JERSEY’S Housing Minister has hailed a decision to approve his plans for a major overhaul of the Island’s Residential Tenancy Law as “a huge vindication”.
Debate over Deputy Sam Mézec’s proposals, which included plans to stop landlords from raising rent more than once a year, limit rent increases to the rate of inflation (RPI) and cap them at 5%, limit the use of fixed-term tenancies and allow tenants to challenge unfair rent hikes through a new Rent Tribunal, concluded on Friday.
It was subject to amendments – including a successful bid by Deputy Jonathan Renouf to remove the 5% cap – but the States Assembly ultimately approved the proposals in the final reading by 31 votes to 13 with one abstention.
Speaking to the JEP afterwards, Deputy Mézec said he was “absolutely delighted,” describing the legislation as “the biggest and hardest challenge” he’d taken on during his time as Housing Minister.
He continued: “To have finally got this over the line is a huge vindication and a great platform now to move on and start protecting renters in our rental market.”
The core of the proposals was initially debated in July, but States Members agreed to postpone any decision until this month – by voting in favour of a procedural move to refer it back to the Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel for review.
At the time, Deputy Mézec branded the decision as “a deliberate act of sabotage”.
But speaking to the JEP yesterday, he said: “No matter how we got there, I am delighted with the victory.”
Deputy Mézec also thanked the “outstanding team” who had worked on the proposals.
In a statement, he added: “I will now be turning my attention to bringing the Law to life for Islanders, as quickly as possible.
“Additional legislation will be progressed to step-up the Rent Tribunal and recruit members, and I also want to ensure high quality guidance is available to support Islanders in a seamless transition to the new Law, in due course.
“I will be continuing to work constructively with landlords, tenants and the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Panel as this work is progressed.”
States Members spent hours poring over the details over the minister’s proposition, including knocking back an amendment from Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache, who had made no secret of the fact he was attempting to significantly water down the plans.
The debate began on Tuesday afternoon but was paused for two days to allow revised paperwork following the amendments to be circulated to Members, before the debate was concluded yesterday.
