The Estate Management Directorate plays a central role in the management of public property across Malta and Gozo. Rather than focusing on specific initiatives or schemes, this article outlines the Directorate’s core functions. The Directorate is composed of a number of sections, each with clearly defined responsibilities that collectively cover a broad range of areas, including the Agricultural Sector, Local Councils, Sports, Encroachments, Government Entities, as well as the handling of disposal requests submitted by members of the public.

In addition, the Directorate also includes sections that support and service the wider operations of the Lands Authority, namely Valuations, Technical Services, Property Registration, and Records. Together, the Directorate processes an average of approximately 3,000 applications each year, mainly relating to property transfers, as well as requests and enquiries concerning government-owned properties.

Core functions of the Directorate

One of the principal functions of the Estate Management Directorate is managing property transfers. Property being one of the most valuable assets within the Maltese Islands, this process is extensive and demands careful oversight.

On submission of an application, a team of vetting officers thoroughly reviews all prerequisites to ensure that documentation submitted is both accurate and complete. Once an application clears this initial vetting stage, the Records section determines the ownership status of the property in question. If the property is confirmed to be government-owned, the application advances to the relevant section, where a case officer report is prepared for review by either the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Governors, as the case may be. Simultaneously, the Technical Services section commences work by drawing the necessary plans, while the Property Registration section ensures that the property is duly registered at the Land Registry in the name of the Government of Malta.

Once all the necessary approvals have been obtained, the Valuations Section assesses the property's value for disposal in accordance with the Government Lands Act - Chapter 573 of the Laws of Malta. The final step in this intricate process is the Contracts Directorate, which formalises the transaction through the publication of a deed or lease agreement between the applicant and the Lands Authority.

This overview, while oversimplified, underscores the myriad of steps involved, as some cases may require longer processing times than others. As it is entrusted with the responsible management of public property, the Directorate’s emphasis remains not solely on volume but on maintaining the highest standards of quality.

Providing information on government property

Another significant function of the Directorate is managing requests for information related to government properties. This aspect of its mission is central to the overarching goals of the Lands Authority. In recent years, the Directorate has transitioned from a property-centric system reliant on manual record-keeping to a fully digitised platform. This transformative journey has been bolstered by its state-of-the-art Geographic Information System (GIS).

"Today, the majority of its properties are represented as parcels on our geoportal, allowing users to access detailed information simply by clicking on the map. The portal enables the Directorate to provide faster, more efficient, and more accurate services to clients," asserts Mr Agius. 

While acknowledging the remarkable progress, the Directorate recognises that further work is required. Its commitment to completing this digitisation process swiftly remains steadfast, as it aims to leave a legacy of transparency and efficiency for future generations.

The team: The heart of the directorate

The Estate Management Directorate believes its success lies with the unwavering dedication of its team. Consistently exceeding expectations, these individuals often work extended hours and treat each case with the utmost care, as if it were their own property. Their collaborative efforts in brainstorming sessions have led to streamlined processes, innovative initiatives, and enhancements in legislation and online services.

"In this context, it is important to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our late colleague, Dario, who recently passed. His legacy will remain in the significant strides in the Government Entities Section which he spearheaded. The Directorate extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and honour his memory," says Mr Agius.

The team’s extraordinary dedication deserves recognition. In 2024, the Directorate processed 32 per cent more applications than in 2023, and in 2025, it managed to achieve a further 19 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

The Directorate is consistently improving its processes from submission to completion so that the public is as best served as possible. With continued effort and commitment, it seeks to uphold its responsibility to manage Malta’s public assets with integrity and efficiency.

Mr Josef Agius is the Chief Officer of the Estate Management Directorate at the Lands Authority, a role he has held since 2023. He built his career through the ranks of the Public Service prior to the transition of the Government Property Department into the Lands Authority and brings extensive experience in property management, particularly in the valuations sector. He was instrumental in the introduction of technology-supported practices to enhance transparency and governance and played a key role in establishing the Valuations Committee, now widely recognised as a leader in the field. His methodical and metrics-driven approach has been central to the significant improvements achieved by the Lands Authority in recent years.