“Il-proposti fil-White Paper dwar ir-Regolamentazzjoni tas-Suq tal-kera huma ġeneralment pass ‘il quddiem, u jekk implementati bla dubju jservu biex joħolqu stabilità tas-suq tal-kera fil-qafas ta’ protezzjoni ġusta kemm tal-inkwilini kif ukoll tas-sidien. Hemm ħtieġa imma li jkun hemm diskussjoni serja biex ikunu evitati diffikultajiet bla bżonn.” Dan qalu Carmel Cacopardo Chairperson ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika huwa u jikkummenta f’konferenza tal-aħbarijiet f’Bormla dwar il-proposti tal-Gvern għar-regolamentazzjoni tas-suq tal-kera fil-White Paper ippubblikata riċentement.

Hu kompla jgħid “Kif ġustament jikkummenta d-dokument ippubblikat mill-Gvern, dan il-pajjiż fil-passat kellu sistemi ta’ kontroll riġidi u kienu dawn il-kontrolli li qatlu s-suq tal-kera. Imma morna minn estrem għall-ieħor tant li illum qegħdin f’sitwazzjoni bla ebda forma ta’ regolamentazzjoni: għax drajna li f’dan il-pajjiż jew nejja inkella maħruqa.”

“Huwa għaldaqstant floku li soġġett għall-eċċezzjonjijiet proposti fil-White Paper il-kirja minima tkun għal perjodu ta’ sena u li jekk ma jkunx hemm il-ħsieb li l-kirja tiġġedded jingħata avviż adegwat. Kien wasal iż-żmien ukoll li jkunu regolati d-depożiti li jistgħu jintalbu biex jagħmlu tajjeb għal ħsarat, kontijiet mhux imħallsa jew xi materja oħra. Minn dak li nisimgħu kontinwament dan hu qasam fejn kienu qed isiru l-abbużi u huwa għaldaqstant tajjeb illi jinħoloq mekkaniżmu kif dawn l-abbużi jkunu regolati.”

“Anke iż-żidiet tal-kera li titħallas tul il-perjodu tal-kuntratt huwa tajjeb li jkunu regolati sewwa u dan għax hu meħtieġ u anke ġust li kulħadd ikun jaf fejn qiegħed.”

Carmel Cacopardo kompla jghid li “Fil-kuntest tal-proposti li qed jagħmel il-Gvern, dwar kirjiet li jagħlqu Alternattiva Demokratika jidhrilha li m’għandux tinħoloq eċċezzjoni li tiġġustifika terminazzjoni prematura ta’ kuntratt ta’ kirja biex sid ta’ post jieħdu lura għar-ragunijiet li jissemmew fil-White Paper: għall-użu tiegħu jew ta’ qraba, bejgħ  inkella żvilupp mill-ġdid. Dawn jistgħu jkunu raġunijiet validi biex kirja ma tiġġeddidx imma mhux biex tkun terminata qabel il-waqt.”

Carmel Cacopardo ikkonkluda billi qal li “Biex is-suq tal-kera tal-propjeta residenzjali jissaħħah mhux biżżejjed li jkunu regolati l-kirjiet mis-settur privat. Huwa importanti ukoll presenza aktar qawwija tal-qasam tal-akkomodazzjioni soċjali pprovdut li jrid jibqa’ disponibbli għall-vulnerabbli billi ma jinbiegħx imma jibqa’ jintuża minn dawk li għandhom ħtieġa għalih.”

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Rental market stability important. System will work if tied to an adequate stock of social housing

“The White Paper proposals dealing with the regulation of the residential property market are generally a step forward. If implemented they will undoubtedly serve to ensure that the residential property market is stable and fair to both landlords and tenants. There is however a need for a detailed consideration of the proposals to ensure that unnecessary difficulties are avoided.” This was stated by Carmel Cacopardo Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party at a press conference on the recently published White Paper on the regulation of the residential property market in Bormla.

He added “As aptly pointed out in the White Paper, Malta has in the past had rigid systems of control which negatively impacted the rental market. At times going from one extreme to the other.”

“It is therefore reasonable that, subject to the White Paper proposed exceptions, the minimum length of leases be of one year and that adequate notice be given when leases are not to be renewed. It is also about time that deposits requested by landlords relative to damages, unpaid bills or other matters should be regulated by law as this is a matter in respect of which various conflicts arise continuously.”

“It was also necessary to ensure that possible variations to the rent paid throughout the duration of the lease are properly regulated as it is necessary for both landlords and tenants to be fully aware of all the rights and duties arising from lease agreements.”

“Carmel Cacopardo added that “when considering the White Paper proposals on the determination of leases, Alternattiva Demokratika considers that the proposed exceptions which seek to justify an early determination of a lease agreement by landlords, for own use, in order to facilitate sale with vacant possession, or for redevelopment, should be discarded. The reasons which the White Paper uses to justify early determination should only be acceptable for non-renewal of leases but not for their early termination.”

Carmel Cacopardo concluded by stating that “In order that the residential property market is stabilised it is not enough to regulated private sector leasing. It is also important that access to social accommodation available is facilitated for the vulnerable sectors. Social accommodation should not be sold but should remain in use as intended, that is as social accomodation.”