CHANGES to housing rules will make it easier for first-time buyers to move from a flat into larger family homes without bureaucratic hold-ups, according to the Housing Minister.
Deputy Sam Mézec said recent changes aimed to speed up the process, adding that he wanted to reassure younger Islanders that Jersey was a place where they could “live a prosperous life and start a family”.
He said: “Previously, anyone who wanted to regain first-time-buyer status would have to go through a bureaucratic procedure and formally ask my permission.
“Now this will be managed by the Housing Advice Service, who will deal with applications within five working days.”
Certain homes in Jersey are designated for first-time buyers to help Islanders get into the housing market.
Allowing people to still count as first-time buyers when they buy their second home gave those on lower incomes a “fighting chance” and also opened up smaller homes for other first-time buyers, according to Deputy Mézec.
“There are lots of first-time-buyer restricted homes on the market for prices which genuine first-time buyers would never be able to afford unless they were extremely well off,” he said. “Helping Islanders into home ownership is a core part of this mission.”
The Reform Jersey politician clarified that these changes did not affect the First Step scheme, which remains exclusively for those buying their first home.
