JERSEY’S Housing Minister has pushed back against a new report that linked high housing costs to government policy – arguing that the Island’s housing crisis is more “complex” than the report suggests.
Deputy Sam Mézec was responding to a report by independent think tank Policy Centre Jersey, which claimed that political decisions – particularly around planning – were pushing up the cost of housing by restricting supply, creating delays, and adding extra requirements for developers.
He said: “The Policy Centre’s report is interesting, but it is disappointing that they focused almost exclusively on supply and demand as the driving force behind Jersey’s housing crisis.
“The reality is far more complex.”
He pointed to recent data from Statistics Jersey showing that prices are already falling and that more properties are now on the market.
“Last year, we saw the sharpest drop in house prices since records began, and today there is a notable increase in the number of properties on the market. Yet despite this, many Islanders are still not feeling any reprieve.”
He argued that the current system isn’t just about how many homes are available, but how the housing market is structured – and who it benefits.
“The crisis isn’t just about the number of homes available, it’s about how our housing system is structured and who it serves,” the Minister said.
The Minister said that renters, in particular, were being left out of the conversation.
“The report doesn’t particularly consider the plight of renters, for whom supply and demand is pretty much irrelevant,” he said.
“For lots of renters, their precarity comes from insecurity and unaffordability in their rental contracts, not from competition in the market.
“Rents during multi-year tenancies are governed by contracts, not supply and demand.
“If a renter has a restrictive contract, it doesn’t matter if 100 identical flats are built next door to them, their rent will still go up.”
Deputy Mézec said this was why he brought forward new legislation to strengthen protections for renters and create more flexibility.
“That is why we need a new Residential Tenancy Law that allows tenants to benefit from the increased supply of housing (by giving them more flexibility to leave their homes) and protection against excessive rent increases, which they can appeal to a Rent Tribunal that can make sure the rent doesn’t go up by more than the market rate,” he said.
The law – billed as Jersey’s biggest rental law reform in a decade – had been due for debate earlier this month, but was delayed after the States Assembly voted by a single vote — 23 to 22 — to refer it to Scrutiny for further review.
Deputy Mézec criticised the decision and accused States Members of “cowardice over clarity”.
Deputy Inna Gardiner, who brought the proposal to send the law to Scrutiny, said it was not about delaying but about allowing the Assembly to consider “the whole package”.
Responding to queries from the JEP, Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce also said that work is already underway to improve how the planning system operates.
“Islanders rightly expect a planning system that is clear, consistent and capable of responding to change,” he said.
“This consultation we have launched is an opportunity to explore how we can simplify the rules, improve decision making and create a service that better meets the needs of Islanders now and in the future.”
Deputy Luce said the review includes looking at permitted development rights – which allow certain projects to proceed without full planning permission – the appeals process, and how Jersey’s primary document for planning policy is updated.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in how our Island develops to share their views and help us shape a better planning system for Jersey,” he added.
