Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said that research was needed to discover whether this was a significant issue influencing the Island’s housing market.
Last week, Deputy Russell Labey and Citizens Advice chief executive Malcolm Ferey said putting an end to the practice could help mitigate a growing housing crisis.
Senator Farnham said: ‘Ministers have agreed to look into how many buy-to-let flats are being bought by non-residents. The Island has a shortage of housing and the last thing we need is properties standing empty while absentee owners leave them vacant to grow in value.
‘We do not know the extent of this problem, but we will certainly investigate whether or not it is a significant issue.
‘Anecdotal evidence would suggest that many buy-to-let owners are local residents who rent their properties to other residents, and we want to continue to encourage inward investment into our economy.’
A report into projected housing needs in Jersey issued in January found that around 7,000 additional homes will be needed by 2030.
More than half of the pre-sold units in the new Horizon Development on the Waterfront have been buy-to-lets. Of the 145 units sold so far, 82 have been sold to investors – of which four were to non-Jersey residents.
