SOME landlords who recently paid for a rented-dwellings licence are due to be refunded the £30 fee.
Landlords who purchased their licence but already held a 3*, 4* or 5* rating on the former Rent Safe scheme can now apply for a refund for those properties, the government has confirmed.
Environment Minister Steve Luce previously pledged not to leave “out of pocket” those who had already achieved this accreditation.
Initially, the law did not allow for the licence fee to be waived, but the government said a system has now been set up to provide refunds to those who are eligible.
It added that fees would only be waived for their first licences and not for future ones.
From 1 August, it became illegal for a landlord to rent without a licence and properties may need to be inspected beforehand.
The licences, which cost £60 and are valid for two years, are attached to the property itself – meaning that if the property is sold the licence will transfer to the new owner.
The Rented Dwellings Licensing Scheme, launched in May, was backed by States Members last year.
It was brought forward by former Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf, who wanted to give officers the power to enforce minimum standards of rented accommodation that were introduced in 2018 – and aim to better protect and improve rental properties in Jersey.
The Jersey Landlords’ Association has since criticised the roll-out of the scheme, branding it “disorderly” and raising concerns over the application process and an alleged lack of consultation around industry guidance.
