Average rental prices in Malta have risen by roughly 47 per cent between 2013 and 2016 and soaring prices are raising concerns on affordability by Maltese and foreign people alike.
Maltese and foreign workers and families are having a problem when it comes to finding affordable places to rent, especially low-income earners. The minimum wage in Malta is set at €735 a month.
Government has ruled out regularising the rental market with finance minister Edward Scicluna insisting that the market would “adjust itself.”
https://youtu.be/cqLHFkVnWbg
However, while rent control remains a profanity to government and the real estate lobby, landlords are having a field day.
A video uploaded on YouTube shows a landlord demanding €600 a month for a run-down property in Bugibba, with two foreign nationals clearly shocked at the condition of the apartment and the lady’s demands.
Despite the broken furniture, cockroach infested fridge, and the two men complaining of “a huge stink,” the landlady demanded €600 a month.
Promising to renovate the property by replacing two doors and the kitchen sink, the lady admits the property “is not modern” otherwise she would demand €800 a month.
The lady is also heard saying that she would be getting an “expert” to redesign the property which she said was previously damaged by Nigerian tenants. She is also heard saying that she owns other properties which are rented out but it is not known whether these properties are registered.
In the video description, the men describe the lady as nice “but greedy.”
The men were clearly unimpressed and said “she advertises the 3 bedroom property in Bugibba for 550 euro and even after we saw the horrible living conditions she asked 600 because we are going to be 3 people there.”
They added that the flat has not been renovated since it was built and “was really dirty and the smell of humidity was everywhere, most of the furniture was broken also we would had to share it with some pests as we found a cockroach inside the fridge.”
The men said that they offered her €300 a month “even though i wouldn’t risk my health to live in there even if it was for free.”
“But I feel really sad for the poor people that will actually rent it. Because the situation in Malta is way beyond bad and someone will take it for sure…
Very sad that 99% of the landlords have this mentality, just to take your money and rip you off. Compassion for the human being doesn’t exist on this island.”