HIGHER interest rates and lower property valuations have pushed aggregate leverage ratios of real estate investment trusts (Reits) towards regulatory limits.

However, industry watchers are divided on whether tweaks should be made to the gearing ratio limits to offer some relief to the Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (S-Reits).

Experts polled by The Business Times (BT) said the need for flexibility needs to be weighed against investor protection considerations.