Expiry of temporary emphyteusis

The Bill moved by the Justice Minister to enable tenants to renew their emphyteusis is a big blow to the landlords who hoped they would get their property back.

This Bill is an eye opener to landlords not to put their trust in any agreement with the tenants, as this is easily annulled by governments in favour of the tenants.

Landlords have for long been the underdogs and are still waiting for the government to finally amend the 1939 Rent Act which is a great injustice. Now it seems clear that the government has no such intentions.

The only redeeming part of the recent parliamentary debate came from Anglu Farrugia, who understood the landlords' plea.

His suggestion that the tenants should be granted the right of habitation with no right of inheritance of their residence, once the emphyteusis expired, makes sense as it offers some hope if not to the landlords at least to their heirs. This Bill has only done one thing. It has reinforced the landlords' mistrust in renting their properties because they will never get it back. It will continue to reduce the rent market. As a result many are forced to make sacrifices to buy their homes.