Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546037
5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 AUGUST 2026 NEWS identifies 18 unlicensed properties by MaltaToday, the MTA stated that it has identified 18 proper- ties operating without the re- quired licence. The clamp down started after the introduction of new accommodation regulations in mid-June and the Swieqi pilot project. The regulations the au- thority was referring to are re- forms introduced last April that came into force in June. They include requirements such as maximum limits on the num- ber of people that can sleep per bedroom and per apartment. However, the most stringent reg- ulations only apply to short-let apartments whose licence appli- cations were submitted after 15 June 2026. The overwhelming majority of existing accommo- dations are exempt from some of the new regulations and will remain exempt when they re- new their licences. This loophole in the rules leaves thousands of short-let apartments immune from enforcement based on the new regulations. Asked how many unregistered property owners were fined for irregularities, the MTA said that enforcement procedures have been initiated against all opera- tors found to be operating with- out the required licence. "These include administrative fines and also disqualification to operators and properties from applying for a licence for a period of three years," a spokesperson replied. The MTA added that it carried out over 500 inspections and identified 97 licensed prop- erties in breach of their licence conditions, primarily due to overcrowded properties. "Appropriate enforcement measures, including the issuing of administrative fines, are being taken to ensure compliance with licence conditions and to safe- guard quality standards within the sector," the spokesperson said. MaltaToday set out to estimate how many properties listed on the popular global booking platform, Booking.com, are not registered with the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA)