Malta - British Expat Forum

Hi

I have been reading a number of posts on this forum.

I have a few questions below:-

1) Utilities - I understand that residential tariff is the way forward and requesting the landlord to transfer them in my name is a must.
2) Agents - Are there managed properties in Malta, which tenants only liase with the agents throughout the term of the tenancy, thus avoiding the landlord completely and the hassles
3) Deposit - Incase of disputes over deposit , what can one do as a last resort?
4) What is an average utilities bill for a couple with an infant, this includes airconditioning/water etc?
5) What is a monthly internet bill

Thanks

1. correct, but landlord may refuse
2. yes, but its not common
3. last resort - go to court, but that would take ages - normally estate agent acts in the middle in disputes
4. depends on so many factors, but prob € 1,000-2,000 per annum - I'd assume about the same as you are paying in the UK
5. depends on the service - in the range of € 13-50 per month

Thanks a mill

i suppose plenty of empty appts to loook out for. but definately not relying on the landlord for utilities .thnks to this forum.

so is it ok to budget for 150 a month for all utilities on top of rent? any thing else i need to account for??

if you leave aircon on 24/7 in the summer, and electric fires in the winter, you could easily exceed that - it depends on (obviously) how much you use, but that budget should be fine, esp if you don't have a pool

good news - no council tax

if you assume you will spend between 80 and 100% of what you spend in the UK, that would cover most people

A landlord will not normally allow a tenant to have the utility bills in his/her, because this could entail a fee of hundreds of euros.

If a landlord agrees, then there is a form available from the ARMS office, which is filled in by both landlord and tenant.

The account stays in the name of the landlord, but the landlord names the tenant(s) as the resident(s) of the property. On the form the Landlord has to state his ID details, and the tenant(s) have to state names and ID/Passport numbers and sign. Copy of the ID card/passport have to be provided by the tenant(s), the landlord must provide a photocopy of his/her ID too. (they no longer photocopy at the office).

Red

Red wrote:A landlord will not normally allow a tenant to have the utility bills in his/her, because this could entail a fee of hundreds of euros.

Indeed - I believe thats true if non-EU tenant or non-resident tenant as need to leave a deposit

No, what I said is true, our landlord was worried that my parents wanted the utilities in their names, until they explained through the estate agent, and it was he who told us that he (the estate agent) got his own landlord to transfer the bill to his name but he had to pay the fee of €600 (he said).

Any person can go the the ARMS office and request Form A CC 501/11 1x 2 12/10, then before actually signing a lease they can produce this form and ask the question or even make it a condition as my parents did.

My parents had the following stated in their lease:-

All utility bills during the term of the lease shall be paid by the Lessees but shall be issued to the Lessors account, naming the Lessees as residents (Form A CC
501/11 1x 2 12/10), thereby allowing the lessees to claim residents rates for said utilities.

Red

here we go - this is quite new

https://www.smartutilities.com.mt/wps/wcm/connect/e883568043d12a1dbd76bd619660d3c8/5275+ARMS+APPLICATION+FOR+CHANGE+OF+CONSUMER.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

its €466 - its a deposit rather than a fee, and its the tenant who has to pay the deposit, not the landlord, so the landlord shouldn't really care whether transferred into tenants name or kept in landlords name with tenants name added

What is the advantage of paying €466 when a tenant might wish to move to a better/another property in 12 months?
When it is FREE if is is done the way I described using Form ACC 501/11 1x 2 12/10

Red

Thank you guys.
@ Gozomark - the form above if i produce this at the time of the tenancy to the agents will they facilitate transfering or do i have to go and submit these by myself. Deposit of 466 euros is not an issue and makes sense for tenants to pay vs landlords and i agree with your rationale .

Only worry i have is, i read a post somewhere that a resident has to prove that they are tax payer, is this still applicable? Also the ARMS form will allow all utlities to be transferred? ie electricity and water?

What the ACC form you describe ? Can you provide a link?

Mark you are quoting Form A CC 505/14 1x4 12/10

This is not the same one which we used, which was Form ACC
501/11 1x 2 12/10, which has to be obtained from the ARMS office. No link.

Red

chursy wrote: Only worry i have is, i read a post somewhere that a resident has to prove that they are tax payer, is this still applicable?

not tax payer, but tax registered (ie your income might be less than tax free allowances) - its all part of being a resident - you need

ID card
residency certificate
tax number

chursy wrote:Also the ARMS form will allow all utlities to be transferred? ie electricity and water?

- yes

Red wrote:What is the advantage of paying €466 when a tenant might wish to move to a better/another property in 12 months? When it is FREE if is is done the way I described using Form ACC 501/11 1x 2 12/10 Red

1. the deposit would be transferrable to the new property
2. agree - your way is better, as long a landlord agrees to it, but your way the landlord is liable if a tenant does a runner, whereas the other way there is a deposit held at ARMS to cover (some of) this