In a news conference in the Parliament building, the Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation Roderick Galdes announced legal amendments that will be strengthening the rental sector, in such a way that they will strengthen enforcement and push forward the simplification in the process.
“Three years ago we made an unprecedented reform in the rental sector. Today, with our face from the front we are presenting legal amendments that will offer more stability and simplification of the process,” claimed Minister Galdes.
The minister also said that the majority of the owners are in compliance with the laws and were catalysts for these amendments being presented today. However there is still a small band of owners who are not compliant with these laws and will be addressed through these amendments. “That is why with the legal amendments we are announcing today, an owner will not be able to register more than 6 people in one place as stipulated in the Subsidiary Legislation – Classes of Use in Development Planning,” said the – Minister Galdes.
Another amendment that was presented is that the Housing Authority will be able to give administrative penalties up to a maximum of €2,329, where there is a breach of practice, such as unregistered contracts. “If the owner does not cooperate with the Authority and does not comply with the law in a short time, the owner will be brought before the Magistrates’ Court and may be fined up to a maximum of €10,000,” Minister Galdes continued to explain.
CEO of the Housing Authority Matthew Zerafa said that after three years ago the first professional standards were introduced in the rental market, the amendments that are being presented today will continue to support r -a good relationship that exists between tenants and owners through more compliance and simplification of processes. “We are ensuring that the rental market continues to offer dignified living opportunities and stability for Maltese families,” concluded Matthew Zerafa.
Photo: DOI/MSAA
