An official press release reported that at the launch of the White Paper, the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stated that the undertaking of the pre-1995 rent reforms was one of the objectives stated by the President of Malta in the opening of the 11th Legislature last month.

The Prime Minister stated that the need for reform of the pre-1995 rent laws was a necessary prerequisite both in terms of securing a functioning rental market as well as in rectifying injustices towards landlords arising from laws introduced in a different era for legitimate specific purposes but no longer relevant in today’s circumstances. 

The Prime Minister emphasised that the reforms approved by cabinet, do not seek an overnight transition from the current state of play to a fully liberalised market.  The Government took care to weave a balance between the need to avoid social and economic dislocation to tenants whilst at the same time undertaking a transitional process that will assure social justice to the landlord. 

The Minister for Social Policy John Dalli stated that the targeting of the rent reforms as the first public manifestation of the reforms to be undertaken by his Ministry was a strategic decision directed to demonstrate that his Ministry will not hold back from undertaking reforms in what are seen by all to be difficult policy areas, and which tend to generate hesitation, if not trepidation, in moving with change amongst policy makers. 

Minister Dalli further stated that the Government has a responsibility to review and re-assess policy decisions made in the past, and in the case of the pre-1995 rent laws, in the historic past, to see whether these are any longer relevant, whether they continue to meet the objectives for which they were initially set, whether they continue to contribute to progress, and subsequently to take measures and action as appropriate. 

Minister Dalli added that the Government recognises that a reform on the pre-1995 rent laws will create emotive discussion:  the landlords may wish more aggression in the tempo for reform; the tenants far less than that being proposed.  Thus, given the sensitivity of the matter under review the Ministry for Social Policy will be undertaking a comprehensive consultation process which Minister Dalli will personally lead over the next two months.  Minister Dalli invited all interested parties as well as constituted bodies / NGOs / individuals to participate in the consultation process.  Minister Dalli thanked Mr Censu Galea for piloting the reforms of 1995 and Minister Cristina for the work carried out by her Ministry in last administration, which work was incorporated in the White Paper. 

The White Paper can be downloaded from www.rentreform.gov.mt.  Interested parties can send their feedback either to the Chairperson, The Rents Reform Working Committee,  Ministry for Social Policy, Palazzo Ferreria, Valletta or electronically on rentreform@gov.mt