Ljubljana - A record number of building permits were issued in Slovenia last year, which means journalists could soon start writing about something else than just a shortage of flats and skyrocketing prices, the newspaper Delo says in its front-page commentary on Saturday.

The news broken by the Statistics Office this week bodes well for new construction projects, which should increase the offer of new flats.

It is true that in 2022 and 2023 first home owners will move to newly-built flats, but this will not be enough to change the situation in the market drastically.

The national rental service has also already become up-and-running this year renting private flats and leasing them for at least three years.

But Delo says that despite a record demand for flats, there are still some that are empty, which could be changed if a real estate tax was introduced.

The current government renounced the tax already last year, and there is in general no true political will for change in this field.

Another change that is about to happen at the end of the month is the first real estate company being listed on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.

Equinox real estate fund has already announced its plan to develop new properties, which could bring a change in mentality to the market, and has promised dividends.

What is more, owners of Equinox shares could also become owners of Equinox real estate, which means the Slovenian hunger for property ownership could be satisfied, Delo concludes its commentary, headlined Insatiable Hunger for Real Estate.