Short-term rentals petition extended after major fault on Parliament website
'Disheartening' technical issue stopped petitioners from signing up - Momentum
The deadline for a parliamentary petition calling for immediate action on the regulation of short-term rentals has been extended by 15 days after “disheartening” technical faults with the parliament’s website.
In a statement on Thursday, Momentum said the extension was granted following “significant technical issues” on the Parliament’s official petitions website which prevented anyone from signing the petition between July 30 and August 12.
“The technical faults were disheartening, but now that they are fixed, it is more important than ever for every affected resident to make their voice heard and demand action,” Momentum treasurer Carmel Asciak said.
The petition, which was launched by Arnold Cassola on behalf of Momentum, addresses the “untenable situations” residents are being forced to endure in localities such as Swieqi, St Julian’s, Sliema, Buġibba, Qawra, Gżira, Marsascala, and Valletta.
The party noted that the problems associated with unregulated short-term letting are also spreading rapidly across all tourist-heavy areas of Malta, “eroding the quality of life for residents”.
Momentum said it had been in contact with the Office of the Clerk of the House and acknowledged their “prompt response and swift action” to investigate and resolve the technical faults.
However, the party expressed concern over “repeated” issues.
“Citizens have faced similar technical hurdles with several other important petitions, creating a barrier to democratic participation. We sincerely hope that permanent solutions are implemented to ensure the reliability of this vital civic tool for the future,” Momentum said.
They urged “every person who previously tried to sign the petition but failed” to try again.
“Your signature is crucial in demonstrating the widespread public demand for sensible regulation and enforcement,” the party added.
Earlier this month, a group of proactive Swieqi residents took matters into their own hands when the managed to "successfully engage" with short-term rentals platforms AirBnB and Booking to tackle issues with problematic rentals in their locality.
Residents have long complained about misbehaving tourists urinating in public on a residential street or walking around naked.
The mayor of Swieqi NOel Muscat has called for a raft of measures to tackle the "crisis" in the town.