POLICY Highlights from the European Parliament’s HOUS Committee In June, the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS) advanced key policy discussions through significant events. Public Hearing on Sustainable Housing and the Energy Transition: On the 2nd of June HOUS hosted a hearing focused on balancing energy efficiency with housing affordability. Experts and stakeholders debated innovative planning, climate-resilient construction, and the urgent need for inclusive renovation strategies to address energy poverty, aiming to ensure that sustainability measures support rather than burden residents. Exchange of Views with Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice-President of the EIB: On the 16th of June, Committee members engaged with Ioannis Tsakiris to discuss the European Investment Bank’s action plan for affordable and sustainable housing. The session provided insights into the EIB's financing mechanisms and public-private collaborations aimed at scaling up investment in energy-efficient and socially inclusive residential projects. Public Hearing on Housing Rights, Property Rights and Tenant Protections: In collaboration with EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs Comittee), the hearing on the 25th of June examined the legal framework for tenants, eviction policies, and homelessness interventions. Presenters included housing rights advocates and property owners, laying the groundwork for EU policy recommendations to strengthen tenant protections and ensure housing as a fundamental right. These June hearings underscore the HOUS’ Committee comprehensive approach: addressing energy transition, financing models, and social rights - all contributing to a robust EU housing policy agenda. CEPI remains engaged and ready to support policies that promote sustainable and accessible housing across Europe. Event Review: Harmonising EU AML Framework – June 25, 2025 On the 25th of June, a key event took place at the European Parliament, titled “Towards a Harmonised Anti‑Money Laundering Framework in the EU to Strengthen the Prevention of Financial Crime.” Organised by the Federation of Business, this session addressed the final stages of aligning the EU’s AML system through the establishment of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and the implementation of new AML/CFT legislation. Main Focus Areas: ●      Harmonised supervision: The event highlighted the importance of coordinating among regulators, EU institutions, national supervisors, and Financial Intelligence Units to reduce fragmentation and close loopholes. ●      AMLA’s role: AMLA’s upcoming direct supervision of high-risk entities and its function as a data hub for beneficial ownership was discussed as central to creating a unified preventive framework. ●      Data consistency: Participants called for improved access to high-quality, interoperable beneficial ownership data to enhance transparency and facilitate law enforcement. With AMLA set to become operational mid-2025, discussions at this event provided information on how the EU enforces its anti-money laundering rules and aims to strengthen cross-border compliance. CEPI will stay engaged as these frameworks develop constantly. SECRETARIAT ACTIVITES Report on CEPI's General Meeting in Amsterdam & AML Tool Presentation CEPI's General Meeting took place on the 12th and 13th of June 2025 in Amsterdam, bringing together members for two days of productive discussions and networking. The first day featured a visit to Funda, a scenic tour of Amsterdam’s canals and the gala dinner. On Friday, the programme continued at the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station with an insightful presentation on the Dutch real estate market, meetings of the CERA & CEAB Professional Divissions, interactive workshops, and the Board of Directors and General Meeting sessions. A highlight of the Workshop was the presentation of the CEPI AML (Anti-Money Laundering) tool developed by OptimaSys. Geert Rillaerts showcased the tool’s main features and discussed the expected costs for both CEPI members and non-members. This innovative solution aims to support real estate professionals in meeting their AML obligations more efficiently. A pilot test involving a select group of associations is scheduled for early september, with the final version planned for release in January 2026. We would like to warmly thank our Dutch member associations, NVM and  VastgoedNederland, for their outstanding hospitality and excellent organisation. We also extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their active engagement . Their presence and contributions made this General Meeting a real success. Members are invited to the next CEPI General Meeting in Paris on the 5th of November 2025, kindly hosted by our French association SNPI. Housing Affordability Position Paper: Latest Update At CEPI's General Meeting in Amsterdam, we discussed the draft Position Paper on Housing Affordability. To ensure the paper truly represents the diverse perspectives of our members, the deadline for feedback and comments has been extended until the end of June. All further comments will be carefully considered by the PTC Policy Members. Our goal remains to finalise and deliver this important document to European policymakers and key housing stakeholders before the summer break. This Position Paper highlights the crucial role of real estate professionals and proposes clear policy recommendations to improve housing access, legal frameworks, and support for sustainable renovation. Stay tuned for the final release - together, we aim to make a positive impact on housing affordability across Europe! Meeting with the Finnish real estate agents association (KVKL) in Brussels       This month, we had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from the Finnish association of real estate agents, KVKL to our office in Brussels. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and explore possibilities for future collaboration, especially on shared priorities in the housing and urban development sectors. Our discussions focused on aligning efforts and strengthening partnerships between our organisations at both national and European levels. We look forward to the publication of their new strategy this autumn, which will serve as an important basis for deepening our cooperation. NEWS FROM MEMBERS Housing Report from NAEA Propertymark The 'Housing Insight Report – April 2025', published by Propertymark, reveals a significant slowdown in the UK property market, primarily attributed to the expiration of the temporary Stamp Duty thresholds. The number of completed sales is falling, while the average house price has risen to £271,000, with a particularly significant increase in Northern Ireland. In the rental sector, demand remains high, with an average of 93 applicants per agency. However, supply is also increasing, with 13.5 properties currently available. This improvement is helping to stabilise rents, which continue to rise at an annual rate of 7.4%, with no significant change since March. Payment arrears and vacancy periods have fallen slightly, indicating a healthier market. Additionally, property valuation activity has increased, with an average of 27 valuations per agency compared to 24 the previous month. This suggests that the market will pick up again in the coming months. Check the report. Trip to Oslo with VastgoedNed On the 18th and 19th of June, CEPI had the chance to participate in a study trip focused on professional exchange and cultural discovery organised together with Vastgoed Nederland, one of our Dutch member associations in Oslo, Norway. Participating in the event were a few more Dutch stakeholders such as representatives of the government and large municipalities. During the two days, we were all warmly welcomed and taken care of by Norsk Task and NEF, two of the representatives of real estate professionals in Norway, who put together a very interesting educational programme during which we had an interesting time in exchanging views on the Norwegian, Dutch and other European approaches on the housing/real estate market. You can check the Report prepared by VastgoedNederland on the ‘Norwegian mode’ of housing.