Global Mobility Insights from K2 Group, Q2 2026 - Part II

Housing

Africa:

‍Demand for short-term accommodation in South Africa remains high, particularly in major cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg. A growing number of landlords are shifting their properties to short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, attracted by higher yields and increased flexibility.

This trend is reducing the availability of traditional corporate housing and driving up costs for temporary accommodation. As a result, clients may see increased assignment budgets in this area and may need to secure accommodation further in advance. Corporate leasing options are becoming more limited, reinforcing the importance of working with trusted suppliers.

LATAM:

‍The temporary accommodation market across Latin America continues to face challenges due to a lack of standardisation and regulation. Property quality, service levels, and compliance standards can vary significantly between providers, increasing the risk of inconsistent assignee experiences.

Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are particularly affected. In response, many organisations are opting to use international hotel chains or requesting flexible lease terms that allow early termination without penalty.

Additionally, unregulated providers can introduce compliance risks, particularly around safety standards and contractual protections. To mitigate this, K2 is expanding its network of vetted accommodation partners and

encouraging the use of pre-approved supplier lists to ensure quality and reliability.

Be prepared for ‘Rock in Rio’. This is one of the largest and most iconic music festivals in the world, established in 1985 as a celebration of Brazil’s return to democracy. The festival takes place in Rio de Janeiro over two weekends: 4th – 7th September and 11th – 13th September. Hotels and serviced apartments are largely booked up already, so it is best to avoid arriving during this period.  

UK:

Following the rollout of the Renters’ Rights Bill on the 1st May 2026, no significant challenges have emerged; however, it is still very early days. There has been a notable drop in stock in some locations, but whilst this may be due to landlords selling up following the Bill coming into effect, it may also simply be due to tenants choosing not to move.  

APAC:

‍Hong Kong has now entered its peak rental season (June–September), resulting in increased demand, higher rental prices, and reduced property availability.

Assignees should be prepared for:

• Rental price increases during peak season
• Fast-moving opportunities requiring quick decision-making
• Increased competition from both expats and mainland Chinese tenants
• Rental price increases during peak season
• Fast-moving opportunities requiring quick decision-making
• Increased competition from both expats and mainland Chinese tenants

Additional risks include inaccurate listings,

scams, and logistical challenges when securing properties remotely.

To mitigate these challenges, K2 will support with:

• Preparing all documentation and deposits in advance
• Expanding search areas and being flexible on property criteria
• Considering temporary accommodation as an interim solution
• Verifying listings thoroughly through trusted agents
• Conducting exploratory trips where possible

Forward planning is essential to securing suitable housing in this market.

Immigration

For all immigration updates shared over the course of Q2, including the importance of following the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) in Singapore; new rules for people from Ukraine from 11^th June; and correct Right to Work (RTW) checks and common compliance risks in the UK, please refer to the K2 X Border LinkedIn page.

Keep an eye on...

The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa: The outbreak is mostly contained to the DRC and Ghana, and is under control. Recently, there has been a gradual uplift in the number of people infected; authorities remain calm as the duty of care frameworks which are in place to manage outbreaks of this sort are functioning well. To date, none of our clients have made the decision to repatriate their assignees.

Civil unrest in Bolivia: In response to the Bolivian President’s failure to tackle rising inflation and low wages, Bolivia’s National Workers’ Union, peasant farmers and Indigenous groups from the highlands have set up a total of 90 blockades on key routes nationwide, effectively isolating major cities, especially La Paz, the seat of government and neighbouring El Alto. The President has tried to negotiate with the protesters and has urged restraint in the use of police force against them. However, he is coming under increasing pressure to mount a more aggressive response to the unrest, e.g. by enforcing a state of emergency, suspending constitutional rights and empowering the military to restore order and clear the blockades.

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In summary, we close out Q2 2026 with a mixed outlook for global mobility, with stability in some regions offset by disruption and volatility in others. While certain markets, such as the UK, remain relatively stable, ongoing geopolitical tensions, regulatory changes, and supply-demand imbalances continue to drive cost pressures and operational complexity globally. K2 remain focused on providing practical expertise, support and guidance, helping clients to navigate the evolving landscape and ensure successful assignment outcomes.

K2's third Global Mobility Insights publication of the year will be released at the end of September. In the meantime, should you have any questions or requests for support, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.