Malta Streamlines Property Transfer Conditions with New Lands Authority Scheme

The Lands Authority in Malta has introduced a new scheme to streamline the process for changing or removing conditions on properties transferred from the government, the Lands Authority, or ecclesiastical entities. The new scheme, detailed in Legal Notice No. 196, aims to provide citizens and families with greater clarity and a more efficient process for modifying contracts. Previously, only changes in the number of residences or garages were permitted. The new scheme expands the scope to encompass changes in property use, addressing issues that were previously difficult to resolve. This includes the ability for the Lands Authority to assess the impact of proposed changes on property value, ensuring fair and transparent decisions. The scheme clarifies the process for requesting changes and outlines the fees and penalties associated with different levels of impact. Cases excluded from the scheme include changes to title, census dates, census payment amounts, and census expiry terms. The Lands Authority will not entertain requests for changes or removals of conditions for properties obtained through parliamentary resolutions, tenders, or auctions.