Nine-year rental rule scuppers appeal tribunal progress

Thursday 24 November 2022

Plans to form a rent control tribunal have been paused after it emerged that the board may only be able to hear appeals from those who have lived in the same place for more than nine years.

States Members were originally due to vote on the membership of the panel today.

However, Montfort Tadier was successful in securing a 'reference back' – with 23 votes to 18 – after arguing that it was not clear which law the tribunal would operate under.

The Dwelling-Houses (Rent Control) (Jersey) Law 1946 provides for the States to appoint a Rent Control Tribunal, but the law does not apply to lettings for a term of less than nine years.

Housing Minister David Warr will now have to go away and obtain information about the law underpinning the tribunal.

Deputy Tadier said there was "no point appointing a board if you're setting them up to fail"

Deputy Sam Mézec said: "I would place bets on how many cases would come before the tribunal and that would be close to zero. It poses the question, what is the point in appointing people to a body with no powers?

"It sends out an unhelpful message to the public and there is another risk which occurs here and that is if a tenant goes to a tribunal they will be putting a big target on their back for their landlord to subject them to a revenge eviction."

More to follow in tomorrow's JEP...