Theresa Comodini Cachia has expressed strong reservations against the new rent laws in “Amendments to bring law into ‘conformity’”, (June 13).

She is right. Not only is it questionable to propose a flat two per cent increase in rent based on the total value of the rental property but it is against the fundamental right to property for a democratic government to protect those who have ample financial means to purchase or rent property at market value to be given an additional five years to vacate the property under the 1979 scheme where people of means are occupying private property for a pittance.

Such amendments are clearly disfavouring landlords whose property falls under the disproportionately undervalued 1979 rent laws.

The new laws, as proposed, overlook those landlords who are effectively left carrying the burden of having a sitting tenant who does not qualify as a person in need of social housing (at the landlord’s expense) but has taken advantage of old housing ordinance to occupy a property virtually rent free.

What is required is a reformed legislation which allows landlords to terminate the 1979 rental leases or increase rents at market value.