From Ms M. Micovic

I refer to your leader article entitled “Rent reform – some preliminary point” (TMIS, 27 July). Your comprehensive and excellent article said it all; covered all the aspects of commercial and residential rentals, and also included a suggestion for the provision of a safety net to be considered for those who might face hardship as a result of rent reform.

In the context of commercial leases, I agree with you that the GRTU proposals regarding commercial rentals beggar belief. Not only are they unreasonable and unjust vis-à-vis many long suffering owners; but they also lack credibility. Vince Farrugia GRTU’s Director General has been quoted as saying (and it has been recorded in all the local papers) that: “a survey had been carried out among its (GRTU) members especially developers who number about 250”.

These members/developers are, one assumes, the same people who build apartments, villas, factories and so on, and who are raking in millions and charging rentals in the thousands (aka our construction kings!). Are these the members – owners of commercial properties supposed to afford right of succession, security of tenure and be forced to sell to at discounted prices? Need one say more!!

In conclusion, yes the government should take care of the socially needy but the developer/GRTU members certainly do not belong to this category of tenant. Liberalisation of the commercial rental market should arrive sooner rather than later.

Milica Micovic

Director

obo B. Tagliaferro & Sons Ltd