Applications for private properties to be used as social accommodation open

The government, through the Housing Authority, has started receiving applications for the government to be able to rent out properties from the private sector with the intention of “increasing the stock of buildings under its responsibility”. It said that this would allow the authority to rent out the properties in a subsidised manner to those on the social housing waiting list.

“The scheme applies to owners of residences in finished or shell state, and with approved planning permits. Owners of properties that are still on plan but approved by the Planning Authority are also eligible to apply as long as they are passed on to the Housing Authority in a finished state,” read a statement by the parliamentary secretariat for social housing.

It added that if an application greenlighted by a specially appointed board, the agreement with the owner would cover a period of ten years.

Moreover, the parliamentary secretariat said government will be introducing a number of incentives to encourage those interested in applying for the scheme, including, exemptions from tax on earnings from income from rent and a fixed 2% annual increase in rent.

Properties’ condition and plan, the quality of furnishings, the locality in which the property is located, accessibility and energy efficiency will be considered when processing applications.

Application forms, as well as selection criteria can be collected from the Housing Authority at 22, Triq Pietro Floriani, Floriana.