Malta - British Expat Forum

Hi All
I am intending to arrrive in Malta in March 2011 and look for a long let to cover me whilst i look for work

However I dont really want to be back and forth, that would just tease me, so I am planning to book a flight over and a two week stay in hotel (and a flight back just in case).

Q:would two weeks be long enough to locate and sort paperwork and move in? or would i need longer (i have been in contact with several estate agents and got a list of properties i want to look at)

I think i would be gutted if i couldnt sort anything and have to head back to uk and try again later

Its a buyers/renter market - If you have a reasonble idea of which area you want, and your budget is sensible, then you can find a place in 1-2 days of searching. Paperwork can be done in 1 day. As long as the place is ready to be moved into, you could be moved into a place in under a week of arriving.

ps a long let is over 6 months odd

I was in the same situation. I negotiated from Belgium through email and telephone with different estate agents. The one that looks best to us and most professional we made appointments with, to look at several properties.
Once we were there last month to see some properties we've found on websites, we're sorted everything out in 3 days.
Now we've found something in Ghajnsielem on a long let term.

We can't wait to move over there.

Same as Bennylas for us.
We came out last May and viewed properties with two different estate agents.
Had our house rental sorted within 2 days and paperwork (agreeing and signing lease) was done in about an hour. That would have been quicker but the landlord insisted I have a wee whiskey too!

I should point out that our house is still ' to let' on the estate agents website, even though we have signed a 2 year lease.

Just make sure that any properties you find on the web are actually available before you arrive to save wasting time.

What a way to do business Bob! Can I ask about the way the prices go? I am getting conflicting advice from friends. They say the price on the websites are the prices you hope to negotiate down to from the astronomic prices landlords will ask for. I was under the impression you negotiated down from the price the estate agents quoted. Would make a big difference to our budget depending on who is right.

While there is a tempation to sign a lease agreement on the spot, its very important to make sure that the rental agreement includes all the important things, especially if you aren't renting through an agent. There is a thread in the premium lounge covering these

What should a tenant look out for in a lease contract
http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/malta/viewtopic.php?t=9650

As for negotiating rents, the longer you sign an agreement for the more room for negotiation there is. Look a several properties to get a feel for market rents, and if you find a few you like, make an offer on one and see what the landlord says. Its a buyers/renters market - rents are the same or lower than they were 8 years ago !

To be honest boogie we didn't negotiate that much because Suzy wanted the house, other than making sure VAT was included in the rent. With hindsight if I had been a bit more savvy we might have got it slightly cheaper, but maybe not by much.

You have seen our house (and appreciate some others haven't) which is fairly large by Maltese standards. Even the estate agent was surprised that we got "all that for only 700e a month". At that time I thought she was just saying that to encourage us to rent it, but realise now it's true. A friend from Ireland is paying 1400e for a similar sized property in Mellieha, albeit it has a pool.

As first time renters I think we all fall into the mindset that 'we have to find something now' because the clock is ticking so don't haggle like we should.

Having said all that I will be negotiating the rent DOWN when the lease is up, or moving, on the premise that if the property is vacant for more than 2 months the landlord would lose out on even a 100e pm reduction.

Remember that Malta has a surplus of rental properties so no matter what they tell you it is a renter's market and YOU are in the stronger position when negiotiating. Haggling won't cost you anything and may save quite a bit. Don't be scared to ask and be prepared to walk away. They know there are plenty of other properties elsewhere too!

Yep, there's no standard discount to expect - some landlords are very sensible in what they are asking, and you may get little or no discount, other times you could be 50% off. Thats why its important to do your homework, and also get the advice of your estate agent - remember, the agent is working for both parties (as you are each paying 50% of his fees), so should be independent. If you think the agent isn't acting independently, then maybe you should consider another agent.

There are several agents recommended on the "recommended suppliers" forum - can't beat a personal recommendation

True Mark,
The first estate agent we viewed with showed us properties ALL above our budget and seemed more interested in her commission fee.
The second was more helpful and found what we wanted within budget.
She got the commission fee.

Both are on the RS board.

Wow, what a response....Thanks All

I have noticed that some websites have a habit of not taking the adverts down, which was worrying me, but looks like my best way through is premium membership. Judging by the postive and helpful attitude from those such as above I would be on a winner.

No doubt it wont be the last you hear from me until I finally get there...fingers crossed by middle March 2011.

I want to express that even though I am talking to total strangers, (for the moment, hopefully I will get to meet some of you) how much your comments and advice from this site gives confidence to those seeking that reassuring advice, before making; for me, a life changing decision. Thanks Again,

The thing I like about the BE Forum is that there aren't any strangers, just friends you haven't met yet.

Good luck with the house hunting. There's plenty of properties within every budget so I'm sure you will get sorted.

Good luck from me too. I have such a lot longer to wait to come over so I will be learning from you too. Bob is bang on, the people we have met from here have all felt like long lost friends really quickly. Everyone in or been in the same boat so they empathise with all our panics and worries. You will not regret premium membership, it has been such a mine of info for us already. Just make sure you get comfy and open a bottle or have a brew handy, you will be there a while absorbing as much as you can.
We are planning being over for hols the first 2 weeks in April if we can swing it so maybe a get together and a welcome party at the Beach Haven, Bob? I am sure my son must need a bath by now

Hi Bob, I just read your post on renting. I am from the North and hope to retire to Malta in OCT. Is the area you live in nice? Can you rent two bed apt. for 450-500 p.m.? Thanks Manuel from not Barcelona.

I just helped a friend find a flat in Gozo - 3 bed, seaview - 390 pcm - first viewed a week ago, contract signed today