Govt to challenge Court of Appeal judgement on ‘unconstitutional’ 2013 housing law

The Gibraltar Government will challenge a Court of Appeal ruling that found a 2013 amendment to housing legislation, passed unanimously by the Gibraltar Parliament, was “unconstitutional”.

The Government yesterday confirmed it will take the matter to the Privy Council in the UK and defended the policy behind the legislation, which it said was designed to protect longstanding tenants in certain properties from rent increases.

It also dismissed any suggestion that the change had benefited Paul Balban, who was the Minister for Housing in 2013.

No.6 Convent Place insisted Mr Balban had publicly declared an interest at the time and removed himself from all stages of the legislative process.

Not only that, he continued to pay a higher rent for his property than required after the law was changed.

The issue at the heart of the case arose because landlords felt the 2013 amendment impacted unfairly on their rights and ability to receive reasonable income from their properties.

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