Malta - British Expat Forum

Hello everybody

I've been looking through your forum and you guys look like the people that just might be able to help me. I have a slight problem, but first I'd have to describe the situation, so I hope you bare with me for a moment or two.

Anyway, I've moved here to Malta about 6 months ago and I have to say, I love it! But I've stumbled across a problem. I've rented an apartment, and I'm very pleased with the rent, the landlord and the apartment as a whole, but must move. You see, I have a small dog and a cat, which have stayed in my native country with my mother until we settle. I had a deal with my mother that she'd keep them for a year until my lease expires and I would be able to find an apartment that would allow pets, because our current one does not. We were very sad to leave them behind for a while, but it was the lesser of two evils, since we didn't know how we'd settle and we didn't want them going through that. So, to return to my point, now my mother is having troubles of her own and decided that she would send us the pets next month. I tried asking the landlord, but he doesn't want pets. Which is perfectly understandable, since we didn't agree on them before signing the lease. I am well aware I will be breaking my contract, so the deposit will stay with the landlord. But this couldn't have come at a worse time, since for now we aren't even sure how we'll afford the move. So, my question is this: Can any of you offer me any advice on finding a flat or maisonette or whatever that would allow pets, but maybe be able to wait for the deposit about one month in already living there. Or allow us to pay half at once and half one month in? We are looking for a two bedroom apartment (maisonette/whatever), since there's three of us (me, my husband and my younger sister will be staying until at least June). So, does anyone know anybody that rents out or maybe can offer me some advice on how to handle this situation? I really hate to leave my current apartment, but sadly I have to

I also wanted to tell you our budget, which is up to 300€ rent. And I also would like to say we both have jobs here in Bugibba (where we'd preferably like to live or close by, because you know how the buses are) so we have a steady income.

Thank you so very much in advance and any kind of advice would be appreciated

Hi Boop, and welcome to the forum

Pets in apartments is a big issue here, which is why many people with pets end up renting houses not apartments. Your best bet is to talk to some estate agents making it clear you want a place that will allow pets - there are some landlords that do. As for the issue re: deposits, again, all I can suggest is talk to estate agents - different landlords have different policies - you might find one prepared to accept a post-dated cheque. You could also look for properties advertised privately, and talk directly to landlords.

Thank you so much for the reply and the warm welcome, I appreciate it Do you have any idea where I could find private ads for apartments maybe? I Googled so much and all I came up with are ads in the paper who are mostly agents too. We're planning to have a walk around today since there's a lot of "To Let" signs hanging about. Good tactics or no? I know it's safer finding an agent, but we have to do the math first to see if we can afford it at all. I'm so sorry for all the questions, but this apartment hunting business is quite new to me here since we only did it once before but we didn't have the pets to worry about

private ads - check out shop windows, ask in small shops, bars, local council - there are tens of thousands of empty properties out there

Local council is a very good idea, I didn't even think of that! Thank you so much

To reassure a prospective landlord you could say that you are happy to have a clause added to your contract stating that you will pay for any damage/cleaning necessary due to your pet. We moved from a house to an apartment here fairly recently and the landlord was so kind and added a clause that we can have one dog (that's all we have) and that we will cover any damage she might do and it also states that she mustn't urinate on the felted roof - no problem as we take her out many times a day for walks and she never goes onto the roof anyway. We reassured our landlord that our dog was well behaved and well trained and he visited us after we'd moved in and was very happy with her - especially as she never, ever barks. You will need to "talk up" your pets' behaviour. Our agent [Edit: recommendation for company removed. Kay] was very very helpful as she knew that we had a dog and talked round quite a few landlords of the various properties we viewed over a couple of months.