Petition No.: 67 Signatures: 2373
Fourteenth Legislature (2022 - 2026 )
Details - Online
Title
Urgent Action on Noise, Waste, and Misuse of Tourist Rentals in Residential Areas
Date
22-07-2025
Date petition closes for signatures
06-10-2025
Creator of petition
ARNOLD CASSOLA
Grievance
We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens, call upon the Parliament of Malta to urgently address the ongoing disruption and deterioration in quality of life in residential areas caused by unregulated short-term rental activity, waste mismanagement, and public nuisance, especially during late-night hours.
In localities such as Swieqi, St Julian’s, Sliema, Buġibba, Qawra, and Valletta, and increasingly across all tourist-heavy areas of Malta, residents are being forced to endure:
● Frequent midnight and early-morning noise disturbances,
● Improper disposal of rubbish, especially on non-collection days,
● Lack of enforcement against certain short-let operators and visitors disregarding community standards.
In localities such as Swieqi, St Julian’s, Sliema, Buġibba, Qawra, and Valletta, and increasingly across all tourist-heavy areas of Malta, residents are being forced to endure:
● Frequent midnight and early-morning noise disturbances,
● Improper disposal of rubbish, especially on non-collection days,
● Lack of enforcement against certain short-let operators and visitors disregarding community standards.
Wherefore I/we respectfully request the House of Representatives to
We request the Maltese Government to:
1. Introduce on-the-spot fines for guests of tourist accommodations (such as short-term lets) who violate noise regulations and waste disposal rules.
2. Increase enforcement personnel and patrols in residential areas during peak tourism months, especially at night.
3. Introduce a new regulation under the Malta Tourism Authority where verified complaints against a licensed property result in escalating penalties for the owner.
4. Make it a condition of the MTA License that the owner collects a security deposit for every booking to allow them to cover costs arising from fines caused by guest misconduct.
5. Launch an ongoing public campaign informing tourists upon arrival of residential area expectations and legal obligations.This should also be extended to property owners.
1. Introduce on-the-spot fines for guests of tourist accommodations (such as short-term lets) who violate noise regulations and waste disposal rules.
2. Increase enforcement personnel and patrols in residential areas during peak tourism months, especially at night.
3. Introduce a new regulation under the Malta Tourism Authority where verified complaints against a licensed property result in escalating penalties for the owner.
4. Make it a condition of the MTA License that the owner collects a security deposit for every booking to allow them to cover costs arising from fines caused by guest misconduct.
5. Launch an ongoing public campaign informing tourists upon arrival of residential area expectations and legal obligations.This should also be extended to property owners.
Closing remarks
This petition represents a broad concern across Malta and Gozo, but especially from residents in areas most impacted by over-tourism and lack of regulation enforcement.