However, the Housing Minister, Deputy Russell Labey, submitted an amendment to the proposition stating he would bring forward proposals to improve security of tenure as part of his review of the Residential Tenancy law.
Pictured: Senator Sam Mézec said his proposals would have given tenants “greater security” and “comfort”.
Senator Mézec rejected the amendment arguing that tenants do not have sufficient rights, as evidenced by what happened at Spencer Close, where tenants were given three months to vacant the homes some of them had been living in for decades.
He argued that the Housing Minister’s amendment deprived the Assembly of the opportunity to debate the issue, making it a waste of members’ time
“It shouldn’t be a horrible inconvenience for people to have more notice,” he said. “Most landlords would say fair is fair.
“I don’t accept the proposition will have unattended consequences that will make the situation worse for tenants.”
He urged members to reject the amendment arguing it wasn’t fair the Minister asked them to reject the proposition and “trust him he’s doing the right thing”.
Deputy Rob Ward described the amendment as a “watering down” which meant the Housing Minister wouldn’t do what his own report said was needed.
Meanwhile Deputy Montfort Tadier noted the “clumsy” wording of the amendment which promised to bring forward proposals to “improve security of tenure protection”.
He said the Minister was looking for excuses to reject a “perfectly logical” proposition which fell in line with what he wanted to do himself.
Pictured: Deputy Russell Labey said the Government shouldn’t use its powers in an “autocratic way”.
Deputy Labey said the Senator’s proposals were “not democratic” and that the Government shouldn’t use its powers in an “autocratic way” without consultation.
He said he was “really very surprised” at the way the debate had proceeded. He strongly denied there had been any link between Senator Mézec’s proposals and the tenancy law he issued instructions for.
He said the proposals were asking him to do something he was already doing, adding “but I want to do it the right way”.
“We are on the brink of disaster for some people,” he said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen. We do know that tenants’ rights under the current law are very, very weak… We also know the vast majority of our landlords are excellent very good landlords… They are fed up with the Government and ready to chuck the towel if they get anymore monkey business from us.”
Deputy Labey assured his proposals would balance the tenants’ rights whilst making things better for landlords.
Deputy Labey’s amendment was adopted with 34 votes in favour and 11 against. The amended proposition was then adopted with 40 votes pour and six against.
In a post shared after the debate Senator Mézec shared his disappointment at the outcome.
“Today the States voted for a wrecking motion to remove all of the relevant words from my proposition to leave nothing substantial left,” he wrote.
“So I wasn’t even allowed to have a debate on this. It was a big shame, and shows that most of our politicians just have no interest in making life better for people who can’t afford to buy their home.”
Earlier in the day the Assembly had thrown out plans to make it mandatory for all landlords to sign up to a rating system measuring the standard of their accommodation.