Renting in Malta and Gozo: What would a €700 budget get you?

Residential properties on the market for rental purposes have exploded over the years. Unlike other countries and continents, namely America, locals opt to buy their own property rather than rent.

Even so, with the influx of TCNs and individuals seeking Malta for work opportunities, demand and prices have rapidly increased. Some have noted landlords advertising exorbitant prices simply because of the demand, while others react by simply saying that it is business after all.

On the other hand, many slumlords have been caught red-handed for being too greedy, cramming tenants and beds into one apartment for unjust prices and unfair hygiene conditions.

CSB Group, a corporate service provider, estimated that renting a one-bedroom apartment in Malta will cost an average of €833.91 per month. Moving away from central areas would cost around €680 while opting for a two-bedroom apartment can rise to €1000 and €1,300 for a three-bedroom apartment.  

Keeping these figures in mind and in line with today’s market, BusinessNow.mt takes a look at rental properties on Facebook marketplace across different localities in Malta and Gozo.

With a €700 budget per month solely for accommodation, here is what this BusinessNow.mt journalist found while posing as a propsective renter searching for an apartment to rent.

Properties in the Southern Harbour:

Localities in the area: Cospicua, Fgura, Luqa, Żabbar, Kalkara, Marsa, Paola, Santa Luċija, Senglea, Tarxien, Valletta, Vittoriosa, Xgħajra.

For €700 BusinessNow.mt found three properties in Birzebbuġa, Tarxien and Valletta.

In Birżebbuġa, a property for €700 comprised a ground floor maisonette with one bedroom and one bathroom. The price also includes one small yard. In the Facebook post, no mention of utility bills were mentioned.

On the other hand, the property in Tarxien is a studio apartment with a front balcony. The apartment is well-equiped and is spacious. Here the landlord clearly states that the final price does not include bills.

Like any studio, the apartment is based on an open plan. Despite being smaller in nature, the apartment listing and photo does not indicate that the space is crammed.

Prices in prominent areas like Valletta and the three cities were for the most part higher than areas like Fgura and Paola.

Even so, there were options on the table of apartments within budget. At a slightly higher cost of €750 a month, a Facebook post on Marketplace advertised a studio apartment in the heart of Valletta.

The apartment is simple in nature with carpet flooring, one double bed, a very narrow bathroom and space for a desk that can also be used as a dining table. Pictures show that the bathroom does not have a toilet and a shower in the same space.

Notably, the apartment was listed as “ideal for a bachelor.”

Ordinary one bedroom apartments in Valletta and the three cities could be found at higher prices ranging from €900 to €1,200 per month. Alternative options within the same budget included renting a room with its own bathroom.

Southeastern:

Localities in the area: Birżebbuġa, Gudja, Għaxaq, Kirkop, Safi, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mqabba, Qrendi, Żejtun, Żurrieq.

In general, rental property in these localities was cheaper than those in more central and busy areas found in the Northern Harbour. In addition, for €700, rentals in these areas were better value for money in terms of property size, recreational areas and number of bedrooms,

For instance, in Qrendi, a tenant advertised a house of character for €650. Despite having one bedroom, €35 euros of the rent covered a percentage of the bills.

Nearby, in Żurrieq, a large studio apartment within the budget was advertised to also include a yard, the use of the roof and field views.

This studio included various Maltese characteristics within the residence, including a shrine and a statue for anyone who is religious and needs some serene time to unwind in the space.

€700 in Birzebbuġa would also get you a two-bedroom apartment with a front balcony and the use of the roof, with one of the rooms including a bunk bed, making space for more people.

Northern Harbour:

Localities in the area: Birkirkara, Gżira, Qormi, Ħamrun, Msida, Pembroke, San Ġwann. Santa Venera, St Julian’s, Swieqi, Ta’ Xbiex, Pietà, Sliema.

This is one of the most prominent and highly populated areas in Malta. It houses many offices and businesses and so, residing in one of these localities is more practical for workers who travel by public transport.

Starting off with Sliema, one listing included various types of properties that come at different prices.

Despite being highly sought after and having high prices when compared to other localities, this listing included a studio apartment with a single bed, bathroom and small kitchenette at the price of €700.

Unlike other listings encountered so far, this also included internet, water and electricity bills. A double bedroom within the same listing bumped the price up to €900.

Nearby, in Pietà, one room with its own bathroom, air conditioning and bills that cover internet, water, electricity and gas would cost €650.

At similar prices, the same was found in Msida, where €640 would get you a private room with its own bathroom. The listing was advertised as being close to restaurants, coffee shops and supermarkets, explaining the reasoning behind the price.

Both apartments and rooms were available within the budget in Birkirkara. A studio maisonette in Birkirkara was advertised as being less than one minute away from McDonald’s and seven minutes walking distance from Evolution Gaming, seemingly trying to entice individuals working within the gaming industry.

Western and Northern:

Localities in the area: Dingli, Balzan, Lija, Attard, Żebbuġ, Iklin, Mdina, Mtarfa, Rabat, Siġġiewi.

Prices in the western localities were on par with the Northern Harbour with many advertising rooms within the budget at hand.

A rental in Attard was advertised as having rooms available with private bathrooms. The apartment, shared by two other people would also require a €600 deposit, €50 in addition every month and €300 and VAT in agency fees.

On the other hand, in Mellieha a more affordable rental could be found at €650. The listing, a ground-floor studio maisonette, a few minutes away from the beach, included one double bedroom and bathroom with a living area and a small front garden.

Similar to apartments in the southern harbour localities, a Żebbuġ studio penthouse within the budget is ideal for one person, with big terraces and “nice views.”

In both instances, there was no mention of the bills being included in the price.  

Gozo and Comino:

Localities in the area: Fontana, Għajnsielem and Comino, Għarb, Għasri, Munxar, Nadur, Qala, San Lawrenz, Kerċem, Sannat, Victoria, Xagħra, Xewkija, Żebbuġ.

Despite the similar price range in Gozo, like the southeastern localities, €700 offers more options on the table.

At €650 euros, a rental property in Victoria – the centre of Gozo – would get you two bedrooms, one bathroom an open plan kitchen, dining and living room and an overall well-spaced apartment.

Similarly, the same was noted in a modern retro-style apartment in Nadur and Xagħra among others.  

In general, in Gozo a price range of €600 – €700 would at least get you a two-bedroom property. However, just like Malta, price and options differ from one locality to the other with luxurious apartments exceeding €1,000 also being available in multiple localities.