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Guides & Advice

Looking for pest control services in Malta? Here’s what you need to know.
Guides & Advice

Looking for pest control services in Malta? Here’s what you need to know.

When you spot insects or rodents running amok in your home, it can come as quite a shock. Not only will the sight of such pests make you feel ill at ease in your home, but creepy crawlies are likely to start causing damage to your property in no time at all. They also spread infection and disease that can be harmful to you, your family, and even your pets. Unfortunately, due to the islands’ warm weather and humidity, pest problems are a common occurrence in Malta and Gozo. So, if you’re looking to nip your pest infestation in the bud, here’s everything you need to know. Most common pests in Malta Before you call in the pest control professionals, it’s good to identify what pests you’re dealing with and the potential problems they can cause within your home. Ants Ants may appear relatively harmless however they can quickly infest a home in colonies of thousands, which will cause several health and hygiene problems. Firstly, ants are known to borrow through walls, door frames, skirting, and even wooden furniture, leaving behind holes and little piles of dust and debris. Aside from the damage to your home, ants pose a number of health risks, including spreading bacteria and, in extreme cases, have been known to cause allergic reactions. Termites While termites aren’t known to carry diseases harmful to humans, they can cause severe damage in your home by chewing through wooden furniture. Living in a home that’s infested by termites may also be harmful to people prone to allergic reactions and asthma attacks. They also multiply fast, meaning you’ll need to act fast to nip them in the bud. Cockroaches Cockroaches are without doubt one of the worst pest problems we have in Malta and Gozo. That’s largely due to the country’s warm and humid weather, which spurs cockroach populations to feed and reproduce at an alarming rate. These scavenging insects are known to feast on almost anything, including rotten food, cardboard boxes, leather, soap, and even faecal matter. This means they can spread diseases such as dysentery and gastroenteritis. That’s why it’s crucial to act fast when you spot a cockroach in your house. “Many people wonder why pests are entering their home in the first place. The answer is usually one of three things: food, water, and shelter. That’s why it’s always recommended to not leave food and crumbs out in the open, on table and countertops. Garbage bins should be adequately sealed and taken out frequently. Humidity in the home will also need to be dealt with as many insects thrive in moist areas. A dehumidifier may be a worthwhile investment to keep certain types of insects out of your home. Hornets Oriental hornets are indigenous to the Mediterranean and have become a rising problem in Malta over the past few years. The species is attracted to urbanised areas, often nesting in cracks, ventilators, and air conditioning pipes around homes and offices. They are highly territorial and will aggressively attack if they feel they are being provoked. Worse still, they are capable of inflicting multiple, painful stings that can cause facial swelling and difficulty in breathing, which may require medical attention, especially among young children. For this reason, it is never recommended to approach a hornet’s nest. Always call in the professionals. Rodents Dealing with rats or mice in the home is a nightmare situation for anyone. In Malta, they are particularly known to infest homes that are situated close to open fields or abandoned buildings. With their sharp teeth, they can chew on anything they get their paws on, causing holes in walls and cupboards. They also carry a high risk of disease especially when you come in contact with their droppings and saliva, which can be toxic to humans and cause severe infection. Your 5 most common pest control questions answered Calling in pest control services is, thankfully, not an everyday occurrence. But that means many of us simply don’t know what to expect. Here we answer some of your most common questions to do with pest control in Malta. 1 – Why do I need a pest control specialist? Can’t I get rid of pests on my own? Should you be spotting the odd insect or pest every now and then, you may be able to deal with the situation using over-the-counter products available from most supermarkets, such as insect repellent sprays. However, these solutions usually only work for a short period of time. Continued pest problems will require a professional pest control service. Pest control technicians possess the expertise to locate where certain pest problems are stemming from and can provide high-quality pesticides and treatments to resolve the issue for good. 2 – Is pest control safe for children and pets? This answer will largely depend on the variety and quantity of pest treatments used in your home. However, generally speaking, pest control specialists pride themselves on offering low-risk and environmentally friendly solutions that will ensure your children and pets won’t be harmed. Furthermore, such specialists will be bound by rigorous industry safety regulations and guidelines which ensure their products are safe for humans. Whenever in doubt, or should a member of your family (including your pets) suffer from certain medical conditions, it is always best to speak to your pest control expert who will be able to take such factors into consideration and provide guidance before treating your home. 3 – Do I need to leave my home during fumigation? Here again, the answer will largely depend on the variety of pest your home is being treated for. Most pest control experts recommend staying away from your home for around two to four hours after fumigation. In rare cases, you may be required to stay outside your home for up to 24 hours. However, it may also be completely fine for you to stay at home during the procedure should the products be entirely safe. It is also common for pest technicians to ask you not to approach areas that have been treated for anywhere between 30 mins to an hour to ensure the treatment has had ample time to take effect. 4 – How do I prepare before my home is fumigated? It is always recommended to ensure your home is clean and clutter-free before pest control begins the fumigation process. Move furniture or appliances away from corners of rooms to give the technician easy access to treat such areas. Also, keep countertops clear and be sure to cover or store away any food. Mopping or vacuuming floors and wiping down surfaces is never a bad idea as it may get rid of pest eggs or droppings. If you have babies or young toddlers in the home, be sure to store away or cover up any cribs and toys. Children tend to put things in their mouths, so it’s best to reduce the risk of them coming into contact with objects that have been exposed to pesticides. Your pest technician will be able to provide more preparation tips specific to your home and pest problem. 5 – How quickly does pest control treatment work? While the exact timeframe will depend on the pest in question, in most cases you’ll notice the effects within the first few days after fumigation. In some cases, you might see an initial increase in pest activity within your home after treatment. This isn’t a cause for alarm and is actually a good sign. That’s because it shows the pesticides are working and have begun to disrupt the pests’ normal habits, causing them to perish. While pesticides are highly effective, some pests are extremely tenacious, which may require several visits from the professionals in order to fully eradicate the problem. Are you experiencing a pest problem in your home? Then there’s no time to lose! Contact a verified pest control specialist today.  
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Guides & Advice

Real Estate Licence Malta

About time you say? With the Maltese islands rife with “Real Estate Agents” it seems there is no better time to regulate the profession with a licence. With no qualifications, no previous experience in the sector, anyone is able to start working in real estate in Malta. We cannot open our social media without a house to rent or a property to sell filling up our news feed. It has become a shark’s den full of hungry sharks searching for their next bite of commission. Very often this role is paid with high commission and a low salary. This can make for a very profitable venture for the Estate Agent businesses, although for the hungry representative who is trying to feed themselves, it can become a battle to the death. Many work multiple jobs to look after their families, on top of working online in the evenings posting properties. This role can be arduous. Having to wade through the tire kickers to find the genuine customer who is serious on making a move. With this mentality comes a host of issues for all involved. The lessee the lessor or the seller & buyer. Unfortunately, Estate Agencies only worsen the problem by offering a low basic salary or none at all. Of course, there is a risk for any company working with sales representatives in an industry with high staff turnover. They too as a business are searching through representatives to find the hot shot. The person who has a natural talent for sales and therefore is profitable for the company. As we know, any business is only as good as its staff. However some have found a way to get around that risk by passing it on the customers and the staff. By following the law and not providing a commission only role, they often offer an “allowance” to be deducted from any commission the representative earns. The system then can lead to many sales representatives running up a debt with their employer and ultimately leaving the role. This leaves minimal risk to the business. The other alternative offered to many representatives is to become self employed. Home (businessfirst.com.mt) We can usually see the publics mood by watching our social media channels and boy has this become a problem for the Maltese residents. Our concerns and complaints had previously been restricted to friends and family and maybe a post on our private social media outlets. That all changed in June 2020 when a Facebook group called (2) Landlords to Avoid in Malta | Facebook was created. In only a few months this group has grown to a following of over 6000 people. As you look through the site the posts seem to be mainly complaints of deposits not being returned, and lack of service from Real Estate agents. The validity of these is up to the viewers discretion. A good example of these posts is this lady who has put together her experience of renting in Malta. The Worst Experience as a Tenant in Malta | Lost Right For Deposit | Agency’s Refusal for a refund – YouTube We wonder what has this set up done to public trust in the industry? With the arrangement as it is, we have found ourselves searching through hundreds of representatives looking for the right agent. When it comes to rentals, many seem to look for the property, not the agent. This gives the Landlords the risk of renting their property to unsuitable tenants. The risk also exists for the lessor searching for a fair and honest landlord. With disagreements and unsuitable matches happening everyday Housing Authority – Home (gov.mt) is here to give both parties a platform for fair ruling. What can the agencies do to improve this reputation of sell and run?  Training, training and more training is required. Finding a suitable property for a lessee or a buyer is already a stressful process. We would like agents who take our needs into consideration and make the effort to sell/lease us homes that are right for our needs. This will then lead a loyal customer base. A few have achieved this level of trust already, unfortunately many more have not. Thank goodness for the Real Estate Licence! This new ruling could not come at a better time. Giving customers the knowledge that their representative is qualified to provide the service sold. With a deadline of June 2021 things are looking in the right direction for the industry. MCAT are offering these licences MCAST Gateway to industry. The team at Checkyourtraders.com believe in customer satisfaction and as of June 2021 we will only allow Estate Agents with this licence to list as a Verified listing. So always be aware and protect yourself and your money by using a Verified Estate Agent
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Guides & Advice

How To Rent Safely In Malta

Never rent an apartment without viewing it first This may sound like a “no brainer”, but you’d be surprised how many people actually do.  Photos and images from online listing are all well and good to give an indication but never sign on the dotted line until you have viewed property in person. Always sign a written contract Never agree to working with a “Verbal Agreement” this is a recipe for disaster in the long run. Identify and meet owner Always request to meet owner before making a decision on your choice of home. This relationship is critical moving forward so work out early who you are dealing with. Use a credible letting agent Do your research. There are many choices when it comes to agents in Malta, make sure you choose an agent that is going to offer a full service not just be there at the beginning to take their commission. Making use of search engines, social media and asking locally will give you a good idea of who to use and who to avoid. You want to make sure that you Agent will be there for you if something does go wrong. Communication is a clear insight into the future when dealing with Agents, if they are not capable of replying to your enquires on time, listening to your property requirements and then arranging viewings of properties that meet you requirements then avoid. Avoid dealing with cash only requests If landlord/agent requests cash only take this as a warning sign that something could possibly be amiss. Check current market rates Avoid overinflated prices. Again a little research goes a long way.  Make sure the property gives value for money and is consistent with the Market. Check above and around This is a must to avoid. With Construction happening everywhere you look in Malta make sure you look around the property for potential construction in the vicinity. Check for Public Notices and planning permission certificates to give you a clear understanding of what is ahead. Also check with the building itself to see if Airspace is available and if there are any plans to build.  Particularly important when selecting a Penthouse Apartment. Ask for landlord references from previous tenants The best way to find out what the landlord is like is by talking to previous tenants. References go both ways. Make sure the landlord agrees to register you with the utility services (Arms Ltd) When you take a Lease on a new property make sure that the Landlord completes the Form H required to register the number of persons who will be residing at the property to ensure that you will enjoy the same discounted rate of water and electricity that the locals enjoy.  If you are not registered with the Utility Service as residing at the property you will be charged at the higher domestic rate, rather than the residential rate, which is a considerable difference of between 25 to 30 percent. Always do a walk through on the day of move in Walk through with Landlord and identify any issues with the property, document and take photos if possible. Avoid any issues of mould regardless of how small. Make sure your agent is familiar with the housing regulations (January 2020) In January 2020 the Government introduced new housing regulations in relation to the Letting of Properties on the Island.  When choosing an Agent, make sure that that Agent is not only familiar with those New Regulations but can explain their effect and ensure they are included in the final Lease Agreement. Here at letslet we are fully conversant with the new regulations and are happy to take the time to explain their impact/effect upon the landlord/tenant and to guide you through all septs to find you that perfect home!
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