Chamber welcomes rent reform proposals

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise has welcomed the publication of the rent reform White Paper.

It said its ad hoc Committee on Rent Laws had been pressing hard for an effective solution to be sought for the unjust aspects of the pre-1995 rent laws: including tenants’ abuse of the existing laws.

The Chamber said it was mostly encouraged by the fact that political consensus was being sought on this issue.

"The Chamber has always maintained that the reason why property owners are reluctant to rent houses to Maltese people is based on one of trust. Landlords lack trust in legislators because in the past successive governments have legislated with retroactive effect. IThe Chamber reiterates its call that this consensus – especially on the issue of requisition orders – results in entrenchment in the constitution."

It said it was also satisfied with the fact that the recommendations proposed not only apply to tenancies of private landlords but also to the government in its capacity as a landlord of leased property as well as a tenant of property leased from the private sector.

"There are other proposals which in the opinion of the Chamber need fine-tuning or reconsideration. The Chamber also feels that certain aspects have been omitted, and it will be highlighting these in its detailed submissions as an official reaction to this White Paper – submissions which will be issued in the coming weeks."