The Influence of Rent Regulation on Institutional Real Estate Investors. A Panel Data Analysis of Returns and Investment Behavior on a Cantonal Level in Switzerland

This study examines the impact of rent regulation on institutional real estate investors in Switzerland, focusing on how these regulations influence returns and investment behavior across cantons, providing critical insights into market dynamics.

David Dauwalder & Fabio Mezzasalma, 2024

Art der Arbeit Bachelor Thesis
Auftraggebende FHNW Hochschule für Wirtschaft
Betreuende Dozierende Ters, Kristyna, Caroni, Anna
Keywords Rent Regulation, Institutional Real Estate Investors, Panel Data Analysis, Investment Behavior, Cantonal Level, Switzerland Real Estate Market,Housing Market, Economic Impact, Urbanization, Rent Control, Real Estate Prices, Construction Activity,
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Switzerland's real estate market faces challenges due to rising demand, shrinking supply, and increasing rents. In response, cantons like Basel-Stadt and Geneva have implemented strict rent regulations. Institutional investors are increasingly confronted by these regulations and in the center of heated debates. This study analyzes the impact of these policies on investors' returns and investment decisions, exploring how they influence their behavior and financial performance.
The study conducted a fixed panel data analysis across all 26 Swiss cantons, coupled with a detailed descriptive analysis of the Swiss real estate market and an extensive literature review. The research aimed to quantify the impact of rent regulation on institutional investors' returns and investment behaviors, providing a comprehensive overview of regulatory effects on the market.
The research found that rent regulations, such as those in Geneva and Basel-Stadt, significantly reduce investments in renovations and new construction. However, these regulations do not appear to negatively impact the overall returns for institutional investors. For example, Geneva, despite its stringent rent controls, recorded some of the highest returns in Switzerland, demonstrating that investors can effectively adapt to a regulated environment. The study also highlights the "lock-in" effect, where long-term tenants benefit from lower rents, while new tenants face higher costs, worsening housing shortages. These findings suggest that while current regulations protect existing tenants from the disruptions of renovations, they may inadvertently reduce market efficiency and contribute to increased housing scarcity. The study recommends reevaluating rent regulations to mitigate these unintended consequences. Future research should focus on further exploring these dynamics as more data becomes available from recently regulated cantons like Basel-Stadt.
Studiengang: Business Administration International Management (Bachelor)
Vertraulichkeit: vertraulich
Art der Arbeit
Bachelor Thesis
Auftraggebende
FHNW Hochschule für Wirtschaft, Olten
Autorinnen und Autoren
David Dauwalder & Fabio Mezzasalma
Betreuende Dozierende
Ters, Kristyna, Caroni, Anna
Publikationsjahr
2024
Sprache der Arbeit
Englisch
Vertraulichkeit
vertraulich
Studiengang
Business Administration International Management (Bachelor)
Standort Studiengang
Olten
Keywords
Rent Regulation, Institutional Real Estate Investors, Panel Data Analysis, Investment Behavior, Cantonal Level, Switzerland Real Estate Market,Housing Market, Economic Impact, Urbanization, Rent Control, Real Estate Prices, Construction Activity,