During a meeting held on the 29th of November 2013, between Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, Patricia Graham, of the ‘Up in Arms Group’ and James Davis CEO for ARMS, it was announced that every ARMS Ltd consumer, would be treated as a Maltese National.

Patricia Graham said it was “a massive and welcomed saving for those on the current Domestic rate of 35-60% higher. There would be no differentiation in nationalities when it came to utilities, and everyone would be treated equally. The ‘A’ ID card would be accepted or the e-res-card or a passport.”

Patricia Graham added that “it became obvious that this information was not to be announced to all consumers, and only those who followed media stories and social networking sites would be aware of this.

“Therefore, ‘Up in Arms,’ flooded social networking sites and the Media with the information, meanwhile informing the EU of this untenable situation, which resulted in ARMS taking an advert in the Malta Times at the end of 2013 informing consumers of the ‘Application for Residential Tariffs for all residents in Malta’ and inviting those not currently registered, to fill in Form H and apply.”

The Group said that they do not know of any other media outlets carrying this classified advert.

Ms Graham pointed out that “what this advert failed to mention was that all residents are not included in this decision, all residents are not being treated equally and filling in Form H is an absolute waste of time if you are landlord billed. ARMS will not accept registration at a property that does not carry the tenant/residents, name on the bill, or if the landlord is averse to registering on behalf of the tenant/resident, these people are condemned to the higher Domestic tariff, many of whom are now looking for alternative properties.”

The Goup said that “Residential Tariffs are applicable to one primary residence, ‘The Residential Tariff’ is applicable to the consumers primary residence only.”

“If your home is your primary residence, and this affects 1000’s of tenants all over the Islands, you are entitled to register for the residential rate, so why is this directorate not being adhered to? Why does it matter who owns the property?” The Group asked.

‘Up in Arms Group’ called on those affected “to register with ARMS Ltd now as the consumer,” adding, “that if you are a resident of Malta and are currently being denied the residential rate for your primary residence, then please contact armsclassaction@gmail.com.”

The Group are also calling on people to contact them if, “as an EU National, married to a Maltese National, you are being required to apply for a ‘Freedom of Movement’ certificate, in order to apply for the e-res-card. As an EU National you are not required to obtain a ‘Freedom of Movement’ certificate.”

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