6 Rights to Know When Renting from a Private Landlord

When renting a property in Malta, your relationship with your landlord can go a long way towards determining how easy or complicated the rental process involving moving in, and living in your new rented home, can be. 

And while there’s no accounting for the personality of the landlord you’re renting from and the issues that could arise, the law and your rental agreement will set clear parameters for how the relationship can go. 

Tenant rights when renting private property

As a tenant, you are entitled to certain rights which your landlord must ensure are respected, while also taking on obligations that will fall on you to meet. So, understanding what you should and shouldn’t reasonably expect from your landlord will help to avoid any nasty surprises, and ensure you know where you stand should any pop up. With that in mind, here are six rights you should know as a tenant before or while living in a property for rent in Malta or Gozo. 

1. Unannounced visits

Dealing with your landlord sometimes might not be an easy task. One of your most important rights as a tenant is your right to privacy, meaning your landlord can’t just show up unannounced without informing you first. Inspection visits may sometimes be necessary, but your lease should specify the notice period you should expect – usually 24 hours – and will usually require agreement on a suitable time. 

The only exception is an emergency situation, such as imminent damage to the building. But apart from exceptional circumstances like these, visits without adequate notice are not something you should ever expect to deal with.

2. Going off-radar when you need them

Just as frustrating as a landlord who is too involved in one who disappears as soon as they hand over the keys. Your landlord should be accessible whether there’s a sudden emergency or other issues such as repairs that need dealing with, and you should never expect to have to spend days trying to get in touch. 

Remember, as a tenant you have a legal right to live in any type of property for rent that is safe, healthy and in a good state of repair. If problems arise with plumbing, electrical, heating or cooling systems, locks or structural issues, your landlord should be ready to address them in a timely manner, and you should expect to be able to reach them easily for them to do so. 

3. Solving every problem that crops up

While your landlord is responsible for ensuring the property for rent is safe and healthy to live in, you shouldn’t necessarily expect them to deal with every issue that could arise. 

Chipping paint, dripping faucets or running toilets are annoying, but don’t make the property rental unliveable, and may not be the landlord’s responsibility to fix, unless stated in your rental agreement or explicitly agreed to. 

The same applies to objects like light bulbs that wear out in normal use: it’s usually going to be your responsibility as a tenant to deal with it, so unless you’ve specifically agreed on it in advance, you shouldn’t expect your landlord to do so for you. 

4. Solving civil disputes

Similarly, you shouldn’t expect your landlord to solve disputes you may have with your neighbours, or other people living in a shared apartment block. 

There are some issues your landlord may be able to help with, but if you’re dealing with noisy neighbours, annoyance from a nearby construction site, street parking issues or other similar problems, you should be prepared to speak to the people involved or the authorities yourself. 

You also shouldn’t expect your landlord to step into the role of the police or emergency services. If there’s an emergency like a fire, break-in or another immediate safety issue, call the authorities first, not your landlord. 

5. Sudden changes in rent or termination of your lease

While your living situation in a rented property in Malta or Gozo, like an apartment for rent, may change from time to time, one thing that should never come as a surprise is a sudden increase in rent – or worse, your landlord unexpectedly ending your lease. 

According to Chapter 604, in the Private Residential Leases Act, the law ensures that your landlord has to give you at least three months’ notice, by means of a registered letter, before terminating your lease. Meanwhile, rent can be increased only once a year if this is agreed upon in the contract, and only up to a maximum limit of 5% over the original rent. 

6. Anything more than what you’ve agreed to

As a tenant, it’s important to know your rights and to ensure they’re fulfilled, but it’s also important to remember that your rental contract is essentially a transaction and that you shouldn’t expect more than what both sides have signed up to – and hopefully some common decency. 

Being a responsible tenant counts. Read your rental agreement thoroughly to understand what you are and are not entitled to, and make sure you fulfil your side of the arrangement by paying your bills on time, taking care of the property, reporting any issues, and following any rules that may have been laid down. Read more about the 6 risks landlords must know when renting a property in Malta or Gozo.  

Tenant relationship with a landlord 

Maintaining a good relationship with your landlord, whilst in a property for rent in Malta, will go a long way towards minimising any potential friction, but don’t expect anything beyond what the law and your agreement entitles you to. 

Our team of experienced experts at RE/MAX Letting is here to help you with any questions you may have about your relationship with your landlord. Get in touch today!