residential and commercial agency services, property and business assets valuation, and investment and development advisory. Originally founded in the UK in 1855, Savills has an international network of over 700 offices and associates employing over 40,000 people across the Americas, UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Why the average UK house price forecast has dropped
Property firm Savills has significantly reduced its forecast for average house price growth in Britain for the current year to just 1.0 per cent, down from an earlier 4.0 per cent. Conversely, Savills has upgraded its five-year house price projection, now expecting a 24.5 per cent increase by 2029, up from 23.4 per cent. The revised short-term outlook is attributed to recent economic and geopolitical instability, alongside buyer behaviour influenced by stamp duty changes. The more optimistic long-term forecast is largely due to a more relaxed approach by mortgage lenders to affordability tests, which should support prices and sales. Savills anticipates the average house price to reach £448,600 by the end of 2029, an increase of £86,300 from mid-2025 levels, with buyer demand expected to rise by early autumn.
