Public Consultation Launched On Buyer’s Charter To Strengthen Consumer Protection, Transparency

Minister for Housing and Lands Owen Bonnici has launched a public consultation process that will lead to the development of a Buyers’ Charter establishing clear principles, standards and expectations for all residential property transactions.

The Buyers’ Charter is one of the electoral commitments being addressed during the first 100 days of this Government. It reflects a vision that recognises that people’s housing needs may change throughout their lives.

Minister Bonnici said: “When a person buys a property, they are making a decision that can affect their life and their family for many years. We therefore want buyers to know exactly what their rights and responsibilities are, what they should be aware of and what they can do if their rights are not respected.

We are bringing together all stakeholders to develop, through consultation, a Buyers’ Charter that is practical, clear and credible. This is a policy that gives consumers a stronger voice, greater awareness and more power.”

Housing Authority Chief Executive Matthew Zerafa said: “The role of the Housing Authority is not only to provide assistance in the housing sector, but also to contribute towards creating a property market that works better for people.

The Buyers’ Charter provides an opportunity to work together with stakeholders in the sector to establish a common set of principles and expectations that apply to all residential property buyers. Our ambition is for this to serve as a national statement of what good practices in Malta’s property market should involve.”

This initiative will build on the First-Time Buyers Guide introduced by the Housing Authority last year, but will have a much wider scope. It will not only target people purchasing their first home, but all residential property buyers, regardless of their age, stage of life or reason for entering the market.

The Buyers’ Charter will be based on the principles of transparency, awareness of rights and responsibilities, and consumer empowerment. It will include clear information on what buyers can do when their rights are not respected.

The consultation process will bring together key stakeholders in the sector, including developers, property agents, banks, architects, notaries and public authorities, with the aim of creating a single, accessible and practical tool. The Charter will also highlight good practices and challenges that buyers should be aware of before making one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.

Anyone wishing to participate in the public consultation on the Buyers’ Charter can visit https://www.gov.mt/mt/publicconsultation/Pages/2026/NL-0031-2026.aspx and submit their views. The consultation will remain open for two months.

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Photo Source: DOI - Alan Saliba