RENTERS could get the right to challenge “unlawful” rent increases, under proposed changes lodged today which have been labelled the “biggest overhaul” of residential tenancy legislation in over a decade.
Under the proposals, rent increases would be limited to RPI and capped at 5%, and limited to one increase per year. Tenants would be able to go to a Rent Tribunal to dispute unlawful increases.
The proposals, put forward by Housing Minister Sam Mézec, also include longer notice periods, protection against no-fault evictions and guards against “unsustainable” rent rises which would not be able to be imposed by landlords more than once a year.
Proposed changes also aim to stop landlords from repeating fixed-term tenancies and improve notice provisions “so landlords can still regain possession of their property when they need to, but tenants cannot be kicked out of a property unfairly”.
The Residential Tenancy Law (2011) governs leases, landlords’ obligations to tenants, and how tenants can be evicted.
Deputy Mézec said he had been “pleased” with feedback to his proposition, “including from good landlords who have told me the proposals make sense, and will help raise the bar across the board”.
He said: “Jersey has a housing crisis which is deeply affecting our community. Renters in particular have faced great difficulties, compounded by out-of-date laws which fail to provide them with safe, secure and affordable homes.
“Delivering a modern and fit-for-purpose framework will go a huge way to alleviating this aspect of the housing crisis.”
It also aims to “limit the use of fixed-term tenancies” and improve notice provisions “so landlords can still regain possession of their property when they need to, but tenants cannot be kicked out of a property unfairly”.
The updates had been in the works since before Deputy Mézec took up his ministerial role, with his predecessor Deputy David Warr leading a consultation in 2023.
Last April, Deputy Mézec published a “way forward” in which he outlined a need to “provide [renters] with confidence that they can enjoy security and affordability in their homes – and therefore happy lives in Jersey”.
Deputy Mézec said: “I am delighted to have reached this stage. The proposed changes aim to balance the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords and introduce more clarity.
“I want to ensure that tenants know their rights and have greater protection regarding evictions, especially when they are given notice for no reason.”
