Property rented at 1939 levels!

I must congratulate Dr Harry Vassallo for his article "Rent heart" (The Sunday Times, August 22). He really hit the nail on the head. The rent laws in Malta have long been outdated and should be immediately reformed.

One major reform should be the abolition of the 'inheritance' of tenancies of rented property. This is an infamous, undemocratic and unChristian law.

The Prime Minister, Dr Gonzi, is well aware that this law is being abused daily. It is a legalised way of usurping other people's property. There is no chance that the owner can some day have his property back as the tenancy can be inherited from mother to daughter or from grandmother to grandson or grand-daughter.

Besides, sometimes the daughter sells her own house for a good price and moves in with her parent living in property paying only 1939-level rent. Meanwhile, the children of the property owners, have to get a loan of thousands of liri from the bank to buy a house. This is a gross injustice and should be remided immediately.

Also when the owner dies it is his or her heirs who have to pay duty on the transfer of property, and not the tenant who is enjoying the house. The government in this way is denying the right of property of a rented house back to its owner and this is a breach of human rights.

Mr R. Grech (The Sunday Times, August 22) was right when he said that Government is inviting a challenge in the European Court of Justice or in the Council of Europe Court of Human Rights.

What is Dr Gonzi waiting for? He should stand up and not be afraid to change what is wrong. This is a question of justice.