Jersey sets out plans to reform rental market
Key areas include changing the standard forms of tenancy; introducing and enhancing minimum notice periods and limiting the amount and frequency of rent increases.
Jersey’s Minister for Housing and Communities has launched a consultation to seek views on proposals for a new Residential Tenancy Law.
Deputy David Warr, Minister for Housing and Communities, has set the direction of travel for the modernisation of residential tenancy legislation.
He wants to improve the existing Residential Tenancy Law, which will look to make enhancements to residential tenancies and broaden the scope of the law to include matters such as rent stabilisation, social housing provision and the introduction of a new housing tribunal.
Key areas include changing the standard forms of tenancy; introducing and enhancing minimum notice periods; limiting the amount and frequency of rent increases; establishing a new Housing Tribunal; formalising requirements for social housing provision and increasing the scope of Regulation and Order-making powers, to make sure the Law can be extended further and remains fit-for-purpose over the years ahead.
Whether someone owns or rents property, this does not change the fact that these are people’s homes.”
Warr says: “The rental market in Jersey plays a vital role for our communities in Jersey, providing homes for Islanders who either cannot afford or do not wish to own a home.
“Whether someone owns or rents property, this does not change the fact that these are people’s homes; a place where someone should feel safe and secure, have privacy, dignity, and certainty for the future.
“Since becoming Minister for Housing and Communities in July last year, it has become clear to me that whilst Jersey is fortunate to have many good landlords and tenants, there are many instances where the relationship hasn’t been working well and people have been treated unfairly.
“The legal frameworks for housing play a crucial role to ensure that we have both a well-functioning and well-regulated rental market, but these frameworks are not sufficient to meet our Island’s needs today.”
Read more about regulation in Jersey here.
Download the proposal document here.
“The rental market in Jersey plays a vital role for our communities in Jersey, providing homes for Islanders who either cannot afford or do not wish to own a home.” So instead of the Government providing the much needed homes put the load on the private landlord and make them pay for it. More likely to happen shrink the private housing market and increase the load on the Government who wont provide the homes
Jersey’s housing situation about to get a Lot worse then !