Revision of rent laws

I usually admire Harry Vassallo's versatility in his write-ups and agree with quite a few of the proposals and recommendations put forward by the Green Party.

The militant way of collecting signatures for a referendum to solve the question of the rent laws disturbed me and made me think of the potential consequences if the issue is not tackled delicately and responsibly.

It is not that one does not agree that it is overdue for the government to see that justice is done with all owners but one cannot do this at the expense of those living in very low-rent houses. It seems that AD is emphasising the owners' plight and giving little importance to the social aspect with regard to the tenants.

They are arguing that in some of those houses live rich people who can afford to give the house to the owner or pay more rent. But what about the many who cannot afford to pay higher rents? AD is putting the cart before the horse by crying out for a referendum to abrogate the rent laws before seeing first how to accommodate all those families who may find themselves in the streets without a roof over their heads.

In my opinion, one has first to prepare legislation on how to support and accommodate all the families who cannot afford to rent or buy a new home. It is not in vain that all the governments since the war were afraid to touch - without being very sensitive - this piece of legislation.

The rent laws need to be revised. There is no doubt about that. One may start with the right-of-inheritance issue. But first one must make sure that the poor families living in these mostly shabby houses are protected and safeguarded.

It seems that AD is not considering well enough the complexity of the rent laws and the potential economic and social repercussions. Otherwise they would surely have first put forward proposals and solutions for problems that would surely crop up as soon as the rent laws are abrogated.

Meanwhile, it was good news to know that the government looks like moving on this very sensitive issue. The Family and Social Solidarity Minister declared that the system as it is needs to be reformed. It is committed to finding a solution and, to this end, a working group has been meeting regularly.

Maybe it needs a little pushing as, like always, it tends to take till Kingdom come to come up with solutions.