Thursday, 28th August 2008 - 16:19CET

Rent reform should not lead to lower living standards - UHM

The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin insisted today that the rent reform should not lead to a drop in the living standards of people who rented their residence before 1995.

The union welcomed the White Paper on reform and the consensus on the need for such reform.

It insisted, however, that low income families should not be subject to changes in their rent s which would lead to a considerable deterioration of their standard of living. Furthermore, there should be an adequate transition period to enable tenants to adjust to changes.

The UĦM said that social accommodation should remain a government responsibility but the government should ensure that beneficiaries were eligible to make use of such accommodation.

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Comments

apgrech (on 28/8/08)

I know of "low income families" who go abroad for holidays while the "landlord" cannot do the same because he had to buy a house to live in since "his" is occupied by someone else and he has a mortgage to pay.

The rent law is simply ridiculous. If anyone needs help, it's up to the government to help and not private individuals.

Anthony Baldacchino (on 28/8/08)

Now the government has opened Pandora's box get ready for disaster and chaos

Josette Buttigieg (on 28/8/08)

It is quite right for UHM to stand up for low income families. However it should not ignore the fact that in many cases property owners are themselves low income earners. What is more unfair still is that valuable property is rented out at ridiculous prices just because it was rented long years ago and the tenants won't vacate it. How do you feel if you own a property valued at around 450000 euros and rented out at a miserable rent of 40 euros annually. This is not a random example. It is a true fact.

Karl Abela (on 28/8/08)

I have had enough of paying subsidy to people from our own taxes. Everyone should live within their means.

Wilfred Camilleri (on 28/8/08)

The UHM comment that "low income families should not be subject to changes in their rent s which would lead to a considerable deterioration of their standard of living" is well and fine, but this shouldn't come at the expense of the property owners. The current laws have relegated some property owners to "low Income" status especially if they rely on the income from their property. Rent should reflect current market conditions. It is then up to the government to provide low income families with the necessary assistance/subsidies to afford the rent.