A new legal notice has introduced fines of up to €10,000 for anyone caught renting property to more than 10 people.
This measure aims to address the issue of overcrowded properties, where foreign workers often pay low rents to sleep in cramped rooms filled with bunk beds.
The legal notice outlines specific limits on the number of occupants allowed based on the size of the apartment.
A one-bedroom apartment can accommodate a maximum of two tenants, while a two-bedroom residence can house up to four people.
A three-bedroom dwelling is limited to six occupants. Larger properties with four or five bedrooms must have two bathrooms, allowing for eight and ten residents, respectively.
These restrictions do not apply to families and will come into effect at the end of October, providing a two-month transition period. Violators of the law face fines ranging from €2,500 to €10,000 and may also face prosecution in court.
The announcement follows Housing Minister Roderick Galdes’ earlier plans for new rental regulations revealed in March. While existing planning rules already cap occupancy at six people per dwelling, they lack enforcement measures.
Overcrowded apartments have been a persistent issue in Malta’s rental market.
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