Properties rented for business activities from the government or private owners will revert to the owners on June 1, 2028 in terms of a 20-year sunset clause which had been unanimously agreement in parliament, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici confirmed in parliament this evening.

He explained in reply to questions that this only applied where contracts did not specify otherwise with regard to the renewal of the lease.

Properties rented for use as clubs do not fall under this clause.

Dr Bonnici said in reply to questions by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi that to date there had been no change in the decision unanimously agreed when the rent laws were amended.

The ‘sunset clause’ he said, applied for rents entered into before June 1, 2008. There would be no distinction between the government and private owners.

As for properties rented for use as clubs, of whatever nature, he said the courts had confirmed the new mechanism which improved the rents were in line with the European Convention on human rights.

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