Tenants' eviction protection ends

Wednesday 30 September 2020

Protection from eviction for tenants struggling to keep up with their rent will come to an end tomorrow.

Emergency measures were put in place earlier this year to ensure that no one was without safe accommodation during the virus crisis and the lockdown that followed.

In March, Jersey's Magistrate's Court took the decision to adjourn all eviction cases before the Petty Debts Court before law changes were made in April to protect islanders struggling to make ends meet and facing eviction as a result of covid-19.

But those measures are expiring today, and landlords are now allowed to evict tenants for not keeping up with their rent.

Pictured: The eviction protection was intended to ensure everyone had safe accommodation during lockdown and was not left in financial hardship due to the pandemic.

However, the Government has issued guidance advising that both parties try to reach an agreement before any legal action is taken.

“The emergency tenancy legislation was introduced during lockdown to protect tenants from financial hardship and to protect the Island’s health by reducing the number of people being forced to move house," Housing Minister Senator Sam Mézec commented. 

“The Court has wide powers to rule on tenancy matters, so it’s important that both landlords and tenants know and understand their rights and obligations for ending tenancies, and the correct way to seek an eviction.

"I would urge anyone who is in rental accommodation, or who is letting private property, to review the guidelines before taking any action, and to bear in mind that further support is always available from Citizens Advice and Environmental Health."