Agency fees — MCCAA · Malta

Direct answer

In most EU countries the agent who works for the landlord cannot charge the tenant a finder's fee, registration fee or "administration costs"; where fees are still allowed they are capped and must be disclosed before you sign. A fee you should not have paid can be reclaimed, usually for years back. MCCAA — Uffiċċju għall-Affarijiet tal-Konsumatur (2395 2000) takes complaints about agents and can fine them; Awtorità tad-Djar — Kirjiet Privati (2299 1000) helps you write the reclaim; Tribunal għal Talbiet Żgħar (justice.gov.mt) decides if the agent refuses.

Call firstMCCAA — Uffiċċju għall-Affarijiet tal-Konsumatur

Report toAwtorità tad-Djar — Kirjiet Privati

If that failsTribunal għal Talbiet Żgħar

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] I paid you [amount] as [fee name] for the tenancy of [address]. Under [rule] an agent acting for the landlord may not charge the tenant this fee. I ask for repayment within 14 days to [account]. Otherwise I will refer the matter to MCCAA — Uffiċċju għall-Affarijiet tal-Konsumatur."

🪜 Step by step

Identify who the agent worked forIf the landlord instructed the agent, the fee is the landlord's cost. The listing and the contract usually say.
Ask for the fee back in writingCite the rule, set a deadline. Many agents repay on the first letter.
Report to MCCAA — Uffiċċju għall-Affarijiet tal-KonsumaturRepeated fees are a practice; authorities fine agents and order refunds.
Dispute body: Tribunal għal Talbiet ŻgħarSmall amounts, no lawyer, and the decision binds a licensed agent.
Deposit and rent-in-advance capsWhile you are at it: deposits and advance rent are capped too, and "key money" is illegal everywhere.

📇 All contacts

MCCAA — Uffiċċju għall-Affarijiet tal-KonsumaturAdvice, mediation, enforcement against tradersWhen the shop refuses📞 2395 2000 🔗 mccaa.org.mt/Section/Content?contentId=1102

Awtorità tad-Djar — Kirjiet PrivatiRental registration, mediation and adjudication on depositsWhen the demand did not work📞 2299 1000 🔗 housingauthority.gov.mt/private-residential-leases

Tribunal għal Talbiet ŻgħarClaims up to €5,000 without a lawyerLast step, with a clear claim🔗 justice.gov.mt/en/justice/Pages/Small-Claims-Tribunal.aspx

Aġenzija għal Għajnuna LegaliFree lawyer below the income thresholdWhen you cannot afford a lawyer📞 2567 4200 🔗 legalaidmalta.gov.mt

❓ Frequently asked

The agent says the fee was for "viewing" or "checks"

Renaming the fee does not change who has to pay it. Any charge to the tenant for finding or arranging the tenancy falls under the ban.

I signed that I agreed to pay it

A clause that contradicts a mandatory law is void. You can still reclaim.

How far back can I claim?

Usually the general limitation period — three to five years in most countries. Awtorità tad-Djar — Kirjiet Privati knows the exact rule for Malta.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“letting agent fee illegal Malta”
“reclaim agency fee tenant”
“rental agency charges tenant fee allowed”
“report letting agent Malta”
“key money illegal”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for Malta

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · MaltaElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Malta, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

🚫 The letting agent charged me a fee — is that allowed, and who checks?