Minister for Housing and Lands Owen Bonnici has launched the start of a consultation process that should lead to the drafting of a Buyers’ Charter that establishes clear principles, standards and expectations for all residential property transactions.
The Buyers’ Charter is one of the election promises being addressed in the first 100 days of this Government, and reflects a vision that recognises that a person’s housing needs may change throughout their lifetime.
Minister Bonnici stated, “When a person buys a property, they are making a decision that can affect their life and that of their family for many years. Therefore, we want the buyer to know exactly what their rights and responsibilities are, what they should look out for and what they can do if their rights are not respected. We are bringing together all stakeholders to build, through consultation, a Buyers’ Charter that is practical, clear and credible. This is the policy that gives more voice, more knowledge and more power to the consumer.”
Housing Authority Chief Executive Matthew Zerafa said, “The role of the Housing Authority is not only to provide assistance in the field of housing but also to contribute to having a property market that works better for people. The Buyers’ Charter should offer the opportunity to establish, together with stakeholders in this sector, a common set of principles and expectations that apply to all buyers of residential property. Our ambition is that this will serve as a national declaration of what good practices in the property market in our country involve.”
This initiative will build on the First-Time Buyers Guide introduced by the Housing Authority last year, but will have a much broader scope: it will not only be addressed to those who are buying their first home, but to any buyer of residential property, regardless of age, stage of life or reason for entering the market.
The Buyers’ Charter will be based on principles of transparency, awareness of rights and responsibilities, and consumer empowerment, including clear information on what a buyer can do when their rights are not respected.
The process will bring together key players in the sector, including developers, estate agents, banks, architects, notaries and public authorities, with the aim of creating a single, accessible and practical tool. This Charter will also highlight good practices and challenges that buyers should be aware of before making one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.
Anyone wishing to participate in the public consultation on the Buyers’ Charter can visit https://www.gov.mt/mt/publicconsultation/Pages/2026/NL-0031-2026.aspx and provide their opinion. The consultation will remain open for two months.
