Over the last few years the cost of office rent in Beijing has rocketed at a rate faster than virtually any other city on earth. Prime office rents rose by an astounding 75 per cent in 2011, the fastest increase of any city, in addition to the 48 per cent increase of 2010. This runaway inflation of rental prices has quickly made Beijing the fifth most expensive city on the planet for office rental, behind Hong Kong, London, Tokyo and Moscow. Space in the city center is at a premium as there is simply no more room to build. The traditional hutongs of the center are all but gone, the single-floor traditional houses replaced with towering skyscrapers and the narrow, bicycle-strewn alleys replaced with bustling expressways.

If you’re a landlord, you have certain responsibilities – but the most important one for you is ensuring that you’re expensive asset is being looked after. In the winter, houses are more vulnerable to the elements and problems associated with cold, damp weather, so you need to keep a closer eye on your investment. Here are some great tips for landlords to help them keep the winter blues at bay!

Melbourne is a city that is rich in cultural heritage and it is Victoria’s capital. The city boasts the leading volume of sea traffic and the biggest seaport in Australia, stimulated by a number of manufacturing plants. International freight is among the main economic drivers of this city, as well as superannuation and financial services and its standing as a center for the Information and Communications Technology Industry of Australia. Several main corporations have national branches or headquarters in Melbourne. As a city with respected economic prominence, it has is a host to a main influx of international and domestic tourism each year and has one of the most active airports in Australia.

During Parliament last month, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan addressed several issues related to HDB’s (Housing Development Board) Public Rental Scheme, or PRS. This includes the ethnic quotas and waiting time for public rental flats. Mr Khaw reveals that HDB is reviewing its ethnic quotas for these flats.

Rentals can be a great investment for the right landlord. These properties can provide income and free lodging for an owner.