Tenants set to benefit from twin plans to change law

Saturday 15 April 2023

Jersey's Housing Minister has announced plans to gives tenants more protection — just days after his predecessor also proposed rent control measures aimed to outlaw "exploitative practices" — with the twin strategies set to come before the States Assembly at the same time next month.

At the sitting starting on 2 May, Members look likely to be debating a paper from Deputy David Warr, and plans put forward by Reform Jersey party leader, Deputy Sam Mézec.

Deputy Warr said the main aim of his move was to provide more rights and protections for tenants and landlords in a "broadened and improved" law.

Pictured: Both proposals include introducing open-ended tenancies to offer more security of tenure and protection against so-called 'revenge evictions'.

Writing on Twitter, Deputy Mézec said the Government paper on the subject "vindicates most of the policies I have proposed" and provided "good grounds" for members of the Government to support his proposition.

Government white paper on rental reform which has just been published, vindicates most of the policies I have proposed in my latest rent control proposition.

This should give them good grounds for supporting my proposition, so they have the mandate to get on with it.

— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) April 14, 2023

Deputy Warr said his approach set out how the scope of the Residential Tenancy Law would be broadened and improved, including:

• introducing open-ended tenancies to offer more security of tenure and protection against so-called ‘revenge evictions’.
• Increasing minimum notice periods for tenancies.
• Limiting the amount and frequency of rent increases during tenancies.
• Establishing a new Housing Tribunal to consider a 'wide range' of residential tenancy issues.
• Formalising requirements for social housing provision.

Deputy Warr said: “In my ministerial plan, I made a commitment to bring forward proposals that will improve residential tenancy issues in Jersey.

“Planning is already underway – with law drafting instructions in place – and which I will consider updating after I have heard people’s views.

“I want to see comprehensive improvements to the level of protection afforded to both tenants and landlords, and I’m pleased to be able to now share details on how I propose to take this forward.”

Islanders will be able to give their views at gov.je/consultations ahead of a closing date of 9 June.

The minister added: “I am determined that this [consultation] will not delay the delivery of this vitally important new legislation.”