Deep divisions between opposing camps have resurfaced in the long-running battle to reform Jersey’s rent laws.

While Housing Minister Sam Mézec is seeking support for his proposed changes to the island’s Residential Tenancy Law, an immediate challenge came in the form of an amendment put forward by Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache during this morning’s proceedings in the States Assembly.

The representative for St Clement said that he pleaded guilty to Deputy Mézec’s accusation that he had brought forward a “wrecking amendment”.

Deputy Bailhache said he had made his move because the minister’s proposals were “so deeply flawed”, not based on data and “based on a misapprehension that something is badly wrong” with the current law.

“This is a frontal attack on the private rental sector and would make Jersey’s housing crisis worse,” he said. “The existing security for tenants provides the right balance between the rights of landlords and tenants.”

Deputy Bailhache described Deputy Mézec’s proposals as “a hugely complicated morass of rules and regulations”, saying that they treated landlords as potential criminals and took a “nanny knows best” approach.

This is a frontal attack on the private rental sector and would make Jersey’s housing crisis worse

Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache

Deputy Moz Scott sought support from Members for changes she was seeking to make to Deputy Bailhache’s amendment, a move described as “incoherent and based on flawed understanding” by Deputy Mézec.

After a discussion lasting an hour and 20 minutes, Members voted by 41-4 against Deputy Scott’s move, with her support made up of of Deputies Kirsten Morel and Barbara Ward, plus Constable Mike Jackson and her own vote.

A subsequent amendment to Deputy Bailhache’s amendment, put forward by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel in a bid to ensure clearer statutory measures, was backed by 28 votes to 19.

During the opening phase of the debate yesterday, lasting almost three-and-a-half hours, Deputy Mézec successfully gained the backing of the Assembly for the principles of his changes, ahead of subsequent debates on the details, including multiple amendments.

Deputy Mézec introduced his proposition by expressing incredulity that a pro-landlord lobbying group had described the measures as “rushed”, when in fact they had been in preparation for over five years.

Longer notice periods, limits on frequency of rent increases and a cap on how much landlords could increase bills are central parts of the legislation.

Some Members wanted to scupper Deputy Mézec’s proposition at the first opportunity, but others felt this would stifle debate.

Deputy Barbara Ward said the move would result in bringing in numerous “hoops and bureaucracy” for landlords wanting to regain control of their property after a tenancy, risking “long-term pain” for “short-sighted gain”.

But Deputy Jonathan Renouf said that not passing the principles would represent “a huge kick in the teeth” for those who had called for change, a sentiment echoed by Constable David Johnson, who said such a vote would be “a black mark for the Assembly and show a lack of respect for the electorate”.

Tenants need greater security, transparency and fairness, while landlords want confidence and clarity if they are to continue to keep providing homes

Deputy Hilary Jeune, chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel

Deputy Hilary Jeune, chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, said her panel was made up from across the political spectrum but had been unanimous in the recommendations made as part of a detailed and balanced review.

“Tenants need greater security, transparency and fairness, while landlords want confidence and clarity if they are to continue to keep providing homes,” she said.

“The law must work for both, because if we get this wrong the consequences may be serious, with fewer rental houses, higher insecurity and a system that fails the very people it is meant to serve.”

In the final act of the Tuesday afternoon session, Members voted by 29-19 to support the principles as proposed by the Housing Minister.

Six members of the Council of Ministers voted against Deputy Mézec yesterday: Deputies Ian Gorst (External Relations Minister), Mary Le Hegarat (Home Affairs Minister), Carolyn Labey (International Development Minister), Steve Luce (Environment Minister), Kirsten Morel (Economic Development Minister) and Tom Binet (Health Minister).