New laws come into effect at midnight tonight, putting the onus on landlords to ensure all rented homes are safe and fit to live in.
The States approved the legislation earlier this year, saying it was part of the bigger plan to improve housing across the island.
The Legislation, as a part of the Guernsey Housing Plan, was passed by the States in March, with both tenants and landlords said to agree that this was needed.
It means landlords now face legal obligations to ensure properties meet basic standards, including safe drinking water, structurally sound buildings, essential facilities like an indoor toilet, and adequate heating.
Landlords will also need to make sure they’re providing safe electric, gas, and oil installations and they’ll need to ensure full compliance with fire safety requirements.
A new Housing Health and Safety Rating System will assess risks like damp, mould, extreme temperatures, poor lighting, and fall hazards. The States says the aim is to fix issues collaboratively, with enforcement only likely to be chased when serious breaches occur.
Tobin Cook, Guernsey’s Director of Environmental Health, suggests this is a proportionate way to work with landlords.
“When the States approved this new legislation in March, it was a crucial step towards improving the quality of homes within Guernsey’s rental market.
“There are many well-looked after and safe units of rental accommodation, but there are still people who are living in entirely unsafe and dangerous homes. This legislation coming into effect provides a proportionate way to work with landlords to see the quality of our housing stock improve across the island, making more homes available to be safely lived in.”
