The Lands Authority, formerly known as the Lands Department, is the entity responsible for property belonging to the Government of Malta. It handles the expropriations and purchase of property by the Government, tenders and sale of government property, collection of ground-rent due on such property, and other matters. The Joint Office is the entity responsible for property that was transferred from the Church to the State in terms of an agreement between the Holy See and Malta.
The Land Registry, which is administered by the Land Registration Agency, is responsible for the registration of titles to land. Less than half of all property in Malta is in a registration area. However, the majority of property belonging to the Government of Malta, the Housing Authority, and property formerly belonging to the Church is registered at the Land Registry.
Ethan Brincat 