The MDA makes reference to what is being reported in the media regarding Identita’s statement that as of the 1st of September, 2024, any property lease contract submitted with a residence permit application must be notarised by a Notary, Lawyer, or Legal Procurator. No application will be accepted unless the contract is notarised.
Whilst the MDA clarifies that the process referred to is the one related to the Resident Permit Applications with Identita’ and not the registration of contracts procedure with the Housing Authority as regulated by the Private Residential Leases Act, it is of the firm position that this procedure should be scrapped since it would not be effective in practice.
In this light, the MDA is currently in discussions with the relevant stakeholders and authorities to ensure that whilst abuse including the registration of fake lease agreements are addressed, unnecessary steps which increase costs or add further bureaucracy are not introduced. The MDA is putting forward a number of proposals on how the matter should be tackled.