There is mould or damp in my rental — who do I report it to?

Direct answer

Mould is a health matter as well as a repair. Report it to the landlord in writing with photos and ask for the cause to be found — a leak, missing insulation, no ventilation — not just for the wall to be repainted. If nothing happens, Awtorità tad-Djar — Kirjiet Privati (2299 1000) decides rent reduction and orders repairs; Direttorat għas-Saħħa Ambjentali / Awtorità tad-Djar (2133 7333) can inspect and declare the home unfit for habitation, which forces the landlord's hand. MCCAA — parir (2395 2000) advises on what you can deduct and how much rent you can withhold.

Call firstAwtorità tad-Djar — Kirjiet Privati

Report toDirettorat għas-Saħħa Ambjentali / Awtorità tad-Djar

If that failsMCCAA — parir

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] there is mould in the [room] at [address], photos attached. It affects our health [symptoms if any]. Please have the cause investigated and repaired by [deadline]. Until then I reduce the rent by [%] from [date]."

🪜 Step by step

Photograph and date itWide shots and close-ups, a ruler for scale, the humidity reading if you have a cheap meter. Repeat weekly.
Ventilate and heatDocument that you do — landlords blame "lifestyle" first. Airing twice a day and heating to 18–20 °C removes that argument.
Report in writingAsk for the cause to be found. A repaint without fixing the cause is not a repair.
Inspection: Direttorat għas-Saħħa Ambjentali / Awtorità tad-DjarThe municipal or environmental health inspection visits, measures, and can order works or declare the home unfit.
Tenancy body: Awtorità tad-Djar — Kirjiet PrivatiRent reduction backdated to the report, and an order to repair.

📇 All contacts

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

Direttorat għas-Saħħa Ambjentali / Awtorità tad-DjarUnfit housing, mould, pests, noiseWhen health is at risk at home📞 2133 7333 🔗 deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/environmental/Pages/home.aspx

MCCAA — parirFree advice on tenant rights, template lettersBefore you write, on deductions and deadlines📞 2395 2000 🔗 mccaa.org.mt

Kunsill Lokali / LESANuisances, roads, waste, lost propertyFor anything the council handles📞 2200 2300 🔗 localgovernment.gov.mt

❓ Frequently asked

Is mould really the landlord's problem?

Mould caused by the building (cold bridges, leaks, broken ventilation) is. Mould caused only by never ventilating is the tenant's. The inspection decides which.

Can I leave without notice?

If the home is unfit for habitation and the landlord will not act, most countries allow termination without notice — get the inspection report first.

Can I claim for damaged belongings?

Yes, if the cause was the building and the landlord was notified. Keep receipts and photos; contents insurance may pay first and recover from the landlord.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“mould in rental landlord responsibility Malta”
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🦠 There is mould or damp in my rental — who do I report it to?