Key facts
- Public Registry
- Records deeds by the names of the parties
- Land Registry
- Registers title to property in designated areas
- Who searches
- Your notary
- Finds
- Ownership, hypothecs, privileges, burdens
Malta has two registers that matter when you buy:
- The Public Registry records public deeds — sales, loans, hypothecs — by the names of the people and companies involved. Searches are made against names, not against a property.
- The Land Registry registers title to land, by property, but only within designated registration areas, which cover part of the islands.
What your notary does
Your notary searches both, as applicable, to confirm that:
- the seller owns the property and can sell it;
- there are no hypothecs, privileges or other burdens — for example loans secured on the property;
- any ground rent is identified (see ground rent);
- the property description matches the deeds.
The notary may then prepare a title report before the final deed.
Why it takes time
Because the Public Registry is searched by name, tracing an older property’s history through successive owners takes time. That is one reason the promise of sale usually allows a few months before the deed.
