Reform asks Housing Minister to commit to protecting tenants displaced by Storm Ciaran

Sunday 12 November 2023

The Reform Jersey leader has challenged the Housing Minister to commit to ensuring that islanders who had already paid a month in rent when the hurricane-force storm hit would be refunded.

In response to Deputy Sam Mézec's query, Deputy David Warr said he had no knowledge of the procedure in that scenario.

However, he reiterated that his Government would “step in” to assist with their financial arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

Deputy Warr also said: "We are adamant that no one will be made homeless."

He further reminded islanders to "make sure they are properly insured" rather than treating the Government as a "backstop", and confirmed that there was no timeline yet for the reconstruction of St Clement properties.

The Housing Minister made these comments earlier this week in response to a question in the States Assembly from Deputy Rob Ward, who asked what financial and other support was available to private tenants should their homes be damaged and become uninhabitable or partially uninhabitable.

Pictured: Housing Minister, Deputy David Warr.

More than 150 islanders remain displaced, many of them from St Clement and St Martin, after a tornado – believed to be the most powerful recorded in the British Isles for almost 70 years – paved a trail of destruction through the east of the island.

Deputy Warr said: "The residential tenancy law has provisions in place to cover the sort of scenario where a unit becomes uninhabitable and tenants are not required to pay rent when it is uninhabitable."

He continued: "The Council of Ministers has paid for temporary hotel accommodation for those displaced until this point, and any further financial support will be on a case-by-case basis.

"We are ready to support tenants on their housing needs and are already working hard to support residents."

Mike Jackson, Constable of St Brelade, said he had been "made aware" of some St Clement residents displaced from an Andium property who were "forced to squeeze in with their parents" and asked about the responsibility of States housing providers in these scenarios.

Deputy Warr said: "Andium Homes endeavour to rehouse its residents, but are struggling with the amount of additional accommodation available to rehouse individuals, and hotel accommodation is Plan B."

Pictured top: The damage to a property in Princess Place, which was hit by the strongest tornado the British Isles has seen in 70 years. (Rob Currie)