Landlords’ ‘no children’ policies to be banned

Friday 23 July 2021

Landlords will be stopped from refusing to rent to people because they have children, from next week.

Back in 2018, the States Assembly overwhelmingly supported in-principle Deputy Montfort Tadier’s proposition to stop families with children under 18-years-old being discriminated against in the rental housing market.

This week, three years later, States Members finally gave their backing to the move coming into force as part of the Discrimination Law, following a consultation held by Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin to gather views.

She explained that the new law heralded the end of “unfair” discrimination against parents, and noted that the only exceptions to the rule would be where properties are physically unsafe for children.

42 States Members voted in favour, and one person against: St. Mary Constable John Le Bailly. Five Members were absent.

It was heralded as a “great decision” by the Children’s Commissioner, who shared the story of Jaya (13), which was featured in the ‘Life on the Rock’ report, as an example of the impact the change will have on young families.

This is a great decision. Thank you from Jaya and lots of other Jersey children @GovJersey @StatesAssembly https://t.co/oSDotPNSlJ pic.twitter.com/MumyNApFGG

— Deborah McMillan - Children's Commissioner (@ChildComJersey) July 21, 2021

CLICK HERE to see the vote breakdown.