Dear Landlord, Could You Change My Light Bulb

By Denise Rejec

“So, I’m sitting comfortably on the sofa reading a book, when suddenly I’m in the dark! Just this time, it’s not a power cut – the light bulb of my reading lamp has given up. What should I do… Should I call my landlord?”

As a renter, you’ve probably had a few dilemmas as to when to call your landlord, and you might have encountered the same light-bulb situation as mentioned above. In such situations, you could refer to your lease agreement that should stipulate what is covered by your landlord and what is borne by the tenant. This is further explained in the interesting post outlining the rental procedure. But some things might not be so black and white.

Let’s get to answering the burning question: When should you call your landlord?

VITAL AND COMPLEX REPAIRS

You should keep your landlord in the loop if:

  • Any appliances malfunction or stop working
  • The water heater leaks rusty water
  • The air conditioner quits on you (provided you haven’t forgotten how to use the remote control or you’ve already checked that the wall switch connected to it is on)
  • A toilet or drain gets blocked
  • You happen to face the dreaded circumstances of a plumber’s shoddy work such as a wet patch in the wall caused by a leaking pipe!

FLOOD

It doesn’t happen very often, but let’s say the washing machine or dishwasher goes faulty, resulting in a flood. Your landlord won’t be happy with the news of course. Flooding causes great damage to parquet and laminate flooring, and even in the case of the more common tiled floors, water can seep through the grouting and cause long-term mold and humidity problems. So it’s imperative that your landlord is informed sooner rather than later.

MOLD

It’s hard to ignore the fact that it gets very humid in Malta, especially with all the complaints you hear about this from locals and foreigners alike. Consequentially, with this weather element being as it is, some lease agreements might include a waiver declaring the potential for mold. This almost invisible fungus is usually found in the form of spots on doors, cupboards, and the more visible whitish patches on clothing that hasn’t been left to air before being put back in the wardrobe. You needn’t bring such finds to your landlord’s attention. However, a damp wall in the basement turning into a fungus garden is a different and urgent matter altogether!

INFESTATION

It is your right to live in a place that is habitable, so if your rental property becomes invaded by hordes of cockroaches or rodents, your landlord must address this infestation in a timely manner.

BREAK-IN

In the case of a break-in, it is the norm that the owner will cover damages made to any apertures during the incident. But the landlord is not responsible for stolen personal belongings and items that aren’t listed in the inventory attached to the lease agreement.  

FIRE

In Malta, one usually hears of havoc caused by fireworks factories, but in the rare case of a fire at your rental home, a call to the fire department should be followed by one to your landlord.

We hope to have enlightened you with the sort of cases your landlord would be ‘happy’ or perhaps rather unhappy to hear about. Don’t call them to come change a light bulb or fuse, tighten a loose bolt, oil a squeaky hinge, or when spots from condensation from hot food show up on the kitchen cupboards or the lamp above the dinner table. Even if you have a heated argument with your neighbour, your landlord needn’t know (unless the neighbour informs them first). Remember: Be in touch when there’s a valid need and try to call at a decent hour. Last but not least: Good communication is key.

Ultimate Guide: How To Find Your Perfect Rental Home

By Denise Rejec

Home hunting isn’t reserved solely for the homebuyer. With the large number of people looking to rent property in Malta, the rental market is rather busy, with lots of property types available to the renter. It is advisable to get cracking with your search from the moment you begin to think of relocating, especially if you want to secure your most desired temporary home.

If you’re beginning the hunt from overseas, talk to people who’ve already made the move and search the internet for tips on relocating to Malta. If you’re already in Malta, get cracking on your legwork by walking around the towns and villages that interest you to get an idea of where you might want to live. Then start the hunt for your dream rental home with these easy tips.

GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

We all tend to get carried away by the look of that fancy walk-in shower or white leather sofa, but what’s most important at this stage is to establish your budget and prioritise your needs. Consider the practicalities like the size of the property you require, location, and so on.

START EARLY AND SEARCH OFTEN

Begin searching as soon as you’re aware that you need to move to improve your chances of finding your perfect (or near-perfect) rental home. Places rent within minutes in Malta, so you’ll also need to search often.

BE PREPARED

Renting is a rather speedy process, so it pays to be prepared when your dream abode comes along. It’s wise to leave a deposit to secure your place once you’ve set your heart on something. You must also be prepared to be disappointed should a property you choose be gone by the time you decide on it – demand for rentals in Malta is really high, so if you like it take it. But remember: If you’re using an estate agent, don’t let them pressure you into going for a place you don’t want to live in. Keep looking till you find what’s right for you – you have endless rental options.

CONSIDER A PROFESSIONAL

If you can’t spare the time or energy to locate your home, consider hiring an agent to help you. This route may involve fees, but it could ease the process and cause less stress. Your agent will be able to point out the properties that are most suited to your needs and guide you through the rental process.

TO THE POINT

Be specific about what you’re looking for, and ask your agent to send you a list of potential rentals with details and photos based on your requirements.

THE DETECTIVE IN YOU

You could talk to the current tenants and/or potential neighbours to find out about how accessible or approachable your potential landlord is. Once you get chatting, extract more helpful information from them: What’s the neighbourhood like? Does the couple next door like to throw loud parties? If you’re renting an apartment: Are the common areas quiet and well-kept? Here’s when you can let the detective in you surface.

NARROW YOUR SEARCH

Visualise your home and list what matters most to you, then use this list during your search – either online or when consulting your agent. You’ll probably have more specific requirements like parking space, number of rooms needed, duration of stay, furnished or unfurnished, and so on. The RB Malta website will help you narrow down your search. When checking our list of available properties, click on the ‘Filters’ tab in the upper left corner of the map and select your requirements from the comprehensive list of categories that are available for your use.

FINALLY: FOLLOW YOUR GUT

Once you think you’ve found your ideal home, take a deep breath and a step back… Are there any alarm bells going off inside your head? If you have any concerns, get an outsider’s perspective as this will often provide clarity.

Enjoy your search, and we wish you all the success in finding your perfect rental home!

The Jay Jay Properties team.

 

Getting the most out of your property

Effortless home renovations could go a long way, and increase the value of your property. In the way, you are able to put up the rental price too! Also, the modernization of your property will, in all likelihood rent out quicker.

Changing stained or untidy carpets will give your property a clean and crisp look. Using neutral colours appeals to a wide range of people. Another idea would be laying parquet. This is a guaranteed upgrade which is liked by everyone.

New bathroom taps and mixers will give your bathroom that glint and sparkle we all love. Get rid of old, rusty and leaking taps to give your property a brand new feel.

Kitchen cupboards and draws need to be replaced or painted after some time. Once again neutral colours are preferred by most. Along the years, handles become worn out. Replace with some modern up-to-date new ones, to give your kitchen a fresh look.

Changing lights in your property is easily done. Change all light fixtures to mirror the general characteristics of your property.

Creating more storage space will definitely appeal to prospective tenants. One such example is to add cupboard space. Including basket type shelves are very popular in kitchens and wardrobes. They are extremely accessible.

Constructing an open plan in your property is remodeling at its best. This will give your property the facelift it needs and give you a higher return! All of us crave the home where cooking and be it watching the kids play or socializing with friends or family can be done at the same time.

Painting will make your property look brand new once again. Having freshly painted white walls gives a welcoming, clean feeling, which is again enjoyed by everyone.

These home improvements will surely increase value. Contact us at Rbmalta.com to advertise your property on our site and get it rented!

Helping Landlords Offering Real Estate In Malta

The foundation of renting out your real estate faster, is having exceptional photos to showcase your property in the best possible way. Either take the photos yourself or get in touch with our professional team to have to photos taken.

Rbmalta.com is a brand new company with a cutting edge site, overflowing with both commercial and residential real estate all over Malta, which is enriched with historical architecture and breathtaking beaches. We are fresh, keen with a modern, polished view on the rental market today. We strive in only displaying available real estate on our site.

Give us a call, and set up a meeting with one of our skilled agents who will bring you up to speed on all essential terms. Example the valuing and pricing of your real estate, suggestions to offer cheap remedies to increase the market price, inspections and legal aspects.

We then advertise your rental real estate in Malta by uploading it onto our website which has the newest technology to assure the rental of your real estate. This will bring about prospective tenants, and one of our team will contact you to set up viewings. Having more than one set of keys will make things easier for you!

Second viewings usually mean patron is very interested. At this time an offer is submitted to you. It is important to know your client before signing the contract. Once you give the go ahead, you will be given one month’s deposit to remove real estate from the market.

Signing the contract is the next step! This is usually done at the property itself. Contracts are pretty straightforward. An inventory must be given to the client along with the contract.

Moving in. The keys are now given to the tenant. He will be required to pay one month’s rent, utilities (Approx. 100 Euro) and agency fees which are 50% of one month’s rent plus 18% VAT. Readings of water and electricity meters should be taken and a copy of an updated bill should be shown to the clients. In case of a very long stay, some landlords prefer to change the billing name.

Do not hesitate to contact the Rbmalta letting team right away so that your real estate will get rented without delay!

All you need to know about renting a property in Malta.

Renting

The Renting Procedure. – For the Renter.

Finding your new home to rent, should be fun and exciting. We are committed to making this transition easy and hassle free. Contact one of our esteemed agents to guide you through the renting process in Malta, give you a distinct and precise service which will definitely benefit you, and give you all the info. needed in helping you rent your perfect new home in Malta!

 

A: Narrow down a list of favourites. The coastal towns of Sliema, St. Julian’s and surrounding areas are the most popular. This is due to the prestigious Sliema Promenade and the bustling surroundings of Sliema which are full of retail shops, cafes and restaurants. The trendy Ballutta and picturesque Spinola Bays are what make St. Julians so popular today. Make sure to include specific needs, wants and favoured towns or villages. Taking into consideration your monthly budget and duration of stay is equally important. To make things easier do not hesitate to contact our real estate agent who will point you in the right direction when looking to rent a property in Malta.

B: Find the expert. Once you have made up your mind on a few selective rental properties, contact us and one of our team will set up an appointment at your convenience.

Some important points one has to take into consideration when renting a property in Malta:

Envisage your Malta rental property and surroundings at all times of the day. One should also emphasize on specific and personal interests such as University, Hospital, retail outlets, restaurants, beaches and other things you like to do in your free time.

Specific terms of the Maltese landlord. (this includes authorization of pets, how and when to pay bill and rent due.

Also if you pay your deposit and the rental deal falls through, for valid reasons you will be refunded. However if you decide to leave your rental home prematurally you will most likely forfeit your deposit. (Remember that you rented your Malta home at that price, due the duration of stay and terms and conditions of the contract.)

C: Making an offer is the next step. First things first, contact your agent who will acknowledge your rental offer and submit to landlord on your behalf. As a rule landlords reply pretty quick. At this stage, one months rent, as a deposit is required to remove property off the Maltese rental market.

D: Signing the contract is usually done at the property itself. Don’t feel anxious, your agent will give you re-assurance and any assistance you may need. Contract is direct. Your signature is compulsory on each page of the rental contract. You will be given an original copy and inventory. You are now ready to move into your new Maltese home!

E: Buy the tickets. On the set date agreed when signing the contract you can move in! At this time you are required to pay:

  • One month’s rent,
  •  Utilities (approx 100 euro)
  • Agency fees which are 50% of one month’s rent plus 18% VAT.

You will be given the keys of the rented property. Keep an eye out for any spoilage of the property that may have gone unnoticed. As per your contract you have five days to let the landlord know. Our agents are trained and will give you a helping hand with info. needed on our beautiful Island of Malta.

We at rbmalta.com hope you enjoy exploring our database which is full of available properties for rent in Malta.

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