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ABBOZZ TA’ LIĠI msejjaħ

ATT sabiex issir dispożizzjoni għall-ħruġ ta’ liċenzji ta’ Aġenti tal-proprjetà immobbli, sensara tal-proprjetà u konsulenti tal-proprjetà.

IL-PRESIDENT, bil-parir u l-kunsens tal-Kamra tad-Deputati,imlaqqgħa f’dan il-Parlament, u bl-awtorità tal-istess, ħareġ b’liġi danli ġej:-

ARRANĠAMENT TAL-ATT

ArtikoliTaqsima I Preliminari 1-2

Taqsima II

Ħruġ ta’ Liċenzji ta’ Aġenti tal-Proprjetà Immobbli, Sensara tal-Proprjetà u Konsulenti tal-Proprjetà

3-10

Taqsima III Reġistrazzjoni 11

Taqsima IVTariffi li huma Intitolati d-Detenturita’ Liċenzja

12

Taqsima V Bord tal-Ħruġ ta’ Liċenzja 13Taqsima VI Setgħa biex isiru Regolamenti 14Taqsima VII Appelli mid-Deċiżjonijiet tal-Bord 15

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TAQSIMA IPreliminari

Titolu fil-qosor u bidu fis-seħħ.

1. (1) It-titolu ta’ dan l-Att huwa l-Att tal-2020 dwar l-Aġentital-Proprjetà Immobbli u tas-Sensara u Konsulenti tal-Proprjetà.

(2) Dan l-Att għandu jidħol fis-seħħ f’dik id-data jew dati li l-Ministru responsabbli għas-suq tal-proprjetà, jista’ b’avviż fil-Gazzetta,jistabbilixxi u jistgħu jiġu stabbiliti dati differenti u arranġamentitransitorji differenti fir-rigward ta’ dispożizzjonijiet u għanijietdifferenti ta’ dan l-Att.

Tifsir. 2. F’dan l-Att, kemm il-darba r-rabta tal-kliem ma teħtieġxxort’oħra:

Kap. 16."Art" tfisser li tinkludi l-proprjetà immobbli kollha kif

miżmuma fil-Kodiċi Ċivili u li ma hijiex extra commercium;

Att [insert no.] tal-2019.

"Att" tfisser l-Att tal-2020 dwar l-Aġenti tal-ProprjetàImmobbli u tas-Sensara u Konsulenti tal-Proprjetà;

"Awtorizzazzjoni" tfisser awtorizzazzjoni mogħtija mill-Bord f’termini tal-artikolu 5(5);

"Bord" tfisser il-Bord ta’ Ħruġ ta’ Liċenzji stabbilit taħtTaqsima 5 tal-Att;

"Detentur ta’ liċenzja" tfisser kwalunkwe detentur ta’liċenzja maħruġa mill-Bord biex jitwettaq in-negozju ta’ aġenttal-proprjetà immobbli jew sensar tal-proprjetà jew biex jaġixxibħala maniġer tal-fergħa jew konsulent tal-proprjetà, skont it-tipta’ liċenzja mogħtija mill-Bord;

"Konsulent tal-proprjetà" tfisser kwalunkwe persuna fiżikali hija impjegata jew ingaġġata (sew jekk taħt kuntratt ta’ servizzjew taħt kuntratt għal servizzi) minn kwalunkwe persunaliċenzjata biex twettaq in-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jewaġent tal-proprjetà immobbli, ħlief maniġer tal-fergħa, u li taġixxitaħt id-direzzjonijiet ta' persuna f'din il-kariga jew dawk ta’maniġer tal-fergħa;

"Liċenzja" tfisser liċenzja maħruġa mill-Bord biex jitwettaqin-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà, jew aġent tal-proprjetàimmobbli jew biex wieħed jaġixxi bħala maniġer tal-fergħa jewkonsulent tal-proprjetà;

"Maniġer tal-Fergħa" tfisser kwalunkwe persuna fiżika lihija detentur ta’ liċenzja u hija impjegata jew ingaġġata biex

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tissorvelja kwalunkwe konsulent tal-proprjetà;

"Ministru" tfisser il-Ministru responsabbli għas-suq tal-proprjetà;

"Reġistru" tfisser ir-reġistru ta’ liċenzji maħruġa biexjitwettaq in-negozju ta’ sensara tal-proprjetà, aġenti tal-proprjetàimmobbli, maniġers tal-fergħa u konsulenti tal-proprjetà kifprevist fit-Taqsima 3 tal-Att;

L.S. 373.01.

"Is-sid benefiċjarju" tfisser l-istess tifsira assenjata liluskont ir-Regolamenti kontra Money Laundering u Finanzjar ta’Terroriżmu;

Kap. 386.Kap. 386.

"Sħubija Kummerċjali" tfisser l-istess bħal it-tifsiraassenjata lit-terminu skont l-Att dwar il-Kumpanniji u tinkludikumpanija ffurmata u rreġistrata skont l-Att dwar il-Kumpanniji;

Kap. 490.

"Tribunal ta’ Reviżjoni Amministrattiva" tfisser it-Tribunalta’ Reviżjoni Amministrattiva stabbilit bl-artikolu 5(1) tal-Attdwar il-Ġustizzja Amministrattiva.

TAQSIMA IIĦruġ ta’ Liċenzji ta’ Aġenti tal-Proprjetà Immobbli, Sensara tal-

Proprjetà u Konsulenti tal-Proprjetà

Sensara tal-proprjetà liċenzjati jew Aġenti tal-proprjetà immobbli li għandhom jiġu liċenzjati.

3. (1) In-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetàimmobbli jfisser li taġixxi bħala intermedjarju fil-proċess ta’ negozjar ul-arranġament ta’ transazzjonijiet li jinvolvu l-akkwist jew it-tneħħijajew il-kiri tal-art, inkluż meta l-attività msemmija ssir permezz tal-involviment jew l-impjieg ta’ maniġer tal-fergħa jew konsulent tal-proprjetà jew it-tnejn, iżda ma tinkludix l-għoti ta’ parir legali fir-rigward ta’ kwalunkwe tali transazzjoni jew l-abbozzar u/jew il-pubblikazzjoni ta’ kwalunkwe ftehim kuntrattwali relattiv għal talitransazzjoni

(2) Ebda persuna ma’ għandha twettaq in-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli jew tkun impjegata jewingaġġata bħala maniġer tal-fergħa jew konsulent tal-proprjetà wara s-6ta’ Ġunju 2021 sakemm ma tkunx id-detentur ta’ liċenzja maħruġaskont l-Att:

Iżda ma tkunx meħtieġa ebda liċenzja fejn persuna fiżikatwettaq in-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetàimmobbli fuq bażi okkażjonali biss u la tirrekklama s-servizzi tagħha ulanqas ma timpjega jew tingaġġa li xi ħadd biex jgħinha fit-twettiq tal-attività okkażjonali msemmija:

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Iżda wkoll fejn tqum kwistjoni dwar jekk attività ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli għandiex titqies bħalaokkażjonali jew inkella, il-kwistjoni għandha tiġi riferuta lill-Bord għaldeterminazzjoni.

(3) Għall-finijiet tas-subartikolu (2):

"bażi okkażjonali" tfisser li taġixxi bħala intermedjarju fil-proċess tan-negozjar jew l-arranġament ta’ mhux aktar minnerba’ (4) transazzjonijiet fis-sena li jinvolvu l-akkwist jew it-tneħħija jew il-kiri tal-art.

Kap. 386.

(4) Meta żewġ sensari tal-proprjetà jew aġenti tal-proprjetàimmobbli jew aktar, ikun biħsiebhom iwettqu n-negozju tagħhomflimkien, huma għandhom j iffurmaw u j i rreġistraw sħubijakummerċjali skont l-Att dwar il-Kumpanniji, li jkollha bħala l-għanewlieni tagħha n-negozju previst skont is-subartikolu (1), u għandhomifittxu l-awtorizzazzjoni tal-Bord qabel ma jibdew in-negozju.

(5) Id-dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (4) għandhom japplikawukoll meta sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli jkunbiħsiebu iwettaq n-negozju tiegħu permezz ta’ korp korporattiv.

(6) L-ebda persuna ma għandha tkun direttur jew sieħeb fi sħubijakummerċjali ffurmata u rreġistrata skont dan l-artikolu dment li talipersuna jkollha Liċenzja biex twettaq in-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetàjew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli.

(7) Kull persuna, li ma tkunx detentur ta’ liċenzja, li twettaq in-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli jewtaġixxi bħala maniġer tal-fergħa jew konsulent tal-proprjetà mingħajrliċenzja jew inkella tiddeskrivi lilha innfisha bil-miktub bħala li jewtikkunsidra lilha nfisha li hija sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli jew maniġer tal-fergħa jew konsulent tal-proprjetàliċenzjat, hija responsabbli għal multa amministrattiva li ma teċċedixXXXXX euro (€XXXX).

(8) Sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli li majikkonformawx mar-rekwiżiti tas-subartikoli (4), (5) u l-artikolu 5(6)għandhom ikunu responsabbli għal multa amministrattiva li mateċċedix XXXXX euro(€XXXX).

Eliġibbiltà għal-liċenzji.

4. (1) Kwalunkwe persuna hija eleġibbli biex tikseb liċenzjabiex taġixxi bħala sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobblijew maniġer tal-fergħa jew konsulent tal-proprjetà, diment li hija:

(a) tkun għalqet l-età ta’ tmintax (18)-il sena; u

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(b) tkun attendiet kors ta’ taħriġ li huwa awtorizzat jewapprovat a priori mill-Bord li s-suġġett tiegħu jkun il-kwistjonijiet legali, finanzjarji u tekniċi relatati mal-proprjetàimmobbli, il-kummerċjalizzazzjoni u l-bejgħ tagħha, ta’ mhuxinqas minn tnax (12) ECTS f’livell erbgħa (4) fi ħdan il-Qafas tal-Kwalifiki ta’ Malta.

(2) Kwalunkwe persuna hija eleġibbli biex taġixxi bħala konsulenttal-proprjetà, diment li hija:

(a) tkun għalqet l-età ta’ tmintax (18)-il sena; u

(b) tkun attendiet kors ta’ taħriġ li huwa awtorizzat jewapprovat a priori mill-Bord li s-suġġett tiegħu jkun il-kwistjonijiet legali, finanzjarji u tekniċi relatati mal-proprjetàimmobbli, il-kummerċjalizzazzjoni u l-bejgħ tagħha, ta’ mhuxinqas minn tmienja (8) ECTS f’livell erbgħa (4) fi ħdan il-Qafastal-Kwalifiki ta’ Malta.

(3) Minkejja s-subartikolu (1), ebda persuna ma għandha tapplikagħal jew tikseb jew tkun eleġibbli biex ikollha liċenzja skont l-Att jekk:

(a) hija tkun falluta u ma tkunx kisbet l-ordni ta’kwittanza tagħha, jew, jekk hija tkun kisbet l-ordni ta’ kwittanzatagħha, tkun sospiża għal terminu li għadu ma skadiex jew tkunsoġġetta għal kondizzjonijiet li għadhom ma ġewx issodisfatti;jew

(b) li, fir-rigward tal-kondotta u r-reputazzjoni tal-applikant, il-pożizzjoni finanzjarja tiegħu, u tal-interessi tal-pubbliku, l-applikant ma jkunx persuna adatta u xierqa biexiwettaq in-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetàimmobbli jew biex jaġixxi bħala maniġer tal-fergħa.

Applikazzjoni għal liċenzja.

5. (1) Kull persuna li tixtieq tikseb liċenzja taħt dan l-Attgħandha tissottometti applikazzjoni lill-Bord fil-forma preskritta.

(2) Kull applikazzjoni taħt is-subartikolu (1):

(a) għandha tiddikjara l-post jew il-postijiet tan-negozjufejn l-applikant biħsiebu jwettaq in-negozju; u

(b) għandha, fejn l-applikant għandu jew jipproponi lijkollu żewġ (2) postijiet jew aktar tan-negozju, tispeċifika liemaminn dawn il-postijiet tan-negozju ser ikun il-post prinċipali tan-negozju tiegħu.

(3) Sensar tal-proprjetà u aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli li jkun

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biħsiebhom iwettqu n-negozju tagħhom permezz ta’ sħubijakummerċjali f’konformità mad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 3(4) u (5)għandhom jissottomettu applikazzjoni lill-Bord fil-forma preskritta.

(4) Kull applikazzjoni skont is-subartikolu (3) għandha tiddikjara:

(a) l-isem sħiħ u n-numru ta’ reġistrazzjoni uffiċjali tas-sħubija kummerċjali;

(b) id-data ta’ inkorporazzjoni jew ta’ reġistrazzjoni tas-sħubija kummerċjali;

(ċ) l-indirizz jew il-post prinċipali tan-negozju rreġistrattas-sħubija kummerċjali;

(d) l-ismijiet u n-numri ta’ referenza tal-identità tad-diretturi, tas-sħab, tas-segretarji tal-kumpannija u tas-sidienbenefiċjarji kollha; u

(e) in-numru tal-Liċenzja tad-diretturi kollha.

(5) Il-Bord għandu jawtorizza l-imġiba tan-negozju kif previstskont l-artikolu 3(4) u (5) meta jkun sodisfatt li:

(a) ir-rekwiżiti tal-artikolu 3(4) sa (6) ikunu ġew imħarsa;u

(b) fir-rigward tal-imġiba u r-reputazzjoni tas-sidienbenefiċjarji, il-pożizzjoni finanzjarja tagħhom, u l-interessi tal-pubbliku, is-sidien benefiċjarji huma l-persuni xierqa u proprjabiex ikunu involuti fi sħubija kummerċjali li l-għan ewlienitagħha huwa n-negozju previst skont l-artikolu 3(1).

(6) Ma għandu jkun hemm l-ebda bidla fis-sjieda benefiċjarja, fil-bord tad-diretturi jew sħab ta’ sħubija kummerċjali, iffurmata għall-finijiet tal-artikolu 3(4) jew (5), dment li din il-bidla tiġi nnotifikata lill-Bord fil-forma preskirtta u l-Bord jagħti l-approvazzjoni tiegħu dwardan meta jkun sodisfatt li l-kriterji stabbiliti fl-artikoli 3(6) u 5(5) ikunuġew issodisfati.

(7) F’każ ta’ bidla fis-sjieda benefiċjarja, fil-bord tad-diretturi jewsħab, ta’ sħubija kummerċjali ffurmata għall-finijiet tal-artikolu 3(4)jew (5), is-sħubija kummerċjali ma tistax terġa’ tibda n-negozju tagħhadment li tali bidliet ikunu approvati mill-Bord f’termini tas-subartikolu(6).

(8) Meta l-Bord jiddeċiedi li jirrifjuta talba għal approvazzjoni ta’bidla kif previst fis-subartikolu (6), dan għandu jinforma lill-applikant

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u fin-notifika għandu jiddikjara r-raġunijiet għad-deċiżjoni tiegħu.

(9) Il-Bord għandu jiġi informat ukoll kull meta:

(a) xi wieħed (1) mid-diretturi jew mis-sħab ta’ sħubijakummerċjali ffurmata għall-finijiet tal-artikolu 3(4) jew (5)jirriżenja jew jitneħħa b’xi mod ieħor; jew

Kap. 386.(b) jiġi riżolt jew inkella deċiż f’termini tal-Att dwar il-Kumpanniji li sħubija kummerċjali ffurmata għall-finijiet tal-artikolu 3(4) jew (5) tiġi xolta u konsegwentement tiġi stralċata.

Notifika tal-applikazzjoni u determinazzjoni.

6. (1) L-applikant jew l-applikanti għandu jissottometti lill-Bord kopja tal-applikazzjoni tiegħu flimkien ma’ dik l-informazzjoni udokumentazzjoni oħra sottomessa biex issostni l-applikazzjoni jew litista’ tintalab mill-Bord biex jilħaq determinazzjoni relattiva għall-applikazzjoni msemmija.

(2) Il-Bord għandu jiddetermina jekk l-applikant jew l-applikantijissodisfaw il-kriterji tal-eliġibbiltà biex jingħata Liċenzja jewAwtorizzazzjoni.

(3) Fl-għoti tal-Liċenzja jew Awtorizzazzjoni, il-Bord jista’jagħmilha soġġetta għal dawk il-kondizzjonijiet kif jista’ iqis xieraq, uwara li jkun ta Liċenzja jew Awtorizzazzjoni, jista’, minn żmien għalżmien, ivarja jew jirrevoka kwalunkwe kondizzjonijiet imposta jewjista' jimponi kondizzjonijiet ġodda.

(4) Sabiex id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-Att jitwettqu aħjar, il-Bordjista’, minn żmien għal żmien, joħroġ u jippubblika regoli li għandhomjorbtu lid-detenturi ta’ liċenzja u oħrajn kif jista’ jiġi speċifikat fihom.Dawn ir-regoli jistgħu jistipulaw rekwiżiti, kondizzjonijiet u, jeweżenzjonijiet addizzjonali fir-rigward tat-twettiq tan-negozju ta’ sensartal-proprjetà u aġenti tal-proprjetà immobbli jew id-drittijiet, id-doveriu l-obbligi tal-maniġer tal-fergħa.

(5) Meta l-Bord jiddeċiedi li jirrifjuta talba biex jagħti Liċenzjajew Awtorizzazzjoni, dan għandu jinforma lill-applikant jew lill-applikanti u fl-avviż jiddikjara r-raġunijiet għad-deċiżjoni tiegħu.

Effett tal-liċenzja.

7. (1) Ebda detentur ta’ liċenzja ma għandu jwettaq in-negozjuta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew ta’ aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli taħtkwalunkwe isem sakemm l-isem ma jkunx ġie approvat l-ewwel mill-Bord.

(2) Applikant għal liċenzja, jew detentur ta’ liċenzja, jista’ fikwalunkwe żmien japplika bil-miktub lill-Bord biex japprova isemgħall-finijiet tas-subartikolu (1), liema isem ma’ għandux jiġi approvat

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jekk jikkonsidra li l-isem jixbah ħafna lill-isem ta’ kwalunkwe persuna,ditta, jew kumpanija oħra li twettaq in-negozju bħala sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli liċenzjat fi jew barra minnMalta li x’aktarx iqarraq, jew li l-isem ikun dak ta’ kwalunkwe persuna,ditta, jew kumpanija.

(3) Kull detentur ta’ liċenzja li jikkontraveni s-subartikolu (1) jewis-subartikolu (2) huwa responsabbli għal multa amministrattiva li mateċċedix XXXXX euro (€XXXX).

L-Iskadenza tal-liċenzja.

8. liċenzja għandha, sakemm ma tiġix ikkanċellata qabel, jew id-detentur ta’ liċenzja jiġi sospiż qabel, skont id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ danl-Att, tibqa' tkun fis-seħħ sal-iskadenza ta’ ħames (5) snin li tkuninħarġet fir-rigward tagħhom, u għandha tiġġedded wara l-iskadenzatal-perjodu msemmi.

Tiġdid ta’ liċenzja.

9. (1) Applikazzjoni għat-tiġdid ta’ liċenzja għandha ssir fil-forma preskritta lill-Bord mhux qabel tliet (3) xhur qabel id-data tal-iskadenza tal-liċenzja.

(2) Il-Bord għandu jirrifjuta li jġedded liċenzja għal kwalunkwewaħda mir-raġunijiet li ġejjin:

(a) kwalunkwe waħda mir-raġunijiet speċifikati f’dan l-Att fir-rigward tar-rifjut għall-ħruġ ta’ liċenzja lil kwalunkwepersuna; jew

(b) li l-applikant ikun ippermetta lil kwalunkwe persuna,ħlief persuna li legalment twettaq in-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli liċenzjat, biex taġixxibħala l-aġent tiegħu fit-twettiq tan-negozju tiegħu;

(ċ) fir-rigward tal-karattru jew l-idoneità tal-applikant,ma’ huwiex fl-interess pubbliku li l-liċenzja tiġġedded.

(3) Il-Bord jista’ jirrikjedi lill-applikanti biex jagħmlu settminimu ta’ sigħat ta’ żvilupp professjonali kontinwat qabel it-tiġdidtal-liċenzja.

(4) Meta l-Bord jiddeċiedi li jirrifjuta talba għat-tiġdid ta’ liċenzja,dan għandu jinforma lill-applikant u fl-avviż jiddikjara r-raġunijietgħad-deċiżjoni tiegħu.

Ċediment, sospensjoni jew kanċellazzjoni ta’ liċenzja.

10. (1) Detentur ta’ liċenzja fi kwalunkwe żmien jista’ jċedi l-liċenzja tiegħu billi jressaq avviż bil-miktub għal dan il-għan, flimkienmal-liċenzja, lill-Bord.

(2) Detenturi ta’ liċenzja jistgħu fi kwalunkwe ħin jinnotifikaw lill-

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Bord li huma mhumiex biħsiebhom jibqgħu joperaw permezz ta’ sħubijakummerċjali kif previst skont l-artikolu 3(4) u (5) billi jibagħtu notifikabil-mitkub għal dan il-għan lill-Bord.

(3) Il-Bord għandu japprova fuq l-avviż id-data li fiha jirċievi l-avviż, u l-Liċenzja jew Awtorizzazzjoni għandha, minn dik id-data,tieqaf milli jkollha effett.

(4) Iċ-ċediment ta’ Liċenzja jew Awtorizzazzjoni taħt dan l-artikolu ma’ għandux jaffettwa r-responsabbiltà tad-detentur ta’liċenzja jew ta’ sħubija kummerċjali, kif jista’ jkun il-każ:

(a) biex iħallas kwalunkwe tariffi jew flus pagabbli oħrajew li għandhom ikunu pagabbli skont dan l-Att fi jew qabel id-data li fiha tiskadi l-liċenzja, iżda għaċ-ċediment tagħha;

(b) biex iwettaq kwalunkwe obbligu meħtieġ li jsir taħtdan l-Att fi jew qabel din id-data;

(ċ) għal kwalunkwe att li jsir jew li jsir b’mod prestabbilitqabel id-data li fiha l-Liċenzja jew Awtorizzazzjoni tieqaf millijkollha effett.

(5) Liċenzja jew Awtorizzazzjoni tista’ tiġi kkanċellata jewsospiża mill-Bord fi kwalunkwe mill-każijiet li ġejjin:

(a) fejn dan jiddetermina li l-liċenzja ma għadhiextissodisfa jew tilħaq r-rekwiżiti ta’, jew tkun ikkontraveniet,kwalunkwe waħda mid-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-Att jew ta’kwalunkwe regola maħruġa hawn taħt, jew tkun naqset millitissodisfa jew milli tikkonforma ma’ kwalunkwe obbligu jewkondizzjoni li l-liċenzja hija soġġetta għaliha bis-saħħa ta’ jewskont dan l-Att;

(b) fejn kwalunkwe sid benefiċjarju, membru tal-bord tad-diretturi jew sieħeb, ta’ sħubija kummerċjali ffurmata għall-finijiettal-artikolu 3(4) jew (5), ma jibqax jissodisfa l-kondizzjonijietstabbiliti fl-artikolu 5(5):

Iżda li mingħajr preġudizzju għall-ġeneralità ta’ danis-subartikolu, il-Bord għandu jkun intitolat li jikkanċella jewjissospendi Liċenzja jew Awtorizzazzjoni kull meta jirċievikwalunkwe informazzjoni avversa minn kwalunkwe awtorità oħrainklużi awtoritajiet oħra responsabbli għas-superviżjoni u l-infurzar ta’ kwalunkwe obbligu ieħor li għalih jista’ jkun soġġettit-twettiq tan-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew ta’ aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli;

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(c) fejn sħubija kummerċjali ffurmata għall-finijiet tal-artikolu 3(4) jew (5) tiġi xolta u konsegwentement tiġi stralċata.

(6) Fiċ-ċirkostanzi msemmija fis-subartikolu (4), il-Bord jista’,minflok is-sospensjoni jew il-kanċellazzjoni ta’ Liċenzja jewAwtorizzazzjoni, jordna t-tneħħija u s-sostituzzjoni ta’ kwalunkwe talipersuna li tista’ tkun involuta fis-sħubija kummerċjali.

(7) Meta l-Bord jiddeċiedi li jissospendi jew jikkanċella Liċenzjajew Awtorizzazzjoni, dan għandu jinforma lid-detentur jew detenturi ta’liċenzja u fl-avviż għandu jiddikjara r-raġunijiet għad-deċiżjoni tiegħu.

TAQSIMA IIIReġistrazzjoni

Reġistru ta’ Detenturi ta’ Liċenzja.

11. (1) Għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-Att, il-Bord għandu jistabbilixxi ujżomm Reġistru ta’ Detenturi ta’ Liċenzja.

(2) Ir-Reġistru għandu jinkludi d-dettalji li ġejjin:

(a) fil-każ tal-ħruġ ta’ liċenzja, l-isem u l-indirizz tad-detentur ta’ liċenzja, il-kwalifika li bis-saħħa tagħha huwaintitolat li jkollu liċenzja skont dan l-Att, l-indirizz tal-postprinċipali tan-negozju u kwalunkwe fergħa tal-uffiċċju approvata,l-isem tal-maniġer tal-fergħa ta’ tali fergħa tal-uffiċċju, id-data lifiha ngħatat l-applikazzjoni u t-tip ta’ liċenzja maħruġa;

(b) fil-każ ta’ sensari tal-proprjetà u ta’ aġenti tal-proprjetà immobbli li jkunu qed iwettqu n-negozju tagħhompermezz ta’ sħubija kummerċjali:

(i) l-isem sħiħ u n-numru ta’ reġistrazzjoniuffiċjali tas-sħubija kummerċjali;

(ii) id-data ta’ inkorporazzjoni jew ta’reġistrazzjoni tas-sħubija kummerċjali;

(iii) l-indirizz jew il-post prinċipali tan-negozjurreġistrat; u

(iv) l-ismijiet tad-diretturi, tas-sħab, tas-segretarjital-kumpannija u tas-sidien benefiċjarji kollha;

(ċ) fejn sensari tal-proprjetà u aġenti tal-proprjetàimmobbli jimpjegaw jew jirreklutaw konsulenti tal-proprjetà,lista aġġornata li tinkludi d-dettalji personali tal-konsulenti tal-proprjetà kollha li huma impjegati jew reklutati mas-sensar tal-proprjetà jew aġent tal-proprjetà immobbli;

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(d) fil-każ tat-tiġdid ta’ liċenzja, id-data li fiha ngħatat l-applikazzjoni;

(e) fil-każ tal-kanċellazzjoni ta’ liċenzja jew ċertifikat ta’approvazzjoni jew tas-sospensjoni ta’ detentur ta’ liċenzja jewdetentur ta’ ċertifikat ta’ approvazzjoni, id-data u r-raġunijiet lifuqhom saret il-kanċellazzjoni jew is-sospensjoni.

(3) Il-Bord għandu wkoll, fir-rigward ta’ kwalunkwe dħul,jirreġistra tali dettalji oħra kif jista’ jkun meħtieġ minn dan l-Att jew kifjista’ jiġi preskritt minn żmien għal żmien.

(4) Ir-reġistru għandu jiġi emendat kull meta tinħareġ, tiġġedded,jew tiġi kkanċellata liċenzja jew ċertifikat ta’ approvazzjoni skont danl-Att, jew meta jiġi sospiż detentur ta’ liċenzja jew detentur ta’ċertifikat ta’ approvazzjoni.

TAQSIMA IVTariffi li huma Intitolati d-Detenturi ta’ Liċenzja

Tariffi.12. (1) Fin-nuqqas ta’ ftehim, jistgħu jiġu imposti t-tariffi tas-senserija li ġejjin:

(a) fil-każ ta’ bejgħ, tariffa tas-senserija ta’ ħames (5%)per centum tal-valur tat-transazzjoni;

(b) fil-każ ta’ kirja kummerċjali, tariffa tas-senserijaekwivalenti għal għoxrin (20%) per centum tal-ewwel (1) kirjafis-sena, li nofsu għandu jitħallas minn sid il-kera u n-nofs l-ieħorgħandu jitħallas mill-inkwilin;

(ċ) fil-każ ta’ kirja residenzjali li teċċedi perjodu ta’ sitt(6) xhur, tariffa tas-senserija ekwivalenti għal kirja waħda (1) ta'xahar, li nofsha għandha titħallas minn sid il-kera u n-nofs l-ieħorgħandu jitħallas mill-inkwilin.

(2) It-tariffa sħiħa għandha tkun dovuta biss jekk id-detentur ta’liċenzja jassisti lill-partijiet kontraenti fl-istadji kollha tan-negozjatisakemm tintemm it-transazzjoni:

Iżda meta d-detentur ta’ liċenzja kien attiv waqt in-negozjatibejn il-partijiet iżda t-transazzjoni ma ntemmitx, kumpens ġust xortawaħda għandu jkun dovut u għandu jiġi ddeterminat minn qorti.

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TAQSIMA VBord tal-Ħruġ ta’ Liċenzja

Bord tal-Ħruġ ta’ Liċenzja.

13. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Bord, li għandu jkun magħruf bħalal-Bord tal-Ħruġ ta’ Liċenzja, maħtur mill-Ministru li jikkonsisti minn:

(a) avukat, li għandu jippresjedi;

(b) nutar, membru b’sede fuq il-Bord tal-Fondazzjoni tal-Proprjetà ta’ Malta; u

(ċ) żewġ (2) persuni oħra ta’ integrità magħrufa.

(2) Membru tal-Bord għandu jiġi skwalifikat milli jieħu sehemf’dawk iċ-ċirkostanzi li jiskwalifikaw imħallef f’kawża ċivili; u fikwalunkwe tali każ il-membru għandu jiġi sostitwit b’persuna oħramaħtura għall-għan mill-Ministru.

(3) Il-membri tal-Bord għandhom iżommu l-kariga għal perjoduta’ tliet (3) snin, u għandhom ikunu eleġibbli għal ħatra mill-ġdid.

TAQSIMA VISetgħa biex isiru Regolamenti

Proċedura biex isiru r- regolamenti.

14. (1) Il-Ministru jista’ jagħmel regolamenti biex id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-Att jitwettqu aħjar.

(2) Mingħajr preġudizzju lejn il-ġeneralità tad-dispożizzjonijiettas-subartikolu (1) tali regolamenti jistgħu, b’mod partikolari:

(a) jipprovdu għal kwalunkwe kwistjoni marbuta man-negozju ta’ sensar tal-proprjetà jew ta' aġent tal-proprjetàimmobbli kif ukoll kwalunkwe kwistjoni oħra relatata tiegħu,billi jitqiesu l-kunsiderazzjonijiet rilevanti kollha, inklużstandards professjonali ta’ kondotta etika;

(b) jemendaw, jissostitwixxu, iżidu ma’ jew inkella jibdlukwalunkwe ħaġa li hemm f’dan l-Att.

TAQSIMA VIIAppelli mid-Deċiżjonijiet tal-Bord

Appelli mid-Deċiżjonijiet tal-Bord.

15. (1) It-Tribunal ta’ Reviżjoni Amministrattiva għandu jkunkompetenti biex jisma’ u jiddetermina oġġezzjonijiet li jsiru minnkwalunkwe persuna aggravata minn kwalunkwe deċiżjoni tal-Bord:

Iżda li, sakemm ma jiġix preskritt b’mod ieħor mil-liġi,oġġezzjoni mressqa f’termini ta’ dan is-subartikolu lit-Tribunal ta’Reviżjoni Amministrattiva għandha tiġi sottomessa fi żmien għoxrin

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(20) ġurnata minn meta tiġi riċevuta d-deċiżjoni tal-Bord.

Kap. 490.

(2) Għandu jkun hemm dritt tal-appell skont id-dispożizzjonijietta’ Taqsima IV tal-Att dwar il-Ġustizzja Amministrattiva mid-deċiżjonijiet tat-Tribunal ta’ Reviżjoni Amministrattiva skont is-subartikolu (1) u dan l-appell għandu jsir lill-Qorti tal-Appell(Ġurisdizzjoni Inferjuri).

Għanijiet u Raġunijiet

L-għanijiet u r-raġunijiet ta’ dan l-Abbozz ta’ Liġi huma sabiexjarmonizza l-involviment tal-persuni li jaġixxu bħala intermedjarji fil-proċess ta’ negozjar u arranġament ta’ transazzjonijiet li jinvolvu l-akkwist jew it-tneħħija jew il-kiri ta’ art. Essenzjalment, din għandhatwassal sabiex ikun provdut qafas regolatorju fejn Aġenti tal-ProprjetàImmobbli, maniġers tal-fergħat u konsulenti tal-proprjetà li jaħdmugħal aġenti tal-proprjetà immobbli kif ukoll sensara tal-proprjetà jistgħujiġu liċenzjati.

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A BILL entitled

AN ACT to make provision for the licensing of real estate Agents,property brokers and property consultants.

BE IT ENACTED by the President, by and with the advice andconsent of the House of Representatives, in this present Parliamentassembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

ARRANGEMENT OF THE ACT

ArticlesPart I Preliminary 1-2

Part IILicensing of Real Estate Agents,Property Brokers and Property Consultants

3-10

Part III Registration 11Part IV Fees which Licensees are Entitled to 12Part V Licensing Board 13Part VI Power to make Regulations 14Part VII Appeals from Board Decisions 15

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PART IPreliminary

Short title and commencement.

1. (1) The title of this Act is the Real Estate Agents, PropertyBrokers and Property Consultants Act, 2020.

(2) This Act shall come into force on such date or dates as theMinister responsible for the property market may establish by notice inthe Gazette and different dates and different transitory arrangementsmay be so established for different provisions or different purposes ofthis Act.

Interpretation.2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

Act [insert no.] of 2019.

"Act" means the Real Estate Agents, Property Brokers andProperty Consultants Act, 2020;

Cap. 490.

"Administrative Review Tribunal" means theAdministrative Review Tribunal established by article 5(1) of theAdministrative Justice Act;

"Authorisation" means an authorisation granted by theBoard in terms of article 5(5);

S.L. 373.01."Beneficial owner" means the same as the definition

assigned to it under the Prevention of Money Laundering andFunding of Terrorism Regulations;

"Board" means the Licensing Board established under Part5 of the Act;

"Branch Manager" means any natural person who is aholder of a licence and is employed or engaged to supervise anyproperty consultant;

Cap. 386.Cap. 386.

"Commercial Partnership" means the same as the definitionassigned to the term under the Companies Act and includes acompany formed and registered under the Companies Act;

Cap. 16."Land" means that it includes all immovable property as

held in the Civil Code and which is not extra commercium;

"Licence" means a licence issued by the Board to carry outthe business of a property broker, or real estate agent or to act as abranch manager or property consultant;

"Licensee" means any holder of a licence issued by theBoard to carry out the business of a real estate agent or a propertybroker or to act as a branch manager or a property consultant,

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depending on the type of licence conferred by the Board;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for the propertymarket;

"Property consultant" means any natural person who isemployed or engaged (whether under a contract of service or acontract for services) by any licensed person to carry out thebusiness of property broker or real estate agent, other than abranch manager, and who acts under the directions of the same orthose of a branch manager;

"Register" means the register of licences issued to carry outthe business of property brokers, real estate agents, branchmanagers and property consultants as provided in Part 3 of theAct.

PART IILicensing of Real estate Agents, Property Brokers

and Property Consultants

Licensed property brokers or Real estate agents that shall be licensed.

3. (1) The business of a property broker or real estate agentmeans the acting as an intermediary in the process of negotiating andarranging transactions involving the acquiring or disposing or leasingof land, including when the said activity is carried out through theengagement or the employment of a branch manager or a propertyconsultant or both, but does not include providing legal advice inrelation to any such transaction or the drafting and/or publication of anycontractual agreement relative to such transaction.

(2) No person shall carry on the business of a property broker orreal estate agent or be employed or engaged as a branch manager orproperty consultant after the 6th June 2021 unless he is the holder of alicence issued under the Act:

Provided that no licence shall be required where a naturalperson carries out the business of property broker or real estate agentonly on an occasional basis and does neither advertise his services nordoes he employ or engage anyone to assist him in the carrying out ofthe said occasional activity:

Provided further that where there arises a question as towhether an activity of a property broker or real estate agent is to beconsidered as occasional or otherwise, the issue shall be referred to theBoard for determination.

(3) For the purposes of sub-article (2):

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"occasional basis" means acting as an intermediary in theprocess of negotiating and arranging not more than four (4)transactions per annum involving the acquiring or disposing orleasing of land.

Cap. 386.

(4) Where two or more property brokers or real estate agentsintend to carry out their business jointly, they shall form and register acommercial partnership under the Companies Act, having as its mainobject the business envisaged under sub-article (1), and shall seek theauthorisation of the Board prior to the commencement of business.

(5) The provisions of sub-article (4) shall also apply where aproperty broker or real estate agent intends to carry out his businessthrough a body corporate.

(6) No person shall be a director or partner in a commercialpartnership formed and registered under this article unless such aperson holds a License to carry out the business of a property broker ora real estate agent.

(7) Every person, not being a licensee, who carries out thebusiness of a property broker or real estate agent or acts as a branchmanager or a property consultant without a licence or otherwisedescribes himself in writing as or holds himself out to be a licensedproperty broker or a real estate agent or a branch manager or a propertyconsultant, is liable to an administrative fine (multa) not exceedingXXXX euro (€XXXX).

(8) Property brokers and real estate agents who do not complywith the requirements of sub-articles (4), (5) and article 5(6) shall beliable to an administrative fine (multa) not exceeding XXXX euro(€XXXX).

Eligibility for licences.

4. (1) Any person is eligible to obtain a licence to act as aproperty broker or real estate agent or a branch manager or a propertyconsultant, provided he:

(a) has attained the age of eighteen (18) years; and

(b) has attended a training course which is endorsed orapproved a priori by the Board having as its subject matter thelegal, financial and technical issues related to real estate, it’smarketing and sale, of not less than twelve (12) ECTS at levelfour (4) within the Malta Qualifications Framework.

(2) Any person is eligible to act as a property consultant, providedhe:

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(a) has attained the age of eighteen (18) years; and

(b) has attended a training course which is endorsed orapproved a priori by the Board having as its subject matter thelegal, financial and technical issues related to real estate, itsmarketing and sale, of not less than eight (8) ECTS at level four(4) within the Malta Qualifications Framework.

(3) Notwithstanding sub-article (1), no person shall apply for orobtain or be eligible to hold a licence under the Act if:

(a) he is a bankrupt and has not obtained his order ofdischarge, or, if he has obtained his order of discharge, it issuspended for a term not yet expired or is subject to conditionsnot yet fulfilled; or

(b) having regard to the applicant’s conduct and repute,his financial position, and to the interests of the public, theapplicant is not fit and proper person to carry on the business ofproperty broker or real estate agent or act as branch manager.

Application for licence.

5. (1) Every person who desires to obtain a licence under theAct shall submit an application to the Board in the prescribed form.

(2) Every application under sub-article (1):

(a) shall state the place or places of business whereapplicant intends to carry out the business; and

(b) shall, where the applicant has or proposes to have two(2) or more places of business, specify which of those places ofbusiness is to be his principal place of business.

(3) Property brokers and real estate agents who intend to carry outtheir business through a commercial partnership in compliance with theprovisions of article 3(4) and (5) shall submit an application to theBoard in the prescribed form.

(4) Every application under sub-article (3) shall state:

(a) the official full name and registration number of thecommercial partnership;

(b) the date of incorporation or registration of thecommercial partnership;

(c) the registered address or principal place of business ofthe commercial partnership;

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(d) the names and identity reference numbers of alldirectors, partners, company secretary and beneficial owners;and

(e) the License number of all directors.

(5) The Board shall authorise the conduct of business as envisagedunder article 3(4) and (5) upon being satisfied that:

(a) the requirements of article 3(4) to (6) have beencomplied with; and

(b) having regard to the beneficial owners’ conduct andrepute, their financial position, and the interests of the public, thebeneficial owners are fit and proper persons to be involved in acommercial partnership which has as its main object the businessenvisaged under article 3(1).

(6) There shall be no change in beneficial ownership, in the boardof directors or partners of a commercial partnership, formed for thepurpose of article 3(4) or (5), unless the said change is notified to theBoard in the prescribed form and the Board gives its approval theretoupon being satisfied that the criteria set out in articles 3(6) and 5(5) aremet.

(7) In case of a change in beneficial ownership, in the board ofdirectors or partners, of a commercial partnership formed for thepurpose of article 3(4) or (5), the commercial partnership may notresume its business unless such changes are approved by the Board interms of sub-article (6).

(8) When the Board decides to refuse a request for an approval ofa change as envisaged in sub-article (6), it shall inform the applicantand state in the notice the grounds for its decision.

(9) The Board shall also be informed whenever:

(a) any one (1) director or partner of a commercialpartnership formed for the purposes of article 3(4) or (5) resignsor is otherwise removed; or

Cap. 386.(b) it is resolved or otherwise decided in terms of the

Companies Act that a commercial partnership formed for thepurposes of article 3(4) or (5) be dissolved and consequentlywound up.

Notice of application and determination.

6. (1) The applicant or applicants shall submit to the Board acopy of his application together with such other information and

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documentation filed in support of the application or which may berequested by the Board to reach a determination relative to the saidapplication.

(2) The Board shall determine whether the applicant or applicantssatisfy the criteria of eligibility to be awarded a Licence orAuthorisation.

(3) In granting a Licence or Authorisation the Board may subjectit to such conditions as it may deem appropriate and, having granted aLicence or Authorisation, it may, from time to time, vary or revoke anyconditions so imposed or may impose new conditions.

(4) For the better carrying out of the provisions of this Act, theBoard may, from time to time, issue and publish rules which shall bebinding on licensees and others as may be specified therein. Such rulesmay lay down additional requirements, conditions and, or exemptionsin relation to the carrying out of the business of property broker andreal estate agents or the rights, duties and obligations of a branchmanager.

(5) When the Board decides to refuse a request to grant a Licenceor Authorisation, it shall inform the applicant or applicants and state inthe notice the grounds for its decision.

Effect of licence.

7. (1) No licensee shall carry on the business of a propertybroker or of a real estate agent under any name unless the name has firstbeen approved by the Board.

(2) An applicant for a licence, or a licensee, may at any time applyin writing to the Board to approve a name for the purposes of sub-article (1), which name shall not be approved if it considers that thename so nearly resembles the name of any other person, firm, orcompany carrying on the business as a licensed property broker or realestate agent in or outside Malta as to be likely to deceive, or that thename is that of any person, firm, or company.

(3) Every licensee who contravenes sub-article (1) or sub-article(2) is liable to an administrative fine (multa) not exceeding XXXX euro(€XXXX).

Expiration of licence.

8. A licence shall, unless it is sooner cancelled, or the licensee issooner suspended, in accordance with the provisions of this Act,continue in force until the expiration of five (5) years in respect ofwhich it is issued, and shall be renewed after the expiration of the saidperiod.

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Renewal of licence.

9. (1) An application for the renewal of a licence shall be madein the prescribed form to the Board not earlier than three (3) monthspreceding the date of the expiry of the licence.

(2) The Board shall refuse to renew a licence on any of thefollowing grounds:

(a) any of the grounds specified in this Act in relation torefusal to the issue of a licence to any person; or

(b) that the applicant has permitted any person, other thana person lawfully carrying on the business of a licensed propertybroker or real estate agent, to act as his agent in the conduct of hisbusiness;

(c) having regard to the character or fitness of applicant,it is not in the public interest that the licence be renewed.

(3) The Board may require applicants to undertake a set minimumof hours of continuing professional development prior to renewing thelicence.

(4) When the Board decides to refuse a request for a renewal of alicence, it shall inform the applicant and state in the notice the groundsfor its decision.

Surrender, suspension or cancellation of a licence.

10. (1) A licensee may at any time surrender his licence byforwarding a written notice to that effect, together with the licence, tothe Board.

(2) Licensees may at any time notify the Board that they do notintend to keep operating through a commercial partnership as envisagedunder article 3(4) and (5) by forwarding a written notice to that effect tothe Board.

(3) The Board shall endorse on the notice the date on which itreceives the notice, and the Licence or Authorisation shall, as from thatdate, cease to have effect.

(4) The surrender of a Licence or Authorisation under this articleshall not affect the licensee’s or commercial partnership liability, as thecase may be:

(a) to pay any fees or other money payable or to bepayable in accordance with this Act on or before the date onwhich the licence would, but for its surrender, expire;

(b) to perform any obligation required to be performed

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under this Act on or before that date;

(c) for any act done or default made before the date onwhich the Licence or Authorisation ceased to have effect.

(5) A Licence or Authorisation may be cancelled or suspended bythe Board in any of the following instances:

(a) where it determines that the licensee no longer fulfilsor meets the requirements of, or has contravened, any of theprovisions of this Act or of any rules issued thereunder, or hasfailed to satisfy or comply with any obligation or condition towhich the licence is subject by virtue of or under this Act;

(b) where any beneficial owner, member of the board ofdirectors or partner, of a commercial partnership formed for thepurpose of article 3(4) or (5), no longer meets the conditions setout in article 5(5):

Provided that without prejudice to the generality ofthis sub-article, the Board shall be entitled to cancel or suspend aLicence or Authorisation whenever it receives any adverseinformation from any other authority including other authoritiesresponsible for the supervision and enforcement of any otherobligations to which the carrying out of the business of propertybroker or real estate agent may be subject to;

(c) where a commercial partnership formed for thepurposes of article 3(4) or (5) is to be dissolved and consequentlywound up.

(6) In the circumstances referred to in sub-article (4), the Boardmay instead of the suspension or cancellation of a Licence orAuthorisation, order the removal and replacement of any such personwho may be involved in the commercial partnership.

(7) When the Board decides to suspend or cancel a Licence orAuthorisation, it shall inform the licensee or licensees and state in thenotice the grounds for its decision.

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PART IIIRegistration

Register of Licensees.

11. (1) For the purpose of this Act, the Board shall set up andmaintain a Register of Licensees.

(2) The Register shall include the following details:

(a) in the case of the issue of a licence, the name andaddress of the licensee, the qualification by virtue of which he isentitled to hold a licence under this Act, the address of theprincipal place of business and of any approved branch office, thename of the branch manager of such branch office, the date onwhich the application was granted and the type of licence issued;

(b) in the case of property brokers and real estate agentscarrying out their business through a commercial partnership:

(i) the official full name and registration numberof the commercial partnership;

(ii) the date of incorporation or registration of thecommercial partnership;

(iii) the registered address or principal place ofbusiness; and

(iv) the names of all directors, partners, companysecretary and beneficial owners;

(c) where property brokers and real estate agents employor engage property consultants, an updated list including thepersonal details of all property consultants who are employed orengaged with the property broker or real estate agent;

(d) in the case of the renewal of a licence, the date onwhich the application was granted;

(e) in the case of the cancellation of a licence orcertificate of approval or the suspension of a licensee or holderof a certificate of approval, the date and the grounds on whichthe cancellation or suspension was made.

(3) The Board shall also, in respect of any entry, record such otherparticulars as may be required by this Act or as may from time to timebe prescribed.

(4) The register shall be amended wherever a licence or certificate

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of approval is issued, renewed, or cancelled under this Act, or alicensee or holder of a certificate of approval is suspended.

PART IVFees which Licensees are Entitled to

Fees. 12. (1) In the absence of an agreement, the following brokeragefees may be charged:

(a) in the case of a sale, a brokerage fee of five (5%) percentum of the transacted value;

(b) in the case of commercial lease, a brokerage feeequivalent to twenty (20%) per centum of the first (1st) yearlyrent, half of which shall be paid by the landlord and the other halfshall be paid by the tenant;

(c) in the case of a residential lease exceeding a six (6)month period, a brokerage fee equivalent to one (1) monthly rent,half of which is to be paid by the landlord and the other half is tobe paid by the tenant.

(2) The full fee shall only be due if the licensee assists the partiesto the contract at all stages of negotiations until the transaction iscompleted:

Provided that if the licensee was active during the negotiationsbetween the parties but the transaction was not completed, a faircompensation would still be due and shall be determined by a court.

PART VLicensing Board

Licensing Board.

13. (1) There shall be a Board, to be known as the LicensingBoard appointed by the Minister, consisting of:

(a) a lawyer, who shall preside;

(b) a Notary, a member sitting on the Board of theProperty Malta Foundation; and

(c) two (2) other persons of known integrity.

(2) A member of the Board shall be disqualified from taking partin such circumstances that would disqualify a judge in a civil suit; andin any such case the member shall be substituted by another personappointed for the purpose by the Minister.

(3) The members of the Board shall hold office for a period of

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three (3) years, and shall be eligible for reappointment.

PART VIPower to make Regulations

Procedure for making of regulations.

14. (1) The Minister may make regulations for the bettercarrying out of the provisions of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-article (1), such regulations may, in particular:

(a) provide for any matter relating to the business of aproperty broker or real estate agent as well as any other matterrelating thereto, taking account of all relevant considerations,including professional standards of ethical conduct;

(b) amend, substitute, add to or otherwise alter anythingcontained in this Act.

PART VIIAppeals from Board Decisions

Appeals from Board Decisions.

15. (1) The Administrative Review Tribunal shall be competentto hear and determine objections made by any person aggrieved by anydecision of the Board:

Provided that, unless otherwise prescribed by law, an objectionlodged in terms of this sub-article to the Administrative ReviewTribunal shall be filed within twenty (20) days from the receipt of theBoard’s decision.

Cap. 490.(2) There shall be a right of appeal in accordance with the

provisions of Part IV of the Administrative Justice Act from decisionsof the Administrative Review Tribunal under sub-article (1) and suchappeal shall be to the Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction).

Objects and Reasons

The objects and reasons of this Bill are to streamline persons acting asintermediaries in the process of negotiating and arranging transactionsinvolving the acquiring or disposing or leasing of land. Essentially, thisshall entail the provision of a regulatory framework allowing for thelicensing of real estate Agents, branch managers and propertyconsultants working for real estate agents as well as property brokers.