Leslie F. Grech, Mosta
Rent law leaves much to be desired
I have obtained a copy of Act X amending the Rent Law. The English translation is ludicrous, worthy of a Banana Republic! "Recovered", meaning accommodated, is translated as "recovering". There are words and phrases like "so however", "save unless otherwise agreed", "after that the lessor would have".
The Act itself is cowardly. I have already pointed out that not even in 20 years will residential rents reach market value.
In most cases, it will require two generations to pass away for the owner to be in full control and enjoyment of his own property.
The most spineless part is that which deals with clubs. The Bill, as first published, provided that where a lease of a club was not for a specified period, the lease should terminate on January 1, 2010.
Owing to lack of reporting on the debate, we do not know how much interest our MPs took in the matter but the Act now protects entirely the clubs, which remain under the laws existing prior to 1995. True, the minister may make regulations - in a matter in which he is bound to have a conflicting interest.
Parliament has washed its hands, handed its prerogative to the minister who is as likely to issue regulations as I am likely to receive from this bankrupt government the subsidy promised long ago for repairing my wooden balconies.
See you in the court of human rights.
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malcolm seychell
Jul 4th 2009, 21:52
Leslie F. Grech
I wish you the best of luck.
It is a shame, and even more a shame that Joseph Muscat the new supposed leader didn't mentioned anything about this.
Propja progressiv!! Fejn jaqbillu jaghmel ezatt bhal gvern!!!
Agnes Borg
Jul 4th 2009, 21:17
I think it is unfair to continue protecting clubs and trying to solve the problem of the other rented properties only. The rented club owners have a right as every other owner to have their property back. Here, the clubs totally take advantage of the old rent law by subrenting part of the property as a bar and are gaining 100 times more that they actually pay for the annual rent of the whole club. Besides making use of the property at riduculous rent, they are making an unjust profit over the actual owners who have no say for this. Mr Gonzi, isn't it time to change the law for clubs as well?
d.attard
Jul 4th 2009, 15:19
Most of us may be perhaps shocked If our independent media had the time and resources to analyse in some detail the actual content of drafted laws and the proceess how these actually become the law of the land,
Susan Paris
Jul 4th 2009, 13:05
I couldn't agree more! These rent laws are unjust and outdated it is high time someone went to the courts for human rights. We have been waiting for 12 years to get our family home back. In the meantime we had two children who have to live with us in a rented flat whilst someone else is enjoying our HOME. Is that just?