Renting property in Malta is straightforward. Foreigners, whether moving to Malta for work, retirement, or residency, can rent a property without any restrictions.
Rental prices are quite reasonable and can vary based on factors such as location, property type, quality of furnishings, and the length of the lease. It’s common for properties to be rented furnished, including fittings and appliances. For long-term rentals, utility costs such as water, electricity, internet, and TV are typically not included in the rental price. These expenses are the responsibility of the tenant and are charged based on usage.
Renting in Malta Through an Agent
Renting in Malta through an agent is one of the most popular methods, as it can make the search process faster and more convenient. Agents are familiar with the island, the market, and have access to a wide range of properties. However, don’t expect the process to be entirely hassle-free.
Many estate agent websites are not regularly updated, meaning the properties displayed are often no longer available. Agents tend to upload images of the best properties and leave them online, even after they’ve been taken off the market.
Agents may often overlook your specific requests. After providing them with a budget, preferred area, and desired finish, you might find they ignore your criteria. They’ll try to push you over budget, claiming nothing fits your price range, show you properties far outside your desired location, or even present run-down, mouldy apartments when you’ve asked for something modern. If this happens, simply say, “Sorry, this isn’t what we asked for,” and walk away. There are plenty of good agents out there, so don’t waste your time or money on those who aren’t helpful.
How to Find a Flat in Malta
- You’ll start by reaching out to an agent and providing details like your preferred location, number of bedrooms, budget, and style (modern or more basic).
- The agent will go through their listings and set up viewings for properties they think meet your criteria. Keep in mind that most agents don’t work weekends, so you’ll either need to take a day off work to check out 5-6 flats, or you can try to squeeze in a few during your lunch hour. Some agents do offer evening viewings as well. If you’re searching in a smaller area (like Sliema or St. Julian’s), it’s possible to view 3-4 flats in a single lunch break.
- If you find one you like, always go for a second viewing. Take a closer look at the finish, check it out in daylight (if you first saw it in the evening), and inspect details like water pressure, damp or mould, and whether the air conditioning is sufficient.
- Once you’ve found the right flat, agree on the price and lease terms, and sign the paperwork.
Malta Rental Prices Explained
- Agent Fee: When renting in Malta, you’ll typically need to pay an agent’s fee, which is usually 50% of one month’s rent. This is why agents may encourage you to increase your budget. The fee is split between you and the landlord, with the agency receiving a full month’s rent as their finder’s fee.
- VAT: In addition to the agent’s fee, you’ll also have to pay VAT, which is currently set at 17.5%.
- Security Deposit: The security deposit generally depends on the landlord, but you can have some influence over it. Most landlords ask for one month’s rent as a deposit, which is usually refunded at the end of your lease, minus any deductions for damages (though many landlords tend to keep the deposit for these reasons). Some landlords, especially for more upscale apartments, may ask for a higher deposit, but my advice is to avoid agreeing to more than one month’s rent. Remember, you may never see that money again—while some landlords are legitimate and will return it, you can’t be sure until it’s too late. Consider that deposit as potentially lost money, and avoid giving away more than you can afford.
Agent Recommendations
There are plenty of estate agents on the island, so you’re bound to find one that suits you. Everyone’s experience with agents can be different, but here are my personal recommendations: Perry Real Estate and Belair Malta.
Perry Real Estate: They prefer to handle properties with a rental value over €800 per month. This is because they’re a smaller company, and each job needs to be “worth their time.” However, they have excellent relationships with landlordsand are one of the few agencies that truly listens to clients’ requirements. In multiply cases, they was shown exactly what clients were looking for on the first try. That said, another person had a different experience with the same agent, so it really comes down to personal preference.
Belair Malta: They’re a great option for renters with all kinds of budgets. They’re honest, helpful, and genuinely listen to your needs, doing their best to find you a place that fits.
How to Rent Directaly from a Landlord in Malta
There are a few ways to go about renting directly from a landlord. As a tenant, this can be more affordable since you won’t have to pay agency fees. However, the trade-off is that you may have fewer options, and you’ll need to arrange viewings on your own, which can be quite time-consuming. Fortunately, there are services like Flatscanner and Maltapark that can make the process easier.
Direct Rental Services
Maltapark
Maltapark is a popular online marketplace in Malta where people can find various items, including rental apartments. However, it’s important to note that many of these ads are posted by estate agents, not the actual landlords. Although some listings claim to be “direct from owner,” in practice, the advertisers are almost always agents. In the past, many users have contacted listings for different apartments, and none of the advertisers turned out to be the flat’s actual owner. So, while it may seem like one can avoid an agency fee, they’ll likely still be expected to pay it, as the agent will still want their commission.
Flatscanner
Flatscanner is a promising platform that’s growing in popularity. Although it’s still fairly new (as of January 2015), it’s gaining attention and is expected to expand significantly in the future. It’s an apartment listing site where both landlords and agents can post properties, but each listing clearly indicates whether it’s from a landlord or an agent. If someone prefers to rent directly from the landlord, they can filter their search to show only those properties.
The best part is that Flatscanner is completely free for tenants. If a person selects a flat directly from the landlord, they won’t have to pay any fees. However, if they choose an agent-listed property, they may still be required to pay the usual agency fees (although this is unclear since the agent didn’t actually find the flat for them). Regardless, Flatscanner itself doesn’t charge any fees.
The site is user-friendly, allowing users to filter by location, apartment type, number of bedrooms, and more. While the selection may be limited at the moment, it’s certainly worth checking out. It’s highly recommended as the first place to start a rental search.
