Key facts
- Long lease minimum
- 1 year
- Short lease maximum
- 6 months (specific uses)
- Registration
- Housing Authority, in writing
- Rent increase
- Once a year, max 5% (if in lease)
- Tax option
- 15% of gross rent, final
- Letting after AIP purchase
- Not permitted
Letting in Malta has been governed since 1 January 2020 by the Private Residential Leases Act (Chapter 604). It gives both landlords and tenants clear rules — and it applies whether you are a Maltese owner or an overseas investor with an apartment in an SDA.
Can you let your property?
Start with the basics:
- Maltese and EU owners can generally let their property.
- Property bought under an AIP permit cannot be let to third parties. See the AIP permit.
- Property in a Special Designated Area can be let freely, long or short term. See SDAs.
- Short lets to holidaymakers need a Malta Tourism Authority licence. See short-let licensing.
Long and short leases
| Long lease | Short lease | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | At least 1 year | Up to 6 months |
| Who for | Anyone making it their home | Non-resident workers, students, alternative housing |
| Rent increases | Once a year, max 5%, if the lease provides | — |
Registration
Every residential lease must be in writing and registered with the Housing Authority. The Act originally required registration within 10 days; amendments extend this to 30 days once brought into force by notice in the Government Gazette. Confirm the deadline in force when you sign — an unregistered lease creates problems for both parties.
When the tenant wants to leave
A tenant on a long lease can withdraw early by giving notice:
| Time into the lease | Notice |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | 1 month |
| 2 to 3 years | 2 months |
| More than 3 years | 3 months |
Deposits and inventories
The Act does not set a statutory maximum security deposit. Agree the deposit, what it covers and when it will be returned in the lease, and attach a photographic inventory signed by both parties at check-in.
Tax on the rent
Landlords can choose to pay a final 15% on the gross rent, or declare the net rent at their normal rates. A rebate is available for registered long leases of at least two years under the 15% option. Read rental income tax in Malta for the comparison and a worked example.
A landlord’s checklist
- Confirm the property can legally be let (not an AIP purchase).
- Obtain an Energy Performance Certificate.
- Prepare the property: safe electrics and gas, working appliances, clean air conditioning.
- Agree rent, deposit, inclusions and the rent-review clause.
- Sign a written lease and register it with the Housing Authority.
- Transfer utility accounts or agree how they will be recharged.
- Choose your tax method for the year.
How we help
Our letting team finds and vets tenants, prepares compliant leases, handles registration and keeps overseas owners informed. Relocating families, professionals and residency clients looking for MPRP or GRP qualifying leases are a large part of our client base. Talk to us about letting.
