A two-week holiday for four people in a boathouse in Armier will set you back almost €2,200, even though renting out the property is illegal.

The Sunday Times of Malta journalist posed as a potential client, saying four friends were visiting the country from the UK between December 21 and January 4. The owner said two boathouses were available and she could accommodate the request at a cost of €39 per person per night.

The call followed a post on Facebook advertising the property located close to the White Tower in Armier for €600 per month for short lets. “These recently restored boathouses are hidden gems, just 30 metres away from sandy beaches with stunning views and crystal blue waters. Each boathouse has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom and a large veranda. Rent includes all utility bills, Wi-Fi and satellite TV,” according to the social media post.

The boathouses in the area have been at the centre of controversy because they were built on public land without a permit or title to the land. The numbers have continued to increase over the years mushrooming into shanty towns.

In 2013, the court ruled that the construction of at least 12 of them were illegal since they were built on public land and too close to the foreshore, which cannot be privatised according to law.

In January, Armier boathouses were fitted with smart meters despite a public uproar. The government had said the move was part of a clampdown on electricity theft. Yet this also facilitated the rental of these properties, sources told this newspaper. 

Boathouses cannot acquire a licence from the Malta Tourism Authority for tourist accommodation – if there is no Mepa permit, then no licence can be issued according to law.

caroline.muscat@timesofmalta.com