Rent commission

A few weeks ago AD`s chairman Harry Vassallo wrote to the prime minister and the leader of the opposition in order to create the basis for a national consensus on the badly needed reform of our obsolete rent laws.

The present rent laws are leading to a situation in which nearly one in every four houses in Malta is vacant.

The gradual liberalisation of the rent market will increase the availability of houses for rent and thus there will be less need to build on virgin land.

Those who cannot afford to buy property will also have the option of renting a place at a reasonable price.

Hopefully, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition will accept Dr Vassallo`s proposal for the setting up of a national commission on this issue.

This national commission should be composed of appointees chosen by the three parties. The commission should also ensure that no one falls through the safety net because of this reform.

Hopefully Malta will not lose another opportunity because of partisan pique. Eddie Fenech Adami and Alfred Sant should rise to the occasion and accept Dr Vassallo`s call for consensus on this issue.