A Long Private Residential Lease cannot have a duration of less than one (1) year.

Explanation of a one-year lease contract

• The first six months are mandatory for the lessee;
• Following the obligatory six months, the lessee may be released from the contract by giving at least one (1) month notice to the lessor by means of a registered letter;
• If the lessor does not intend to renew the lease, the lessee must be informed three (3) months prior to the termination of the contract by means of a registered letter;
• If the lessor fails to notify the lessee within the established period, the lease is renewed automatically for a year.

The minimum obligatory duration is one year; however, the lessor and the lessee may agree on a longer lease contract.

Explanation of a two-year lease contract

• The first nine months (9) are mandatory for the lessee;
• Following the obligatory nine months, the lessee may be released from the contract by giving at least two (2) months’ notice to the lessor by means of a registered letter;
• If the lessor does not intend to renew the lease, the lessee must be informed three (3) months prior to the termination of the contract by means of a registered letter;
• If the lessor fails to notify the lessee within the established period, the lease is renewed automatically for a year.

Explanation of a contract for three years or longer

• The first twelve months (12) are mandatory for the lessee;
• Following the obligatory twelve months, the lessee may be released from the contract by giving at least three (3) months’ notice to the lessor by means of a registered letter;
• If the lessor does not intend to renew the lease, the lessee must be informed three (3) months prior to the termination of the contract by means of a registered letter;
• If the lessor fails to notify the lessee within the established period, the lease is renewed automatically for a year.

Visual: The Long-Let contract explained

Short-Let contracts  apply only for:

• Temporary foreign workers who are employed for six months or less;
• Students pursuing short courses of less than six months’ duration;
• Foreign lessees who would not be seeking to establish ordinary residency in Malta;
• Residents who need to lease an ordinary residency for a short period of less than six months.

Explanation of Short-Let Contracts

• The lease duration is six months;
• The first month of the lease is obligatory for the lessee;
• Following the obligatory month, the lessee may be released from the contract but is obliged to give at least one week’s prior notice to the lessor by means of a registered letter;
• The contract cannot be renewed.

Visual: The Short-Let contract explained

Shared Residential Space

Lease of a shared residential space means the lease of a separate space in an apartment or building, with shared amenities like the kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Explanation of a shared residential space lease

• The lease duration is six months;
• The lessee may be released from the contract at any time by giving one week’s prior notice to the lessor by means of a registered letter;
• The contract cannot be renewed.

Visual: The Shared Residential Space Contract Explained