“In the last two years several promises were made by the current government that a White Paper on rent reform would be finalised. However, this was never done and there is no sign of this White Paper which goes to show what a bad state this government is in,” said Alternattiva Demokratika’s Chairman Dr Harry Vassallo at a press conference held yesterday at AD’s Sliema offices, to discuss the issue of controlled rent laws.

“The Nationalist government continues to dodge this issue, while Labour has not proposed any solution to a problem that has been a blatant injustice for thousands of families for more than 60 years. The White Paper is indeed white, for it is still blank,” said Dr Vassallo. “It seems that the last few parliaments haven’t been able to change a few words in the rent laws in order to stop the situation where some owners arbitrarily carry the weight of social justice while others do not. Besides which, neither of the parties has given an indication of what steps it would take in this regard in the next five years,” he added.

AD believes that since there are at least 53,000 vacant houses it shouldn’t be so hard for the government to come up with an incentive for those who are renting out their properties, especially when it is known that only a small part of the vacant properties are needed to find a complete solution to the advantage of all.

“To date we have a promise of reform which never took place; an initial measure whereby owners who receive about €40 (Lm20) a month in rent are exempted from tax (about 50 cents!); and those who receive a very low rent for property which will remain in someone else’s hands, said Dr Vassallo.

“This is a real slap in the face for those owners of property with controlled rents. No wonder we have so many vacant properties on this island. It is only with AD represented in parliament that one will be able to see a real change with in this regard. Neither of the other parties could reach a just agreement with the owners of these properties,” he said.

According to a recent survey there are at least 17,000 properties with controlled rent laws, among which 4,000 are occupied by people who need financial help, and 3,000 who cannot afford a commercial rent and need a subsidy.

“It is not right that some people have to pay rent as usual, while others are fortunate enough to pay a controlled rent at the expense and the misfortune of the owners. This kind of misfortune hits everyone arbitrarily. There is also a long list of millionaires who live in buildings with controlled rents! It is shameful that the law is protecting these millionaires, as we have huge palaces and buildings also being rented out for as little as Lm100/Lm200!” concluded Dr Vassallo.

AD want to see a law that puts an immediate end to the inheritance of controlled properties.