How Should I Screen a Prospective Tenant in Malta?

Tenant screening helps a landlord assess whether an applicant can reasonably afford the rent and is likely to respect the property and rental agreement. Every applicant should be assessed individually using consistent and objective criteria.

Begin by verifying the applicant's identity using a valid identity card or passport. Where relevant, the landlord may also request legitimate residency or immigration documentation required for the tenancy or its registration.

Ask for reasonable evidence of income, such as recent payslips, an employment confirmation letter, bank statements showing regular income or documentation relating to self-employment. Only information necessary for assessing the tenancy should be requested.

Consider whether the rent is affordable when compared with the applicant's regular income and existing commitments. A high salary alone does not guarantee reliability, while a modest income should not automatically result in rejection if the rent remains affordable.

Request references from previous landlords where available. Verify the identity of the person providing the reference and ask factual questions about payment history, property care, communication and whether the tenancy ended appropriately.

Confirm how many people will occupy the property and ensure every adult tenant is correctly identified in the lease. The proposed occupancy must be suitable and lawful for the property.

Explain the rent, deposit, utility arrangements, house rules, maintenance responsibilities and termination conditions before accepting the applicant. Clear expectations reduce the risk of later disputes.

If an applicant has no Maltese rental history, consider alternative evidence such as an overseas reference, employment verification or a guarantor. A lack of local history should not automatically be treated as negative.

Personal information collected during screening must be handled securely, used only for a legitimate purpose and retained no longer than necessary. Decisions should never be based solely on nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability or another protected characteristic.