From Dr R. Zammit LL. D
I write on behalf of the Housing Authority in reply to an article entitled “Housing Authority washes its hands of apartment blocks once they are sold” (TMIS, 17 July).
In his article Noel Grima makes allegations that could be misleading. Fr Grima speaks of council-built apartment blocks in the UK that have become slum areas. This is raising concern, he continues, that this might happen here in Malta.
The situation in Malta can in no way be compared to the situation in the United Kingdom. Council-built apartment blocks in the UK are for rent. The apartment block referred to in the story concerns apartments that have been sold by the Housing Authority to its beneficiaries. As the Family and Social Solidarity Minister rightly pointed out, the authority cannot remain responsible for the maintenance and what takes place in the common areas after all the apartments in a block have been sold – as was the case in the particular block in question. Similar problems may exist even in blocks sold by private developers. In the case of those buying apartments from the Housing Authority, the contract obliges them to form a Residents’ Association in order to deal with the various problems that may arise.
In the case in question, as a first step the Housing Authority had carried out inspections and sent letters to all the residents reminding them of their obligations. Thus, it is clear that, contrary to what is stated in the article, the authority did give its support to the residents who alleged they were suffering from their neighbours’ anti social behaviour.
However, it must be pointed out that after the sale of the apartments, it is the Residents’ Association that is in a better position and has the legal power to make the owners of the flats observe the common rules. The Housing Authority is not intended or equipped to act as a watchdog or caretaker of all the blocks and apartments it has sold to its clients.
There are, however, other appropriate State organs and legal means intended to offer solutions in these type of cases.
Raymond Zammit
VALLETTA