Major changes to the island’s rental laws have been passed after a lengthy States debate which initially began on Tuesday afternoon.
Housing Minister Sam Mézec faced a battle to get his proposed Residential Tenancy Laws over the line with the Assembly split on the proposition, which survived a self-professed “wrecking” amendment from Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache.
After pausing the debate to allow revised paperwork following amendments to be circulated to Members, the Assembly resumed this morning having reached more of a consensus following a couple of concessions from the Minister.
The most notable was an amendment by Deputy Jonathan Renouf to remove a 5% cap for rent rises that formed part of the law changes put forward by Deputy Mézec. It was supported unanimously by the 46 Members participating.
In closing the debate, the Housing Minister said that the Assembly had “landed on a package that worked”.
“If this law is adopted, I will do everything I can to make it work. There are still bits that will need to come to the Assembly and I will engage with Members and scrutiny to get that right”, added Deputy Mézec.
Members had been torn on the proposals with several arguing that the new law created more red tape for landlords and risked driving some out of the market.
Deputy Barbara Ward said she felt that there could be “a risk to our economy”, while Deputy Moz Scott added it would “reduce confidence” in the market by potentially affecting the supply of rental properties.
After a series of tight votes which could have derailed the proposition, the Assembly ultimately approved the proposals in the final reading by 31 votes to 13 with one abstention.