Momentum: Short-Let Property Owners Must Be Fined For Repeated Tourist Complaints
Momentum has launched a parliamentary petition to demand action to curb late-night noise, waste and disruption to neighbours from tourists rental apartments.
Among the proposals, Momentum is calling for owners of short-let properties to face fines for repeated complaints about their tenants, with mandatory security deposits for all short-term lets.
“Our neighbourhoods in places like Swieqi, St. Julian’s, Sliema, Buġibba and Valletta are becoming unliveable,” Momentum warned.
“Another sleepless night thanks to a tourist party next door along with more trash bags dumped on the pavement. Our peace is being sold off, and we’re getting nothing but chaos in return.”
“That’s why we’re saying: enough. Momentum, led by Arnold Cassola, is launching a national petition to force the government to take back control.”
Momentum issued five proposals to counter the problem of unruly tourists.
1. Start fining rowdy tourists and trash-dumpers on the spot.
2. Get more enforcement on our streets. We need to see them out there, especially late at night when the trouble starts.
3. Hold the property owners accountable. If an apartment is a constant source of complaints, the owner needs to face real penalties that get worse each time.
4. Make security deposits mandatory for all short-term lets. That way, if a guest causes trouble, the money for the fine is already there.
5. Tell tourists what the rules are upon arrival. A real public campaign that makes our laws and the consequences clear.
Cassola said that the proposal to fine property owners for repeated complaints is rooted in the principle that commercial activity carries community responsibility.
“When an owner profits from a short-term rental, they are operating a business within a residential area, and it is their fundamental duty to manage it responsibly,” he said.
“Repeated offences, such as improper waste disposal or noise violations, demonstrate a failure in this duty. It indicates the owner has not effectively communicated local rules or has failed to implement adequate guest management procedures.”
“This approach is not about penalising owners unfairly. By making a security deposit a mandatory condition of the license, owners are provided with clear, legal financial recourse.”
“They can use the deposit to cover the cost of fines incurred due to guest misconduct, placing the ultimate financial liability on the person responsible.”
“Ultimately, this ensures that the responsibility for preventing public nuisance rests with the business operator who benefits financially, striking a necessary balance between the tourism economy and the quality of life for local residents.”
Cassola argued that while tourism is important to the Maltese economy, residents need to be prioritised.
“This isn’t about being anti-tourist; it’s about being pro-resident and stopping the low-quality, ‘anything goes’ attitude that’s wrecking our towns,” he said.
You can access the petition here.