'Landlord licences' proposed to stamp out shoddy rentals

Friday 31 May 2019

Islanders could be better protected from illness and injury from sub-standard properties and homelessness through 'revenge evictions' under new plans for a landlord licence scheme.

The government has brought forward proposals for a compulsory scheme for all rental properties that, for the first time, would allow it to create a register of the location of all private rented homes on the island.

Following on from the current voluntary Rent Safe scheme, which is used to ensure landlords meet minimum standards, the new licence system would involve landlords applying for permits and having to conduct regular property inspections.

The initiative, officials say, will help prevent islanders from suffering ill health or injury due to the poor standards of their rented homes.

Pictured: If it gets the go-ahead, the scheme will be mandatory for all landlords.

“The most common hazards in a home relate to falls and excess cold. Licensing enables the early identification of these hazards during compliance visits. There are also specific licence conditions relating to the safety of gas and electrical installations, the provision of smoke detectors and where appropriate carbon monoxide detectors; and the adequacy of arrangements for carrying out repairs to properties. Poor housing means lower life chances for our residents and understanding the impact of poor housing conditions on health outcomes and mitigating this is a key strategic housing objective for the Island,” a consultation paperreads.

It also argues that such a scheme would help prevent ‘revenge’ and ‘no fault’ evictions, which often come about when tenants complain of property defects – despite having followed all rules and paid their rent on time.

“If a property isn’t licenced the landlord would have no legal ability to re-let the property until a licence was obtained, which could only be achieved if the property meets minimum standards. This reduces the risk of eviction following complaint and provides the tenant additional time for an alternative to be found,” the paper explains.

Pictured: Properties left in a state of disrepair can have an adverse effect on health.

As well as suggesting that the scheme would “prevent unsuitable accommodation from coming to the market” because landlords would have to bring it up to standard before being able to obtain a licence, the paper concludes that licensing may also “contribute positively to the island’s economic growth.”

“This will raise the quality of the private rented offer in Jersey, create greater confidence in the sector and will increase the attractiveness of Jersey as a place to live and work,” it states.

Landlords who successfully apply for a licence would have to provide their tenants with a copy of it 28 days into their occupation.

Under the terms of the licence, they would also have to provide details as to how they can complain about disrepair, pests or security emergencies within 14 days of their tenancy.

Pictured: Tenants would have to be provided with a written complaints procedure by their landlords under the scheme.

Regular inspections, recorded in writing, would also have to be undertaken, and landlords would be obliged to provide tenants with 24 hours’ written notice of their intention to enter the property on any occasion.

Visits would have to be within “reasonable hours” and have a sufficient reason.

Safety of furnishings and equipment inside any rental home would also have to be guaranteed in a written declaration to Environmental Health.

But the plans are not yet set in stone. They have been put out for consultation, and islanders – landlords, tenants, and the general public – are being invited to share their views.

Pictured: Islanders will be able to share their thoughts on the scheme in a meeting at the town hall.

Director of Environmental Health, Stewart Petrie, commented: “The purpose of the consultation is to get public feedback on the proposal for introducing this licensing scheme. It will help ensure minimum standards for the quality of housing provision continue to be met in the private rental market. We welcome all feedback whether from a landlord, tenant, managing agent or interested member of the public.”

Islanders can share their thoughts on the proposals online and are also invited to attend a series of public meetings at St. Helier Parish Hall on Tuesday 11 June from 09:30 to 11:00 and 17:30 to 19:00. Anyone wishing to attend should click here.