Developers’ association proposes point system to curb abuse in construction industry

The Malta Developers’ Association yesterday proposed the introduction of a points system to curb abuse in the construction industry, which potentially could result in the removal of licenses, MDA President Sandro Chetcuti said during a meeting with the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Muscat agreed with the proposal, which he likened to same system in place with road users, and said that a consultation on a draft proposal would begin soon.

Chetcuti stressed that a complaints department had been opened up at the union, and that the MDA’s members consistently abided with regulations.

He also proposed the increased protection for residential villages, through a reform of policy introduced by the PN administration in 2006.

“Through this policy terraced houses are becoming five storey flats and villages are being destroyed. We are not interested in the whole country becoming a construction site. People have the right to live in peace and quiet,” Chetcuti said, highlighting the areas of Qrendi, Siggiewi, and Mqabba as localities of importance.

It would be a miss not to note that when he was asked by The Times of Malta about the state of rampant overdevelopment and the effects on residents of the Sliema/St Julian’s/ Gzira area, Chetcuti did not apply the same sentiment saying those localities had already been destroyed.

Property Market White Paper to be finalised soon - Muscat

The principles and direction of the white paper on the property market is due to be finalised, Muscat told the MDA.

Quoting a study that was conducted by KPMG, commissioned in behalf of the MDA, Muscat said it was clear that the increases in price was stable, and any intervention must be studied in order to ensure that there would be no repercussions in the marketplace.

He stressed the importance of understanding the differences between social housing, affordable housing, and the rental market.

With regards to social housing, he insisted that the government had no intention of transferring on the issue to private industry, which he said was evidence by the significant investment in social housing that was announced at the 1 May celebrations.

He also reiterated the government’s commitment to free up social housing that is being used by tenants who do not actually need it.

“We need to come out of the poverty trap that creates a sense of entitlement. We helped these people get an education, have a place to live, and get a proper job. It it time for those properties that are not longer required by the person to go to people who really need it. This is a cardinal principle of social housing.”

When it came to affordable housing, Muscat revealed that while the government had no intention of regulating high-end properties, more needed to be done to safeguard the interests of lower middle class families, who he said are struggling to compete in the market when there are individuals who are able to pay almost double what they are able to.

“There are families who never thought they would need state assistance with the money they earn, however, the increase in prices are creating new social cases, which only places a greater burden on taxpayers,” he said.

Muscat spoke of the importance of balance with the owner and the tenant of the property, stressing that more needed to be done to secure and safeguard both of their rights.

He said that more needed to be done to protect both parties in terms of contacts, saying that tenants should have a sense of certainty, while owners should be able to remove tenants who do not respect the terms of the contract.

Chetcuti agreed, saying that help needed to be provided to those who needed for it, but stressed that the star should help, without giving any shock to the market.

He said that the MDA believed the absolute majority of people were able to purchase property in Malta.