At Arcus Estates, we regularly work with landlords who are surprised to discover that renting property in Malta involves far more than just collecting keys and signing papers. When your tenant is a third-country national (TCNs) or someone applying for residency status, you're entering a world of mandatory compliance checks that can make or break the tenancy.
Getting this wrong doesn't just inconvenience your tenant, it can derail their entire visa or residency application, leaving you with an empty property and lost rental income.
This guide walks you through the three government entities you'll need to coordinate with and explains exactly what documentation they require.
The Three Authorities You'll Work With
1. Identità Malta — Clearing Previous Registrations
Purpose: Ensures no one else is still officially residing at your property
Contact: landlords.identita@gov.mt
Before a new tenant can register, you must verify that former occupants have been properly removed from the system. This applies to previous tenants, former owners, or anyone who once held residency at that address.
What You'll Need:
- Completed deregistration form - Deregistration-of-Address-Form.pdf
- Proof of Housing Authority deregistration (see Step 2)
- Copy of your title deed proving ownership
Special Scenarios: Active ID Cards
If a previous resident was issued a Maltese identity card listing your property as their address, the process gets more involved:
- For residents currently overseas: The physical ID card must be couriered back to Identità Malta along with a signed ID 21 form. The card is then held until that person returns to Malta and updates their details in person.
- For residents who cannot be located: Identità Malta sends an official 30-day notice. If there's no response, the registration is cancelled automatically.
These situations can add weeks to your timeline, so start early.
2. Housing Authority — Database Registration
Purpose: Ensures your property exists in Malta's official housing records
Contact: addonaddress@ha.gov.mt
Every rental property must be registered on the Housing Authority's system. If yours isn't there; whether it's a new build, a recent conversion, or simply an administrative gap, you cannot proceed.
What You'll Need:
- Recent ARMS utility bill showing the property address
- Email request to add the property
Processing typically takes up to four business days. Without this registration, your tenant's application will be immediately rejected by immigration officials.
3. Address Management Unit (AMU) — Formal Address Verification
Purpose: Confirms the exact, official address format
Contact: doornumbering.electoral@gov.mt
This is where many landlords hit unexpected delays. Malta no longer accepts vague building names or block references. Every property needs a precise, gazette-verified address including door and apartment numbers.
The AMU manually cross-references your property against published Government Gazette records. Because there's no automated lookup system, this verification can take up to seven working days.
What Happens If Your Address Needs Updating:
The AMU will provide written confirmation along with the relevant gazette reference. You'll then need to forward this documentation to the Housing Authority (along with your ARMS bill) so their database reflects the correct information.
Leasing Compliance Flow for Landlords in Malta
How Arcus Estates Can Help
At Arcus Estates, we provide expert guidance throughout the compliance process to help our landlords navigate these requirements confidently. We advise you on which documents are needed, which authority to contact at each stage, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that cause delays.
Our team knows the red flags that trigger rejections, the typical processing times to expect, and how to structure your documentation for faster approval. We've guided hundreds of landlords through this system, helping them understand each step before potential issues arise.
Whether you're leasing to a corporate executive, a residency scheme participant, or a long-term foreign tenant, Arcus Estates ensures you have the knowledge and direction needed to meet every regulatory requirement from the start.
Key Takeaways
✓ Start the compliance process before signing any lease agreement
✓ Verify there are no lingering registrations at your property
✓ Confirm your property is listed on the Housing Authority database
✓ Obtain formal address verification from the AMU
✓ Keep copies of all confirmation emails and gazette references
✓ Allow at least 3–4 weeks for the full process
Compliance isn't optional in Malta's rental market. But with proper planning and the right support, it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Need help navigating Malta's property compliance requirements? Contact Arcus Estates today and let our team handle the details while you focus on finding the right tenant.