The European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) has welcomed the revised position adopted by Germany’s BaFin financial regulator on the status of German REITs.
The European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) has welcomed the revised position adopted by Germany’s BaFin financial regulator on the status of German REITs.
BaFin's revised stance reflects the recent guidance provided by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and supports EPRA's view that G-REITs should be assessed against the criteria for identifying funds in the same way as any other real estate company.
Earlier this year, BaFin received over 300 submissions from EPRA and the German property association ZIA, as well as major listed real estate investors, expressing concern about its original position that German REITs automatically fell within the scope of the EU’s Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD).
Philip Charls, EPRA’s chief executive, said: 'It is a credit to the consultation process that BaFin’s approach has evolved. The position that it has adopted on REITs reflects the updated ESMA guidance and aligns Germany closely with France and the UK by adopting a ‘case-by-case’ approach on whether REITs or property companies fall under AIFMD. Other EU countries will take note as they examine their own implementation of the directive.'
However, EPRA said it remained concerned about BaFin’s view that developing property for sale is an ‘operational’ business (outside the scope of the AIFMD), whereas the business of managing property for long-term leasing activity is not.
Olivier Elamine, CEO of Alstria Office and an EPRA board member, said: 'Putting aside the huge contribution that listed property companies make to the real economy through their development and refurbishment programmes, the business of managing and leasing property for the long-term is an intensive operational business.
'The ongoing management of increasingly shorter and more flexible leases and active engagement with occupiers to reduce the operational energy use of buildings during the property lifecycle are just two examples of the important role that property companies perform in servicing the accommodation needs of Europe’s business and citizens. We struggle to understand why this business would not be recognised as an ‘operational’ business.'
