Free professional service on matters related to old rents by the Housing Authority 

A new unit within the Housing Authority will offer assistance and a professional service to anyone affected with pre-1995 residential rents. The service includes full coordination, advice, and legal assistance to anyone in need.

This professional service is being offered free of charge.

The new laws governing controlled residential leases come into force on June 1 after they were unanimously approved by Parliament this week.

 “This is the first practical step in carrying out the biggest social reform in our country,” said Minister for Social Accommodation, Roderick Galdes, when inaugurating the new unit. 

 Minister Galdes explained how the new laws represent an historic step as they bring a balance that gives protection to those in need and by virtue of a strong benefit ensure adequate income to the owners.

 Along with protection and benefit, it is the assistance and attention offered by the Authority that make this a social reform.

 “We have adopted a sensitive approach, aware that the reform impacts the home,” said Minister Roderick Galdes.

In fact, Housing Authority employees who will be providing the dedicated service to tenants and owners are receiving specialised training by mental health professionals to ensure the service provided is sensitive and adequate.

The Housing Authority has long been providing all the necessary information in connection with the controlled rents reform. In fact, since the reform was announced back in February, more than 4,000 calls have already been answered on Freephone 153.

The Housing Authority’s CEO, Leonid McKay, said this new department draws the Authority closer to the people as it ensures another reform is implemented successfully. The Housing Authority is taking on this new responsibility after becoming the regulator of the residential rental market in 2020.

McKay emphasized the importance of a specialised service by professionals that the Housing Authority is making available to the public.

The controlled residential leases reform is fixing anomalies that have been dragging since the 1920s. While ensuring the protection to tenants in need, for the first time, the law ensures the owners of the return of their property while in the meantime guaranteeing an adequate income. 

Link to footage: https://we.tl/t-HLviGdRGrv