Over the past few months, PwC Malta has embarked on a project in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle and LaSalle Investment Management (JLL), together with Archi+, in deriving the first Real Estate Transparency Index for Malta.
PwC Malta led the compilation of survey results for Malta through consultations with key stakeholders within the public and private sector, including real estate investors, key developers, architects, lawyers, notaries, real estate agents, and property managers.
The index, based on JLL’s methodology, focuses on topics such as direct property indices; availability of property data in connection with transactions; valuations; the use of real estate technology in construction and property management (among others); real estate tax; land use planning; professional standards of agents; green building regulations; and sustainability.
Malta received a score of 3.64 in the index and ranked 62 among the 94 participant countries, thereby falling within the Low Transparency category along with countries such as Morocco, Egypt and Sri Lanka. Malta scored well on some fronts such as governance of listed vehicles, regulatory and legal aspects, as well as the transaction process. Areas such as sustainability, technology and digitisation, and availability of data, merit considerable improvement.
PwC Malta’s territory senior partner, David Valenzia, said, “The global real estate industry is facing increased pressures to act responsibly on a number of fronts. Real estate is an important investment instrument, and the focus of investors is shifting more towards investing and doing business in a transparent and sustainable manner.
“Understanding the importance of the benefits of transparency, PwC Malta has worked in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle with the objective of establishing a benchmark for the local real estate sector.
“The results of this survey have highlighted what areas to priorities and the issues the country should address in moving forward to increase transparency. Only by working upon identifiable targets can Malta improve its score and ranking in JLL’s GRETI.
The gradual improvement of the transparency within the real estate sector will enhance the level of trust and will continue to ensure the sustainability of the industry.
