The Housing Minister has sought to reassure landlords that the overhaul of Jersey’s rental law won’t “unduly disadvantage” those who aren’t doing anything wrong, as the new legislation is set to take effect next month.
Deputy Sam Mézec also said that the Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Amendment coming into force on 15 April was designed to have “decent transitionary arrangements”, and that those who didn’t pick up on the changes right away would not necessarily “get in trouble”.
Approved following a landmark States Assembly debate last year, the updated legislation includes provisions to stop landlords from raising rent more than once a year, limit rent increases to the rate of inflation (RPI), limit the use of fixed-term tenancies and allow tenants to challenge unfair rent hikes through a new Rent Tribunal.
To support “awareness and understanding” of the reforms, two public engagement events are set to take place next week.
The first is an in-person meeting at the St Helier Town Hall on Wednesday 1 April from 6pm to 7.30pm, while the second is an online webinar on Thursday 2 April from 12.45pm to 2.15pm.
Both events are bookable via the Eventbrite website and will allow islanders to put questions to Deputy Mézec, supported by his officers.
Even if there are people out there who don’t necessarily pick up on the changes right away, nothing bad will happen if nothing goes wrong
Housing minister Sam Mézec
Speaking to Express, the minister noted that: “The law was deliberately designed to have decent transitionary arrangements so people weren’t going to be hit with everything from day one.
“Provisions in the law are still hands-off provisions – the law didn’t introduce new licences or new forms to fill in, or new permissions.
“So even if there are people out there who don’t necessarily pick up on the changes right away, nothing bad will happen if nothing goes wrong.
“So if both landlord and tenant are still happy and it’s just an accidental thing that’s not in line with it, they’re not going to get in trouble over it.”
In the build-up to last year’s debate, the Jersey Landlords Association warned that some of its members were “considering selling some rental properties” if the reforms were implemented.
In September, JLA chair Guy Morris told Express that the Association would work with its members to help them “adjust” to the changes, stating that: “We fully respect the democratic process”.
Deputy Mézec stressed that “there is nothing in the law that unduly disadvantages a landlord who isn’t doing anything wrong” or in situations where they are dealing with a tenant who is in the wrong.
He added: “The law is coming into force, that’s unstoppable and it will happen – when people reconcile themselves to that fact and then go and check the law, they’ll be pleasantly surprised that it’s not as bad as what some people were telling them.”