Property rents are soaring across the US and have reached record highs in New York — the priciest city in the country.
The median one-bedroom rent throughout the city is up 39.9 per cent on the year, according to the Zumper National Rent Report, while the two-bedroom median is up 46.7 per cent.
The US has seen inflation reach a 40-year high this summer, although it has started to cool, with the consumer price index up 8.5 per cent year on year in July, down from a 9.1 per cent rise in June, the US Labour Department reported.
“Much of the national conversation about inflation has focused on groceries and gas — everyday purchases impacting nearly every American,” the Zumper report said.
“But people looking for a new home are suffering from the biggest sticker shock.”
Zumper’s data shows double-digit year annual increases in more than half of US cities, with several cities posting a rise of 30 per cent or more.
Only two cities registered a yearly decline in one-bedroom rent — Des Moines and Cleveland.
“Current asking rents are simply out of reach for many Americans, especially young people,” said Zumper chief executive Anthemos Georgiades.
Many renters are turning to short-term rentals to fill a temporary gap in housing, especially if they can't afford deposits and move-in fees, he said.
Within New York, there is no peak in sight as people relocate to the city in greater numbers than in pre-pandemic times, according to Zumper.
It said New York's median one-bedroom monthly rent of $3,930 is a record high for any city in the US and represents a 4 per cent monthly increase.
“Renters looking for a new home are experiencing the most competitive market in modern history, with bidding wars and sight-unseen lease signings becoming the norm,” the report said.
The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom property in the Brooklyn area has jumped 45 per cent annually to $3,927, while Manhattan recorded a 27 per cent year-on-year rise in median rent for a one-bedroom property.
US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell last week warned that the US economy would need tight monetary policy “for some time” to beat record-high inflation, and that American households and businesses will feel “some pain”.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer