The Ministry for Social Accommodation and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry held a very positive consultation meeting regarding the reform of protected rents which has been described as a step forward.
In the meetings’ introduction, Minister for Social Accommodation Roderick Galdes explained how during the consultation process for the first rent reform in 2019, the Chamber was at the forefront in proposing a solution to the matter of the pre-1995 protected rents.
“After successfully regulating the liberalized rental market, which was the product of a wide consultation effort and effective enforcement, today we have embarked upon another reform. We have been able to achieve this because in recent years we made positives strides in the right direction, with schemes that make the property market more accessible to further people, a regulated rental market, social housing projects, and strong benefits that ensure affordability”, stated Minister Galdes.
Minister Galdes explained that this reform will bring justice by ensuring that those in need are protected while also ensuring a fair income for landlords.
He continued that consultation with key partners is continuing to refine proposals to make the process involved more efficient, reduce litigation, and strengthen the relationship between tenants and landlords.
This contrasts to previous interventions made in the past including in 2009, which escalated landlord-tenant litigation over both the amount of rents and the inheritance. Minister Galdes therefore said that the reform led by him puts the emphasis on two key priorities: balance and justice.
On its part, the Chamber of Commerce said that it recognises the government’s courage to address this challenge that has been present for decades, and recognises that the proposed reform is a significant step forward.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Architect David Xuereb, commented that this is the first step in finding this balance and continued that the Chamber will be offering support to the government to start this process as soon as possible and to implement it equitably with both landlords and tenants.
Photos: MSA
