Jersey’s landlords declared more than £204 million in rental income in 2023 – working out at around £28,000 each.
A response to a request made under the Freedom of Information Law revealed that more than 7,340 taxpayers declared rental income for the 2023 assessment year – the year for which most complete data was available – while around one in four (1,990) claimed interest relief on buy-to-let mortgages.
Altogether, landlords claimed £19.5 million in mortgage interest and a further £54.7 million in other expenses – excluding the interest.
The data covers individuals and married couples, but not companies. It also includes rental income from both Jersey and overseas properties, covering everything from homes and offices to farmland – though not lodgers.
Officials noted that some taxpayers may be counted more than once if they separated during the year, meaning the true number of landlords could be slightly lower.
The figures offer a rare peek behind the curtain of Jersey’s private rental market – one of the island’s most hotly debated sectors.
In September, States Members approved major changes to the Island’s rental laws following a lengthy debate.
Members had been torn on the proposals with several arguing that the new law created more red tape for landlords – who had already complained of rents not increasing at the same rate as the costs of maintaining, repairing and insuring a property – and risked driving some out of the market.
Deputy and former Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache had argued that the rental reforms put forward by Housing Minister and Reform Jersey leader Sam Mézec were “ideaologically driven”, and also said that they were “potentially very damaging to the private rental sector and ultimately to Jersey’s economy”.
But the proposals were passed, though an amendment by Deputy Jonathan Renouf to remove Deputy Mézec’s proposed 5% cap for rent rises was approved.
The latest available house purchase statistics showed that 38 properties sold in the second quarter of 2025 were previously private rental properties.
A further 25 were purchased for the purposes of private rent – almost double the net change (13) of private rental accommodation than Q1 2025 (6 properties).
That resulted in a decrease of around 0.1% in private rental accommodation in Jersey.
The next House Price Index report, which includes details of rental properties, is due to be published on 6 November.