CONCERNS have been raised over whether the government took the safety of children into account before launching a scheme which will allow homeowners to earn up to £10,000 tax free by renting out spare rooms.
Fiona Vacher, executive director of the Jersey Child Care Trust, said organisations such as the Jersey Safeguarding Partnership Board and the children’s commissioner should have been asked to assess the initiative before its launch to ensure it would not put the safety of children in their own homes at risk.
The ‘Rent A Room Scheme’ was launched in response to data collected as part of the 2021 census that found that 4,000 homes were empty or under-occupied.
Tax relief is now available on rental income received for letting a bedroom.
Housing Minister David Warr said this week that homeowners could earn up to £10,000 tax free by renting out their spare room as part of scheme, and added he was confident the initiative would lead to more accommodation becoming available to address shortages in the rental market.
But Mrs Vacher questioned whether children’s safety had been taken into account.
She said: ‘It is a good idea but what consideration has been given to safeguarding children and young people in their own home?
‘Adults renting a room will be sharing other parts of a home – potentially with children – and there is a key concern around ensuring they are appropriate adults.’
She added: ‘Have the appropriate bodies sat down in a room and thought this through?
‘Organisations such as the safeguarding board and the children’s commissioner need to have considered the proposal, so that they could decide on what safeguarding measures should look like.
‘A DBS or police check only covers certain aspects of someone’s background and I think there are a number of steps that could be implemented to ensue someone is suitable for that room.’
Reform Jersey has also voiced concerns about the lack of safeguarding for tenants and landlords.
