• The paper explains the Minister’s drive to update the Residential Tenancy Law
• The plans provide more rights and protections for tenants and landlords
• States Members will give their feedback on the paper in an In-Committee debate in May
The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, has published his plans to give tenants and landlords in Jersey more rights and better protections through changes to residential tenancy legislation.
The Minister’s paper, Improving Residential Tenancies in Jersey, sets the agenda for improvements to legislation, with today’s publication also marking the start of an eight-weekpublic consultation.
The paper explains the proposed approach for updating the existing Residential Tenancy Law and sets out how the scope of the Law will be broadened and improved. Key proposals include:
• Introducing open-ended tenancies, offering 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 that will consider a wide range of residential tenancy issues
• Formalising requirements for social housing provision
The paper sets out the direction of travel proposed by the Minister, who wants to ensure that policy and legislative development is shaped by open and transparent engagement with Islanders. States Members are due to share their thoughts on the paper during an In-Committee debate scheduled for 2 May.
Deputy David 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.
“I’m keen to ensure fellow States Members, tenants, landlords and all Islanders are able to help shape this work through engagement and consultation. It is vital that we work together to secure the right outcome for Islanders, on an issue of such great importance to Jersey.
“I encourage people to have their say via the online consultation and look forward to hearing from States Members in the upcoming In-Committee debate. I am determined that this will not delay the delivery of this vitally important new legislation.”
The consultation launches today and runs for eight weeks. Islanders can have their say via www.gov.je/consultations between now and 9 June.
Government of Jersey News Release