Government Notices published in Govt. Gazette No. 20,748 of 10th December 2021

Appointment of Members of the National World Heritage Sites Technical Committee

It is hereby notified for general information that the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government has approved the appointment of the members of the National World Heritage Sites Technical Committee for a period of three (3) years with effect from 5th November, 2021, as follows:

Chairperson

Mons Joseph Vella Gauci

Members

Mr Kurt Farrugia

Mr Noel Zammit

Mr Norbert Gatt

Perit Chris Borg

Perit Michelle Piccinino

Mr Joseph Magro Conti

Mr Claude Borg

Dr Ray Bondin

Secretary

Mr Matthew Sultana

The Director General Standards and Metrology Institute notifies that, on the date shown hereunder, the price of gold and silver on which valuations made by the Consul for Goldsmiths and Silversmiths are based has been fixed for the purposes of article 14 of the said Act as follows:

A Once-Only Grant on the Purchase of a Bicycle and a Pedelec Bicycle

IN ORDER to encourage the use of clean means of transport while, at the same time, encouraging physical exercise, the Minister for Finance and Employment has made the following scheme.

1. Interpretation

In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means any person who is a resident in Malta. When the applicant is under the age of 16 as on the date of application, one of the parents or the legal guardian must apply on his/her behalf;

'effective date' means 1st January, 2022;

'Malta' means the islands of Malta;

'person' means a natural person and does not include any organisational entity;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card And Other Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or equivalent documentation issued by a competent national authority;

'fiscal receipt' means a receipt as defined in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Value Added Tax (Chap. 406), as subsequently amended, and also includes any regulation made by the same Act;

'bicycle' means any bicycle that is not a motor-powered bicycle and includes also a pedelec bicycle, which is an electric pedal cycle which must be pedalled and which electric motor assists the cyclist only when the cyclist is pedalling. A pedelec bicycle does not possess a throttle and its electric motor must have an output not exceeding 250 watts. The kerbside weight of the pedelec bicycle must not exceed 40 kg and 60 kg in the case of a pedelec tandem bicycle;

'purchase price of the bicycle' means the total purchase price of the complete bicycle including VAT, however excluding any additional parts or accessories and which purchase price have been paid in full by the applicant prior to applying for this grant.

2. Area of applicability

This scheme applies to the expenditure that is incurred once only on the purchase price of the bicycle by the applicant, and which bicycle is purchased by the applicant on the effective date or afterwards during the duration of this scheme. Persons who have already benefited from the grants of the previous schemes related to the purchase of a bicycle which appeared as a Government Notice No. 1095 of the Government Gazette of the 9th December, 2008, as a Government Notice No. 91 of the Government Gazette of the 28th January, 2011, as a Government Notice No. 278 of the Government Gazette of the 7th April, 2015, as a Government Notice No. 1231 of the Government Gazette of the 15th December, 2015, as a Government Notice No. 38 of the Government Gazette of the 8th January, 2017, and as a Government Notice No. 11 of the Government Gazette of the 5th January, 2018, as a Government Notice No. 8 of of the Government Gazette of the 4th January, 2019, as a Government Notice No. 1470 of the Government Gazette of the 15th of November, 2019 and as a Government Notice No. 1480 of the Government Gazette of the 18th December, 2020, are excluded from applying for this scheme.

3. Expenditure to be reported

The expenditure to be reported is in respect of the purchase price of the bicycle as defined in section (1) above.

4. Manner of application and supporting documents

Applications under this scheme shall be made only via the official electronic portal/s which may be indicated from time to time for this purpose.

For this purpose, the applicant shall furnish the details of the invoices/fiscal receipts and any further documentation required to be submitted as required on the indicated portal. Provided that, the original fiscal receipts/invoices and relevant documentation shall be kept by the applicant for a period of not less than two years from the date of application and produced upon request to the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue for verification purposes.

Failure to produce any such documents upon request the applicant will be obliged to refund the amount paid under the scheme and in the case of a fraudulent application criminal action in terms of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken against him.

In the case of a bicycle not purchased from Malta the original invoice issued by the supplier indicating the type of bicycle purchased, together with the delivery note, the original documentary proof that final payment has been effected, and clearance from Maltapost/Department of Customs Malta as may be required, must be retained by the applicant for a period as stipulated above. These documents must confirm that the bicycle was really purchased; that the purchase price of the bicycle which price includes duty and VAT as may be required was really paid in full; that such a purchase was effected by the purchaser for the purchaser; and that the bicycle was delivered to the applicant's residence. The purchased bicycle must also have a certificate of conformity with EU standard safety regulations, as may be required.

Only those applications that are found to conform with the provisions of this scheme shall be eligible for payment of the grant referred to in section 5 of the scheme.

Applications under this scheme, including the details of the documents required, should be submitted by not later than three months from the purchase of the bicycle.

Applications received 'late', that is after the three month period, shall be demed to be invalid applications.

5. Grant payable under this scheme

Eligible applicants may apply for a once-only grant of 15.25% on the purchase price of the bicycle subject to a maximum grant of €85 in the case of a non- mechanised bicycle and a maximum grant of €250 in the case of a pedelec bicycle.

6. Payment of Grant

The grant will be credited to the applicant, or to the parent/s/legal guardian/s in the case of applicants under the age of sixteen, in the bank account that is indicated in the application.

7. Validity of application

An application shall not be deemed to be valid unless:

it is full and complete in all material aspects;

it is accompanied by all the  relevant details as required;

is submitted to the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue via the official electronic portal by not later than three months from the date of purchase of the bicycle as is stipulated in Section 4 of this scheme.

8. Duration of the scheme

This scheme has a definite duration and will start as from the 1st January, 2022, and end on the 31st December, 2022, unless this scheme is not modified/terminated by means of a Notice in the Government Gazette and shall be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister for Finance and Employment and as such shall be thus published in another Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Amendments to the scheme

The Minister for Finance and Employment Services reserves the right to make any amendments to this scheme by the publication of the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

Government Grant on the Purchase of Bicycles and Pedelec Bicycles by Companies that Offer such Bicycles for Hire

IN ORDER to encourage the use of clean means of transport while, at the same time, encouraging physical exercise, the Minister for Finance and Employment is launching the following scheme.

1. Interpretation

In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means the registered company or registered self employed person applying for the grant under this scheme and who is the purchaser of bicycles or pedelec bicycles and that offers such bicycles for hire;

'application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme;

'effective date' means 1st January, 2022;

'grant' means the grant being given under this scheme to the purchaser of a bicycle or pedelec bicycle which satisfies the requirements of paragraph 4;

'fiscal receipt' means a receipt as defined in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Value Added Tax (Chap. 406), as subsequently amended, and also includes any regulation made by the same Act;

'registered company' means any commercial company registered in Malta with the Malta Business Registry (MBR).

'Malta' means the islands of Malta;

'Minister' means the Minister responsible for Finance and Employment;

'businesses' means any commercial company including partnerships registered in Malta with the Malta Business Registry (MBR) or a self-employed person in accordance to National Law or a cooperative society;

'registered self-employed' means, for the purpose of this scheme, any person who resides in Malta and is registered with Jobsplus, the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue and has a trade licence from the Commerce Department;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who either holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or who has a residence permit or equivalent documentation issued by the national competent authority;

 'bicycle' means any bicycle that is not a motor-powered bicycle and includes also a pedelec bicycle, which is an electric pedal cycle which must be pedalled and which electric motor assists the cyclist only when the cyclist is pedalling. A pedelec bicycle does not possess a throttle and its electric motor must have an output not exceeding 250 watts. The kerbside weight of the pedelec bicycle must not exceed 40 kg and 60 kg in the case of a pedelec tandem bicycle;

'Member State' means a Member State of the European Union;

'European Union' has the same meaning as is assigned to it by article 2 of the European Union Act (Cap. 460), and includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein;

'purchase price of the bicycle' means the total purchase price of the complete bicycle including VAT, however excluding any additional parts or accessories and which purchase price have been paid in full by the applicant prior to applying for this grant;

2. Area of applicability

This scheme applies to the expenditure that is incurred on the purchase price of the bicycle or pedelec bicycle by the applicant, and which bicycle is purchased by the applicant on the effective date or afterwards during the duration of this scheme.

3. Expenditure to be reported

The expenditure to be reported is in respect of the purchase price of the bicycle or pedelec bicycle as defined in section (1) above.

4. Manner of application and supporting documents.

Applications under this scheme shall be made only via the official electronic portal/s which may be indicated from time to time for this purpose.

For this purpose, the applicant shall furnish the details of the invoices/fiscal receipts and any further documentation required to be submitted as required on the indicated portal. Provided that, the original fiscal receipts/invoices and relevant documentation shall be kept by the applicant for a period of not less than two years from the date of application and produced upon request to the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue for verification purposes.

Failure to produce any such documents upon request the applicant will be obliged to refund the amount paid under the scheme and in the case of a fraudulent application criminal action in terms of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken against him.

In the case of a bicycle or pedelec bicycle not purchased from Malta the original invoice issued by the supplier indicating the type of bicycle or pedelec bicycle purchased, together with the delivery note, the original documentary proof that final payment has been affected, and clearance from Maltapost/Department of Customs Malta as may be required, must be retained by the applicant for a period as stipulated above. These documents must confirm that the bicycle or pedelec bicycle was really purchased; that the purchase price of the bicycle or pedelec bicycle which price includes duty and VAT as may be required was really paid in full; that such a purchase was affected by the purchaser for the purchaser; and that the bicycle or pedelec bicycle was delivered to the applicant. The purchased bicycle or pedelec bicycle must also have a certificate of conformity with EU standard safety regulations, as may be required.

Only those applications that are found to conform with the provisions of this scheme shall be eligible for payment of the grant referred to in section 5 of the scheme.

Applications under this scheme, including the details of the documents required, should be submitted by not later than three months from the purchase of the bicycle.

Applications received 'late', that is after the three month period, shall be demed to be invalid applications.

5. Grant payable under this scheme

Eligible applicants may apply for a grant of 15.25% on the purchase price of bicycles subject to a maximum grant of €85 per non-mechanisedd bicycle and a maximum grant of €250 per case of pedelec bicycle. This up to a capping of €7,500 per applicant.

6. Payment of Grant

The grant will be credited to the bank account indicated by the applicant in the application.

7. Validity of application

An application shall not be deemed to be valid unless:

it is full and complete in all material aspects;

it is accompanied by all the  relevant details as required;

is submitted to the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue via the official electronic portal by not later than three months from the date of purchase of the bicycle as is stipulated in Section 4 of this scheme.

8. Duration of the scheme

This scheme has a definite duration and will start as from the 1st January 2022, and end on the 31st December 2022, unless this scheme is not modified/terminated by means of a Notice in the Government Gazette and shall be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister for Finance and Employment and as such shall be thus published in another Notice in the Gazette.

9. State Aid

This scheme will be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid, OJ L 352/1 of 24 December 2013, as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/972 of 2nd July 2020 amending Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013 as regards its prolongation and amending Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 as regards its prolongation and relevant adjustments, OJ L 215/3 of 7 July 2020.

Companies and self-employed persons applying for these grants should make sure that they are within the limits of State Aid and will have to fill the attached form on State Aid.

10. Amendments to the scheme

The Ministry for Finance and Employment reserves the right to make any amendments to this scheme by the publication of the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

SCHEDULES

Schedule A – State Aid Declaration Form on page 12,995 to 12,996.

Grant on the Restoration and Finishing of Privately Owned Residential Properties

The Ministry for Finance and Employment has launched the following grant scheme, that aims to promote investment in the restoration and finishes of privately owned residential properties within Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs), properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

1. Interpretation

In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means any person who is a resident in Malta, who is 18 years or over on the date of application, who is officially recognised as being the owner of a private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) property, or the owner of a private residential property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for more than seven years, or the owner of a new private residential property built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which person is applying for a grant under this scheme;

'competent authority' means a board or other entity designated or appointed by the Minister responsible for finance for the purpose of this grant.

'effective date' means the 12th October, 2021;

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

'application' means an application for the grant under this scheme made in such manner as required and in terms of this scheme;

'property' means, properties that are within an UCA, properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which property is used by the applicant for residential purposes only;

'privately residential property' means a building owned by a private person and which property is used for private residential purposes only;

'new properties' means properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

'finishing works' means, the final part of the construction process, which includes the exterior and interior finishing of the building including plastering and painting, electricity and plumbing, tiles and marble, internal and external doors, windows and bathrooms.

'person' means a natural person and does not include any organisational entity;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and Other Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or equivalent documentation issued by a competent national authority;

'fiscal receipt' means a receipt as defined in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Value Added Tax Act (Cap.406), as subsequently amended, and also includes any regulation made by the same Act;

'eligible expenditure' means the total final costs including VAT that has been paid in full, directly related to the restoration, and finishing, works on the private residential property and which works are completed and paid for within the eligible period.

Eligible expenditure includes the cost of works performed in conjunction with the scheme, comprising cost of:

a. materials,

b. labour,

c. hire of equipment,

d. professional fees (architect's fees, specialist consultancy, project management costs) - these shall be capped at maximum rate of 10% of the total eligible expenditure applied for in each application.

e. planning permit fees and other government charges that are directly related to restoration and finishing.

'Urban Conservation Area (UCA)' means an area within the Maltese Islands that is legally designated as an area of buildings having collective heritage value according to Article 57 of the Development Planning Act of 2016, as subsequently amended and in accordance with the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) TO8 UO2, UO3 and others and as listed in the Local Plans.

'works' means any works aimed at the restoration and finishing of private residential properties in Urban Conservation Area (UCA), property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for seven years, and property that are built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

2. Area of applicability

(i) This scheme relates to the eligible expenditure that is incurred by the applicant and is directly related to the restoration and finishing of privately owned properties as defined in section one.

(ii) This grant applies for those who are going to buy or already have these types of properties and wish to restore and finish these properties and for those who have already bought the property prior to the Budget 2022 presented on the 11 October 2021 and have done restoration and finishing works starting from 12 October 2021.

(iii) A property that benefits from the grant cannot be divided, whereby the number of residential units will remain the same. If the property is subsequently re-developed into separate residential units, the applicants will have to refund the full amount of the grant paid to them under this Grant.

(iv) An applicant can apply for the grant on multiple properties, where he/she will get an aggregate maximum of €54,000 on each property. Consideration will be given to applications for grants related to the completion of different work phases that fall in between the commencement of works and their complete termination, whereby during the period between 12th October 2021 and the 31st December 2024, an applicant can apply twice under the grant, for each property subject to the aggregate maximum threshold of €54,000 on each property.

(v) Furthermore, the applicant cannot apply for another grant for the same type of restoration and finishing works on the same property, within five years from the award of a grant under this scheme or under any other similar schemes, issued by the Maltese Government or any public entity.

(vi) Any works performed under this scheme must be covered by a valid PA development permit, where applicable an approved Restoration Method Statement, and other authorisation as required by law.

(vii) Applications involving one or more items listed in the list shown hereunder shall not be considered:

(a) Sanctioning of unauthorised works,

(b) sites that have a pending PA enforcement cases or a pending regularisation application;

(c) development illegalities;

(d) demolitions;

(e) restoration/conservation of movable objects, artefacts or furnishings;

(f) reinstatement and reconstruction where there are lack of historic evidence of detail and design (Applicable for properties in UCAs);

(g) alterations, additions, and improvements which do not qualify as restoration or finishing.

3. Expenditure to be reported

The expenditure to be reported is in respect of works of restoration and finishing as defined in section one (1) of this scheme

4. Manner of application and supporting documents required:

Applications under this scheme shall be made only via the official electronic portal/s and must contain all the information, details and documents as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme and any other documents which the Ministry responsible for finance, may, from time to time require.

In cases where an applicant intends to apply for the grant on more than one property, he must submit a separate application for each property the applicant is applying for.

(i) Applications are to be accompanied by the documents shown hereunder:

(a) Submission of a certificate issued by the PA certifying that the property falls within a UCA, in accordance with article 57 of the Development Planning Act or any Act which may be substituted therefor (Only applicable for properties in UCA);

(b) Fiscal receipts in the name of applicant, showing payments made by the applicant on goods purchased and works carried out related to restoration and finishing of property. The fiscal receipt must also include the address of the property being applied for in the submitted application;

Furthermore, each fiscal receipt is to be accompanied by invoices containing details of goods purchased or services given to the applicant including the applicant's details;

(c) When it comes to properties that have been built for more than twenty years and have been vacant for more than seven years, applicant must also submit the appropriate documents issued by ARMS that confirms that the property was in fact vacant for more than seven years and an architect's certificate certifying the date the property was built. This document does not need to be submitted in cases where the property on which the claim is being made was acquired after the 11th of October 2021.

(d) When it comes to new properties, the applicant must submit a Certification from the competent authority appointed by the Ministry responsible for finance confirming that the property was built and finished according to the established guidelines.

(ii) Applications are to be accompanied by all the required documents listed above. The applicant must also provide any other document which the Ministry responsible for finance, may from time to time require. An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted unless it is full and complete in all material respects and unless it contains all the information and is accompanied by all the documentation requested therein.

(iii) Only those applications that are found to conform with the provisions of this scheme shall be eligible for payment of the grant referred to in section 5 of the scheme. In the case of a fraudulent application criminal action in terms of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken against the applicant.

(iv) The applicant has a period in between 12th October, 2021 and 31st December, 2024 where one can apply twice under the grant for each property.

(v) For a period of not less than two years from the date of last submitted application applicants may be requested to present the original documents upon which the claim is being made. Failure to produce any such documents upon request, applicants will be obliged to refund the amount paid under the scheme and in the case of a fraudulent applications criminal action in terms of article 309 of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken.

5. Grant payable under this scheme

Eligible applicants may apply twice for each property for a grant of 18% on the costs of restoration and finishing up to an aggregate maximum of €54,000 for each property.

6. Payment of Grant

The grant will be credited to the applicant, in the bank account that is indicated in the application.

7. Amendments to the Scheme

The Ministry responsible for finance reserves the right to make any amendments to this scheme by the publication of the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

8. Duration of the scheme

This Scheme shall be deemed to have commenced on the 12th October, 2021 and shall remain in force till the 31st December, 2024. This scheme may be modified or terminated by means of a Notice in the Government Gazette and shall be renewed as deemed necessary through another Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Transitory Provisions

Applications made under this scheme relating to the eligible expenditure incurred in the restoration and finishes of a property, and which works were carried out during and between the effective date and the date of publication of this notice, shall be deemed to be valid applications under this scheme.

Grant for First Time Buyers

The Ministry for Finance and Employment has launched the following grant scheme, that aims to incentivise and assist first time buyers that purchase residential properties within Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs), properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

1. Interpretation

In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means any person who is a resident in Malta, who is a first-time buyer and officially recognised as being the owner of a private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) property, or the owner of a private residential property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for more than seven years, or the owner of a new private residential property built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which person is applying for a grant under this scheme;

'competent authority' means a board or other entity designated or appointed by the Minister responsible for finance for the purpose of this grant.

'effective date' means the 12th October, 2021;

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

'application' means an application for the grant under this scheme made in such manner as required and in terms of this scheme;

'First time buyers' means those persons acquiring their first immovable property, acquired inter vivos and which is intended for their sole ordinary residence. No other property should have been bought before.

'property' means, properties that are within an UCA, properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which property is used by the applicant for residential purposes only;

'privately owned residential property' means a building owned by a private person and which property is used for private residential purposes only;

'new properties' means properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

'person' means a natural person and does not include any organisational entity;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and Other Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or equivalent documentation issued by a competent national authority;

'Urban Conservation Area (UCA)' means an area within the Maltese Islands that is legally designated as an area of buildings having collective heritage value according to Article 57 of the Development Planning Act of 2016, as subsequently amended and in accordance with the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) TO8 UO2, UO3 and others and as listed in the Local Plans.

2. Area of applicability

(i) This scheme relates to eligible applicants that are acquiring their first immovable property. The property for which the grant is being applied for must be the applicant's first immovable property acquired inter vivos by the applicant and is acquired for sole and ordinary residence and which property is a privately owned residential property as defined in section one, which property was purchased from the effective date or afterwards, as proven by date on deed of Acquisition of property.

(ii) To be eligible for the grant applicants must be compliant and have first registered their contract with the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue in terms of Legal Notice 461 of 2021, Relief from Income Tax and from Duty on Documents and Transfers on Certain Property Transfers Rules, 2021 and as per article 13 of the Legal Notice have submitted legal proof and a declaration that they are first time buyers and that this is their first immovable property acquired inter vivos in line with the requisites of Article 3 of Subsidiary Legislation 364.12, Exemption of Duty in terms of Article 23 Order.

This Grant applies to eligible properties that were purchased between 12th October, 2021 and 31st December, 2024. However, when it comes to owners of new properties, they can only apply for the grant once the property is built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

This Grant also applies to those that on the 12th of October 2021 were on a promise of sale (konvenju) and had not yet closed the contract.

(iii) The property that benefits from the scheme cannot be divided, whereby the number of residential units will remain the same. If the property subsequently re-developed into separate residential units, the applicant will have to refund the full amount of the grant paid to them under this Grant.

(iv) Only one property per applicant is eligible to qualify for support under this scheme and an applicant can only be eligible for a grant under this scheme once.

4. Manner of application and supporting documents required:

Applications under this scheme shall be made only via the official electronic portal/s and must contain all the information, details and documentation as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme.

(i) The applicant must also provide any other document which the Ministry responsible for finance, may from time to time require. An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted unless it is full and complete in all material respects and unless it contains all the information and is accompanied by all the documentation requested therein.

(ii) Only those applications that are found to conform with the provisions of this scheme shall be eligible for payment of the grant referred to in section 5 of the scheme. In the case of a fraudulent application criminal action in terms of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken against the applicant.

(iii) When it comes to owners of a private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) property or the owners of a private residential property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for more than seven years, applications under this scheme, should be submitted by not later than three months from the purchase of the property as evidenced by the date on deed of acquisition of property. Applications received 'late', that is after the three months period, shall be deemed to be invalid applications.

(iv) For a period of not less than two years from the submitted application applicants may be requested to present the original documents upon which the claim is being made. Failure to produce any such documents upon request, applicants will be obliged to refund the amount paid under the scheme and in the case of a fraudulent applications criminal action in terms of article 309 of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken.

5. Grant payable under this scheme

Eligible applicants may apply for a maximum grant of €15,000 if the property purchased is in Malta and a maximum of €30,000 if the property purchased is in Gozo.

The actual amount allocated will be established on a pro rata basis according to the share of the property being acquired.

6. Payment of Grant

The grant will be credited to the applicant, in the bank account that is indicated in the application.

7. Amendments to the Scheme

The Ministry responsible for finance reserves the right to make any amendments to this scheme by the publication of the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

8. Duration of the scheme

This Scheme shall be deemed to have commenced on the 12th of October, 2021 and shall remain in force till the 31st December, 2024. This scheme may be modified or terminated by means of a Notice in the Government Gazette and shall be renewed as deemed necessary through another Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Transitory Provisions

Applications for the grant that cover the period between and during the effective date and the date of publication of this notice, shall be deemed to be valid applications under this scheme provided that the application falls within the eligibility criteria.

In these transitory cases, when it comes to private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) properties or private residential properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, applications shall be submitted within three months from the date of publication of this Notice.