REVEALED: Who is being suggested for a Rent Tribunal role… and how many are landlords?

When it comes to setting up a Rent Tribunal, there’s always one question that comes up fast… how many landlords are going to be sitting on it?

Ahead of a planned law change coming into force later this year, Housing Minister Sam Mézec – who, as a backbencher, strongly opposed the previous incumbent’s nominations – has nominated 11 Islanders to serve on Jersey’s new Rent Tribunal.

He is asking the States Assembly to support his suggested appointments for a chair, two deputy chairs and eight panel members to the tribunal, who will be expected to follow the updated Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Law.

Their appointments are expected to be voted on later this month.

Why is a Rent Tribunal being set up?

In September, Deputy Mézec successfully brought forward changes to Jersey’s Residential Tenancy Law, introducing new rights for tenants – including a cap on rent rises at RPI – and providing for a Jersey Rent Tribunal to hear appeals against rent increases.

The idea of a tribunal isn’t a new one – in fact, it dates back to 1946 – but Jersey hasn’t had one in operation for many years, which the minister is hoping to reverse.

The tribunal’s chair and deputy chairs must hold a law degree or equivalent qualification and ideally have at least five years’ experience practising as an advocate or solicitor in Jersey.

Panel members are required to have experience in housing and tenancy matters, with expertise in tenants’ rights, landlord issues or consumer affairs considered desirable.

Chairs and deputy chairs will be paid £400 per half-day sitting, while panel members will receive £150 per sitting.

Deputy Mézec described the nominations as offering “a strong mix of professional expertise, community insight and practical experience”.

“Establishing this tribunal is an important step in delivering the improved protections and clearer processes envisaged in the updated residential tenancy legislation,” he added.

Further information about how the tribunal will operate and how islanders can access it is expected closer to its launch.

A politically sensitive appointment

The composition of a rent tribunal has previously proved controversial.

In 2022, when a panel was proposed by then Housing Minister David Warr, Deputy Mézec criticised the line-up as being “stacked with landlords” – warning that it risked undermining tenants’ faith in the system.

The new nominations will now be scrutinised by States Members when they come up for debate next month.

The proposed tribunal

Rose Colley – Chair

Rose Colley has been nominated as chair of the tribunal.

A qualified English solicitor since 1988 and a Jersey Advocate since 2000, she recently retired after 25 years as an Advocate at Viberts. Between 2020 and 2024, she served as President of the Jersey Law Society.

Her public service record includes serving as chair of the Jersey Consumer Council. Earlier in her career, she tutored at the Institute of Housing Management and, as a councillor for the London Borough of Southwark, sat on its Housing Committee and acted as a board trustee for two London housing associations.

She is also a tenant.

Jonathon Barham – Deputy chair

Jonathon Barham, a partner at Collas Crill in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team, has been proposed as a deputy chair.

Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2002, admitted as an English solicitor in 2006 and as a Jersey Advocate in 2023, he has extensive advocacy experience in residential tenancy disputes, including cases involving unpaid rent, deposit returns and housing disrepair.

He also sits as a Deputy Chair of the Commissioners of Appeal for Tax, hearing applications by Revenue Jersey and taxpayer appeals.

He is both a tenant and a UK landlord.

Tim Hart – Deputy chair

Tim Hart, a consultant for Jersey Finance, has also been nominated as deputy chair.

Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1995 and admitted as a non-practising Jersey solicitor in 1996, he was previously a property law partner at offshore law firm Appleby from 2000 to 2020.

His practice covered commercial and residential property matters, including leases and tenancies, secured lending, insolvency, regulatory advice and wills and probate. He is an adjunct lecturer in immovable property at the Institute of Law, Jersey.

He is a homeowner and a Jersey landlord.

Samantha Ainsworth – Panel member

An English solicitor with more than 20 years’ legal experience in-house and in private practice, Samantha Ainsworth has worked extensively in contracts, litigation and regulated sectors.

She has 17 years’ experience as a private landlord in the UK and has also rented property, including in Jersey after relocating in 2024. She is a homeowner and a UK landlord.

Matthew Beddoe – Panel member

Matthew Beddoe is a lay member of the Jersey Youth Court and a director and compliance officer at Annexio Jersey Ltd, with more than 35 years’ experience in compliance and over 20 years at director level.

He has experience as both a landlord and tenant and is a homeowner and Jersey landlord.

Luciano Brambilla – Panel member

Luciano Brambilla is a retired property manager who spent 16 years managing 16 rental properties under LFB Property Management.

He has also served as a board director, registered compliance officer and professional adviser in regulated financial services. A former chair of the Jersey Compliance Officers Association (2019–2020), he holds a Graduate Diploma in Law.

He is a homeowner, Jersey landlord and was a member of the Jersey Landlords Association at the time of recommendation.

Joseph Carney – Panel member

A Chartered Building Engineer, Joseph Carney is semi-retired with nearly 50 years’ experience as an independent surveyor and property consultant.

He has acted as an expert witness in Jersey courts and previously worked as a civil servant in building, development and planning in Jersey and in the London boroughs of Hounslow and Hammersmith and Fulham.

He is a tenant.

Stephanie Constantine – Panel member

Stephanie Constantine is managing director of Camfra Ltd and has more than 40 years’ experience managing a portfolio of properties.

She previously worked as a civil servant in the former Housing Law Department of the States of Jersey. She is a homeowner, Jersey landlord and was a member of the Jersey Landlords Association at the time of recommendation.

Sarah Gaudion – Panel member

Sarah Gaudion is chief financial officer at Livingroom Group estate agency, overseeing governance, compliance, risk and decision-making in a regulated environment.

A chartered accountant with 20 years’ experience, she is a homeowner.

Samuel Putka – Panel member

Samuel Putka is managing director at Troy’s Estate Agency Ltd, with more than 10 years’ experience in lettings, property management and valuations.

For the past five years he has operated at senior director level, overseeing strategic decision-making, compliance and complex property matters. He is an associate member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a homeowner.

Sabrina Stewart – Panel member

Sabrina Stewart is a non-executive director and chair of a UK-based social housing provider.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in senior governance, risk and regulatory roles, including compliance and anti-money-laundering regulation.

She also sits as a member of the Employment and Discrimination Tribunal.

She is a homeowner.