Islanders who rent their homes are being asked to share their views on a sweeping set of reforms proposed by the Housing Minister, aiming to rebalance the rights of tenants and landlords.
The proposals, which include rent caps, extended notice periods, and limits on contract types, have been described as the “biggest overhaul” in more than a decade.
If approved by the States Assembly this summer, Deputy Sam Mézec’s planned reforms would stop landlords from being able to raise rent more than once a year.
They would also limit rent increases at the rate of inflation (RPI) and cap them at 5%, allow tenants to challenge unfair rent hikes through a new Rent Tribunal, and limit the use of short fixed-term contracts and extend notice periods for tenants.
The plans are now being reviewed by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, which is asking tenants to help shape its final recommendations by taking part in a short public survey.
The panel of politicians has already started receiving submissions from landlords and stakeholders but says it wants to hear directly from renters about how the proposed reforms could affect them.
Vice Chair Deputy Tom Coles said: “This is legislation which will have an impact on both tenants and landlords and it is important that we investigate whether it achieves its aim of improving the situation for Islanders who rent their property but also whether there are any unintended, negative consequences as a result of those changes.
“To do that, we want to hear from all sections of the community and call on tenants to take our survey and share their views with us to inform our review and any recommendations which might come from it.”
This is legislation which will have an impact on both tenants and landlords… we want to hear from all sections of the community
Deputy Tom Coles
The survey is being translated into Portuguese, and there will be two sessions with the Portuguese community in May with a translator able to assist the panel.
Panel members will be in the Central Market at lunchtime on 1 May to listen to the views of the public.
The panel will hold a public hearing with the Minister for Housing on 7 May.
HAVE YOUR SAY…
Members of the public can take the survey here or if they prefer, they can write to the panel by emailing scrutiny@gov.je.
