It took a few minutes for debate over what has been billed as the “biggest overhaul of residential tenancy legislation in more than a decade” to get underway in the States Assembly yesterday afternoon – as politicians were first required to reveal whether they are also landlords…

Before Housing Minister Sam Mézec could begin his opening speech about his proposed changes to Jersey’s Residential Tenancy Law, the island’s legal framework for residential tenancies, a number of backbenchers, Constables, Ministers and Assistant Ministers stood up to declare an interest.

If approved, Deputy Mézec’s draft legislation would stop landlords from raising rent more than once a year, limit rent increases at the rate of inflation (RPI) and cap them at 5%, as well as limiting the use of fixed-term tenancies and allowing tenants to challenge unfair rent hikes through a new Rent Tribunal.

While some groups like the Citizens Advice Bureau have welcomed the proposals, they have been met with pushback from the Jersey Landlords Association and estate agents, who say they fear it could spark an exodus from the market, as well as former Bailiff Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache, who said the plans were “misconceived and ideologically driven”.

Introducing his plan yesterday, Deputy Mézec told States Members that they now had an opportunity to “set the wheels in motion for delivering a fairer and more credible framework for renting in Jersey”. 

Deputy Mézec continued: “We have the opportunity to say to the 46% of households who rent their homes in Jersey that we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you – that we believe that security and affordability are not luxuries. They are rights that every islander should be able to count on while trying to live their lives, support their families and invest in their own futures. 

“And we have the opportunity to say to the countless good landlords in Jersey that the days of having your reputation undermined by the minority who exploit legal loopholes are coming to an end. 

“That is what the vote today is about.”

So, which States members declared that they were landlords or tenants? Here is the list, and the moment they all made their declarations, which was handily clipped into a video by the Housing Minister himself…

Landlords

The following States Members stood up to declare that they were landlords themselves or via a company that acts as a landlord:

  • Deputy Philip Ozouf
  • Deputy Ian Gorst
  • Deputy Hilary Jeune
  • Deputy Rose Binet
  • Deputy Steve Luce
  • Deputy Tom Binet
  • Constable David Johnson
  • Deputy Alex Curtis
  • Deputy Kristina Moore
  • Constable Marcus Troy
  • Deputy David Warr
@sammezec

Every time the States of Jersey debates anything concerning renting out properties, members have to declare any potential conflicts of interest. Here’s what happened today at the start of the debate on improving security for renters… #ReformJersey #channelislands #jersey #politics #reform #housing #rentersrights #landlords

♬ Silenzio – serieturcheanna

Other interest in a property

Some States members declared that their spouse was a landlord:

  • Deputy Monty Tadier
  • Deputy Inna Gardiner
  • Constable Simon Crowcroft

Tenants

Five States members declared that they were only tenants:

  • Constable Richard Honeycombe
  • Deputy Max Andrews
  • Deputy Catherine Curtis
  • Deputy Karen Wilson
  • Deputy Sam Mézec

Constable Marcus Troy and Deputy Hilary Jeune said that they were both landlord and tenant.

Other declarations of interest

  • Constable Richard Vibert is a UK landlord and lets relatives live in a property he owns
  • Deputy Jonathan Renouf is a UK landlord and is in the process of probate, which means he will be a landlord in the future
  • Constable of St Ouen, Richard Honeycombe, said the parish owns and lets out 39 accommodation units
  • Deputy Andy Howell has a property that a relative lives in
  • Deputy Carolyn Labey is a reversionary owner of a property
  • In addition to being a landlord and a tenant, Deputy Hilary Jeune said she is Chair of Jersey Association of Youth and Friendship, a homelessness charity that owns properties

Follow Express for updates on the big rent reform debate, which continued this morning… and catch up on what is being proposed by listening to our podcast with Deputy Sam Mézec below…