UNSAFE water supplied from a borehole, mould, faulty boilers, a lack of smoke detectors and a hole in a ceiling are among the rental struggles reported by Islanders so far this year, a Scrutiny panel has revealed.
The anonymous case studies were highlighted by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, which has also suggested considering fines for landlords if they breach rental regulations. The panel has been examining Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf’s plans for a landlord licensing scheme.
Deputy Renouf has said he is trying to introduce the scheme to help ensure “fundamental” safety standards for rented properties.
A draft law, the principles of which were backed by the States Assembly earlier this year, will be debated further on Tuesday 7 November.
Members voted by 34 votes to ten to support Deputy Renouf’s plan to license landlords and give officers the power to enforce minimum standards of rented accommodation that were introduced in 2018.
The regulations underpinning the proposed law are being reviewed by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, which has now published a series of recommendations and proposed several amendments, as well as highlighting various “cases” that Citizens Advice Jersey have dealt with so far this year (listed below).
The panel has suggested that a helpline should be provided by government “to support both tenants and landlords in relation to licensing queries” as well as any concerns raised “regarding poor rental accommodation conditions”.
It also said the government should “consider the benefits or otherwise of introducing fixed penalty notices” for landlords who fail to comply with the law, although it notes that a “grace period” should be applied before fines or prosecutions are pursued – to allow landlords to become “familiar” with their obligations. The amendments put forward by the panel include a proposed exemption of licensing fees for social housing providers and a bid to include lodging houses within the draft regulations.
Deputy Steve Luce, the panel’s chair, said: “There is little question in the panel’s mind that poor conditions in rental properties do exist and that this should be addressed.
“However, the review set out to answer to what extent the proposed licensing regulations would achieve this without having a detrimental impact on the private rented sector.”
He added: “Although we can’t predict with complete certainty whether the private rented sector will be adversely affected or not, we believe the recommendations and amendments we have proposed will help mitigate such a risk. We hope the minister will take these into consideration prior to the States’ debate.”
