The Nationalist Party will incentivize the renting of property to ensure tenants can benefit from subsidies as well as more affordable properties, in the aim of reducing the burden of expensive property currently reigning in the country, said PN MP Ivan Bartolo.

Addressing a press conference, chief spokesperson for the Nationalist party Peter Agius said that several of the proposals found in the PN electoral manifesto will promote empowerment, where the government will help people living in social housing become owners of their homes. One of which will include the provision of affordable residential housing through new commitments with the private sector.

Persons who benefit from the rent subsidies and do not have an income of over €40,000 a year will receive temporary tapered aid for a period of three years, Agius said.

Income from renting out a property of less than €300 monthly will be exempted from rent tax, said Bartolo.

Income from €301 to €600 will be subject to rent tax of 7.5% whilst that of over €600 will be taxed at 15%. Renting of social housing under a government scheme will be exempted completely of tax, he added.

The PN also appealed for more temporary shelters for the many who have ended up without a roof over their heads, addressing the waiting list for shelter homes.

A scheme of public-private partnership which conforms with the ESG requirements – environmental impact, social obligations, and good governance, was proposed for all developers, so that 500 residential units would be built each year, to address the current waiting list of people trying to find homes, Bartolo said.

Those who benefit from the current rent subsidies will continue to do so. Moreover, a PN government will increase the rent subsidies to 50% for those households with a person with disabilities or invalidity.