My husband has recently relocated to Malta (I will join him shortly), and other than the horribly difficult part of securing housing, he has found Malta to be a lovely and welcoming place.
Now onto to the actual subject of my post......
I have in front of me a Letting Agreement drafted out by a prospective Landlord. It stipulates under 'rent':
i. In consideration of the rights granted by the Lessie by virtue of this deed the Lessee shall pay the Lessor, without demand, deduction or set off, a rent of Euro________ per month and this excluding VAT or any other taxes which may be imposed. The said rent shall be payable in advance every month.
ii. The parties agree that if VAT or any other tax, levy or other imposition, which is or may become hereafter payable to the competent authorities, in connection to rent payable or paid in virtue by this lease agreement , then such additional charge shall be payable by the Lessee in addition to the rent agreed.
iii. The Lessee agrees to pay the Lessor euros 200 per annum to cover the common area expenses. These expenses cover lift and rental related services cleaning and lighting of the common areas. This amount should be paid on signing of this agreement or as agreed by both parties.
iv. Upon signing of this Deed, a security deposit of Euro________ shall be paid by the Lessee to the Lessor. Such sum will be forfeited in favor of the Lessor in the event of any damages done to the premises, furniture or anything contained therein, or any other expense related to the premises, including any breach of the conditions contained in this Deed. Such deposit shall be refunded in part or in full to the Lessee after the premises have been returned to the Lessor, an allowance being made for ordinary wear and tear during the period of the lease, and after all payments due to the lesser would have been settled including payments with regards to electricity, water, gas, cable television, Internet, telephone bills and other bills due. Forfeiture of the security deposit for any valid reason in terms of Law or in terms of this Deed shall be without prejudice to all legal rights in favor of the Lessor for the recovery of arrears of ground rent or damages exceeding the amount of the deposit, including court proceedings.
My question is.......... Is this contract legal? Having lived abroad for so many years, I understand that rental law varies from country to country and am also a Landlord in my own right, so am not completely ignorant to the quirks....but...... I find it very odd that Landlords here are findind it acceptable to charge VAT, Communal Expenses and Tax. In Italy these costs are borne by the Landlord, not the tenant.
Any info provided is highly appreciated