Call for complete overhaul of rent laws

The Malta Institute of Management has welcomed the government's declaration that it will propose various amendments to the present rent laws but feels that nothing short of a complete overhaul of the these laws is needed to end 60 years of suffering endured by legitimate property owners.

The institute said there may be areas, such as residential housing, where a transition period is required but such a period should be as short as possible, considering that rent reform has been on the local agenda for at least the last 20 years.

The institute said that "inheritance of leases" was morally unjust and should be eliminated.

"The practice of relatives moving to live in with tenants to 'inherit' leased properties is nothing but daylight robbery," the IOM said.

The institute is also calling for the complete liberalisation of commercial leases.

It said undue delay will only strengthen the resolve of the Maltese people who have already responded in their thousands to calls for a referendum on the issue.

While agreeing to a timely consultation with all representative bodies concerned, the institute reminded the government that its legislative powers should take the lead and respond to the people's call for immediate reform.