Renting in Malta is frustrating
Finding a long-term rental in Malta can be exhausting. Unanswered calls, ghosted messages, outdated ‘apartments for rent’ that have already been taken - all those small frustrations make an already hectic rental market even worse. For some, it even feels safer to overpay for popular housing complexes, like Campus Hub just to feel settled for once and get it off their mind.
Somehow, we have made something that should be simple - unnecessarily complicated.
Let’s break down how renting long-term in Malta really works.
What “long term” means in Malta
In Malta, a long-term rental usually means a lease that lasts between six to twelve months - although contracts can legally go up to two or three years. Anything shorter than six months is considered a short let, typically used by foreign workers, students, or residents who need temporary accommodation. Most long-term rental contracts are renewed yearly, and both landlords and tenants the specific rules set by the Maltese Housing Authority:
“For private residential leases, the tenant cannot withdraw from the contract before the lapse of the minimum period (‘di fermo’) as established by law.
For one-year contracts, the lessee may not withdraw before six months. Following this period, the lessee may be released from the contract by giving at least one month’s notice.
For two-year contracts, not before nine months — then by giving at least two months’ notice.
For three-year or longer contracts, not before twelve months — then by giving at least three months’ notice.”
—
Housing Authority Malta, The Rental Contract
In short: if you sign a 12-month contract, you can only end it after six months, with a one-month written notice.
’I’ve rented my apartment for a year, but I’ve only lived here for three months and want to leave — what can I do?’
Unfortunately, if you decide to leave before the six-months mark, your contract still stands. You are legally obligated to pay rent until the end of that period.
The good news is some landlords might agree to let you go early if you find someone to take over your lease, but it is not guaranteed. Others may still ask for the remaining rent or simply keep your deposit.
So, how to actually find a long-term rental in Malta?
If you have ever looked for a place, you already know that renting in Malta is not easy as it sounds and we wanted to provide you a little rent guide in Malta.
Here are the main ways people search for apartments and houses to rent:
1. Real estate agencies
This is the most common route.
In Malta, most landlords go through agencies, which means nearly every listing passes through a middleman. This way seems attractive for landlords as someone else handles paperwork, communication and viewings (although most of the landlords prefer to be on them anyway).
However, the help of the middleman comes at a cost. Usually both the tenant and the landlord pay 50% of the first month’s rent + 18% VAT.
What does it mean for a tenant?
Your first month of rent often equals 150% of your normal rent + 18% VAT.
That doesn’t really makes sense for the landlord either, does it?
2. Facebook groups
Every expat has joined at least five of them. They are full of listings - some are real, some fake, some duplicated, some already rented months ago. It is not impossible to find occasional gems, however, the whole environment is a little… hectic. And if you think these are private landlords posting most are still agents. You’ll often see ghost listings — vague ads with no photos or outdated information, designed just to get you to message the agent so they can offer you something else.
3. Direct-from-owner platforms
Malta still lacks transparent marketplaces where landlord can list their properties directly and tenants can browse verified rentals without worrying about scams or agent commissions. The market is dominated by agencies, leaving little room for genuine direct from owner rentals — even though that’s what many tenants actually prefer.
If you want to support our rental market check us out - Letify.mt
