Momentum backs union calls for rent reforms to ease pressure on tenants
The party backed recommendations made by tenants' union Solidarjetà, following a report painting a bleak picture of the rental market
Momentum has endorsed recommendations by a tenants’ union aimed at easing pressure on tenants, following a recent report pointing to a lack of affordable properties within the rental market.
The Solidarjetà report published earlier this week found that most mid-priced properties were “unaffordable”, even for those on salaries of up to €40,00, according to Housing Authority guidelines that say rent should not exceed a quarter of one’s salary.
In a statement Sunday, Momentum said it supports recommendations made in the report, including ensuring that rent does not exceed the 25% outlined by the Housing Authority, introducing rent controls and encouraging contracts lasting longer than a year.
The party also highlighted its calls for the introduction of a tax on vacant second properties, a measure it said would discourage property owners from holding empty properties, push down rent prices and generate funds for social housing projects.
Momentum said that under its proposal, those with multiple properties of which only one is vacant would not face the tax, with the measure only applying to those with two vacant properties and only in relation to the second empty property.
It also took aim at Prime Minister Robert Abela and Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes – the latter of whom has hit the headlines in recent weeks following revelations about property deals with prominent developers.
“While the Affordable Housing Minister can afford multiple residences in Malta, Gozo, Britain, Sicily, North of Italy and it is being rumoured that the Prime Minister, apart from his Marsascala residence, Żejtun villa, Xewkija B&B, also has a ranch replete with horses in Sicily, the results of the Solidarjeta study clearly show that the majority of locations and regions are not affordable to tenants.”
The party also highlighted recent National Statistics Office figures showing that property prices had risen 5.7% in the three months leading up to the end of September compared to the same period the preceding year.
Momentum Treasurer Carmel Asciak said: "How are all those citizens who earn less than €40,000, and there are many, going to be assured that they get basic decent housing during their whole lifetime?”
Other Solidarjetà recommendations endorsed by the party include ending no-fault evictions, compensating tenants for illegal evictions, full housing subsidy payments for those reapplying to the scheme, increased subsidy coverage and increasing social housing stock.