Regulations passed by the States earlier this month prevent tenants from being evicted for not paying rent during the lockdown, and landlords from increasing rent, while also allowing tenants to extend leases.
In a further guidance notice, Senator Sam Mézec has urged tenants struggling to pay rent during the outbreak to write to their landlords, but they have to present evidence of financial hardship.
The minister said he had received many complaints about landlords, but has also had reports of tenants not communicating their difficulties and said things needed to change on both sides.
He said: ‘I have received many complaints, ranging from landlords being unreasonably insensitive in their language and behaviour to their tenants, to threats of outright illegal behaviour. This is shameful and these people need to buck up and start acting responsibly in a health crisis.
‘Conversely, I have also had reports of tenants who are not talking to their landlords to explain to them when they are facing difficulties.
‘They are only causing problems for themselves and their landlords if they don’t keep clear communications with them.’
After 30 September, landlords are able to deal with rent arrears in the usual way – by serving notice for a breach of tenancy and
applying to the court in order to evict a tenant.
Senator Mézec believes the regulations that have gone through the States Assembly and the guidance offer a fair balance to both landlords and tenants.
He added: ‘With housing costs in Jersey being so high, and so many people working reduced or no hours at all, we need to offer all the support we can.
‘Throughout this difficult time, we expect landlords and tenants to be honest, transparent and reasonable in how they communicate.
‘This guidance offers a balanced approach to help them do so.’
