The Property Market is Heating Up Before Summer

Every year, as summer approaches, the Malta property market starts picking up pace. Rental demand increases, short-lets become more active, and tenants begin searching more aggressively for properties across the island. This year, this trend is already being noticed earlier than usual, especially in sought after areas such as Sliema, St Julian’s, Mellieha, and St Paul’s Bay.

From my experience over the years, the increase in rental demand before summer usually comes down to one simple thing: high demand and low supply.

Increase in Short Lets & Tourism

Let’s be honest, Malta is a beautiful place to be during summer. The sea, the sun, salty hair, beach days, social events, restaurants, nightlife, and that relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle all attract thousands of tourists every year. Naturally, this gives the shortlet market a huge advantage during the summer months.

Realistically speaking, summer is when many owners make much of their income from shortlets. Winter, on the other hand, is usually much slower once expenses are deducted. Because of this, some owners prefer renting their property on longlets for around 9 months and switching to short lets during the peak summer season.

This automatically reduces the number of long-let properties available on the market, bringing us back to the classic situation of high demand and low supply.

Property Prices in Key Areas

There is a famous saying in real estate that I’m sure everyone has heard: “location, location, location.” And honestly, it is completely true.

Of course, people want to enjoy the best parts of the “island life”, especially if they are coming from colder countries. If you are moving to Malta, you might as well enjoy a lovely seafront apartment, open views, and a beautiful sunset.

Properties offering extra features such as sea views, larger terraces, modern finishings, pools, garages, or being walking distance from the beach will always have stronger rental potential, especially during peak season.

A perfect example is this highly finished apartment just seconds away from my favourite bay, Fekruna Bay in Xemxija Click Here.

Foreign Workers & Relocation Demand

Summer also brings a major increase in employment demand. Hotels, restaurants, tourism businesses, events, and hospitality services all require additional workers during the busy season.

This means more foreign workers relocating to Malta, which naturally increases the need for accommodation. Just this week, I had a client looking for an entire block of apartments or  hostel to accommodate around 70 tenants. That alone shows how active the market becomes during this period.

Side note: if you or anyone knows of a property suitable for this requirement, feel free to get in touch 👍🏻☺️

Advice for Tenants Before the Summer Rush

For tenants, my biggest advice is simple: do your homework properly. Know exactly what you want, what is essential for you, and what you are willing to compromise on.

During peak season, good properties move extremely quickly. Many owners will not wait longer than a few weeks for someone to movein, especially if there are multiple interested clients so sadly, time is not on your side. Having your deposit and first month’s payment ready can make the process much smoother and more reassuring for owners.

At the same time, do not rush blindly into something just because you feel pressured. Ultimately, you need to be happy in your new home.

I also understand that sometimes people relocating for work permits or paperwork may not have many options or enough time. Luckily, under Maltese law, with a one-year lease agreement, tenants are legally allowed to leave after six months with one month notice, of course subject to some terms and conditions.

Unfortunately, there are also scammers online, so always make sure to either physically view the property or at least arrange a live video call and work with someone reputable. Luckily, at Carl Mizzi Real Estate we offer all of that and more, including assistance with paperwork and the Housing Authority process.

Advice for Owners Before Summer

For owners, preparation is key before the busy summer season begins. I always advise giving properties an extra push so everything is in excellent condition before tenants move in. Simple things such as servicing air conditioning units, repainting, deep cleaning, checking appliances, and installing or repairing mosquito nets can make a huge difference to a tenant’s overall experience.

At the end of the day, prevention is always better than cure. Malta becomes extremely busy during summer, and even finding a technician for basic maintenance can sometimes take weeks. It is much better to prepare in advance rather than dealing with complaints and urgent repairs later on. This is also one of the reasons many owners opt for property management services. After all, there is nothing worse than finally enjoying a well deserved relaxing beach day only to receive a phone call about a leak or a tenant locked outside.

I also always recommend pricing properties fairly and realistically. Some landlords see very high asking prices online and immediately expect the same for their own property. While I completely understand that real estate is also a business, unrealistic pricing often backfires. Once tenants settle in and understand the local market better, they may eventually leave to find something offering better value. This then forces owners to restart the entire rental process, often reducing the price back to its realistic market value anyway, especially during the quieter off season months between November and February.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, real estate is not only about properties, but also about people, trust, and good communication. I believe it should always come down to fairness, honesty, respect, and clear communication. With patience and the right approach, there is almost always a compromise that works for everyone involved.

Whether you are looking to rent, buy, manage, or prepare your property for the summer season, feel free to get in touch.

Good luck 🍀