Mandatory Registration
As from 1st January 2020 lease contracts for a primary residential purpose must be registered by the owner with the Housing Authority within thirty (30) days from the commencement of the lease. The lease contract needs to be registered online on the website www.rentregistration.gov.mt.
The Registration of Private Residential Leases Contracts Regulations, 2019 (Subsidiary Legislation 604.02) have been enacted by virtue of L.N. 355 of 2019. Five years later, Act XX of 2024 introduced significant amendments to the laws governing leases and private residential leases mostly aimed to simplify certain procedures, clarify specific provisions of the law, further protect tenants and ensure the better habitability standards of dwelling houses.
What are the requirements?
All the private residential leases drawn shall be done in writing and must include the following requirements:
- The property which is being leased;
- Intended use as agreed;
- The period covering the lease;
- Whether, and how, the lease can be renewed;
- The lease amount and how this should be paid;
- Any amount deposited by the lessee by way of security, for the performance of his obligations;
- An inventory attesting the condition of the premises as well as the state of any furniture and domestic appliances supplied by the lessor. This is mandatory for contracts with commencement dates from 1st January 2020 onwards.
- The Lessor Self-Declaration, officially provided by the Housing Authority confirming details of property regarding the number of bedrooms and bathrooms available in the apartment.
- Template contracts have also been provided by the Housing Authority for all types of situations.
- Fees for registration and renewal are payable to the Housing Authority are there is also a late submission fee which may be applied if a contract is registered after the 30 days period.
For more information about the rental contract registration process please contact us at:
📞 (+356) 2155 9999
📧 info@jcordina-andco.com
