ID card agency Identita’ said Wednesday that property owners who receive mail addressed to individuals who are not residing in their properties should report it to the nearest police station
Identità was referring to what it said were “claims” about mail addressed to foreigners which are being delivered where the recipients do not reside. But these “claims” are coming from property owners who are receiving mail addressed to unknown people at their place of residence and other property they own.
In its statement, Identità said that that there may be various reasons why these incidents occur.
“These include the lessee failing to notify the agency that he has changed his residence, the same lessee failing to notify private companies and service providers who have provided them with their details by changing address, the property owner failing to submit the De-Registration Form, or persons are deceptively and illegally making use of the address.”
Property owners who receive mail addressed to individuals who are not residing in their properties should report it to the nearest police station. If the person using the address is a foreigner, the owner must inform Identità’s Compliance Unit, the agency said.
The owner should download the De-Registration Form from https://identita.gov.mt/expatriates-unit-property-deregistration/, fill in the required details, and submit the necessary documents listed in section 5 of the application.
The completed application can be emailed to [email protected]
While reminding property owners of their legal obligations to register and de-register rentals according to national law, the Agency also emphasises that the De-Registration Form should be used by property owners who rent to foreign residents, after the tenant has vacated the property.
Once Identità is informed by the property owner that the tenant has vacated the property, the Agency reminds the foreign tenant of their obligations to regularise their presence in Malta and to submit the Change of Address form, declaring the new address.
If they fail to do so, their Residence Permit will be revoked. Identità said that as of the 1st of September, 2024, any property lease contract submitted with a residence permit application must be notarised by a Notary, Lawyer, or Legal Procurator. No application will be accepted unless the contract is notarised.
Identità said that all Residence Permit or Document applications, including supporting evidence, will be assessed and validated by various stakeholders. Based on this review, a recommendation will be made on whether the application should be approved or rejected.
Based on that advice, Identità will either issue a Residence Document or a Permit, or reject the application. Identità urged companies and local service providers to verify a client's address using an official Maltese identity document when a service is requested. It reminds private companies and service providers that they have a duty to request verification of the individual's address before they register it in their systems.
This results that this is not always being done. It is the responsibility of each and every Residence Permit or Document holder to inform local providers of any change in their address when requesting a service.
Identità declared that it cannot be held liable when false or fraudulent information is intentionally provided to businesses, entities, or local suppliers.