A SCRUTINY panel has moved to clear up what it describes as “significant misinformation and confusion” around proposed changes to the Island’s rental laws ahead of a key debate in the States Assembly.
Following an extensive review into the Residential Tenancy Law, including around 550 responses to a consultation exercise, the Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure panel has issued a report and lodged a series of amendments to the law, which will be debated by States Members during the second week of September.
Deputy Hilary Jeune said her panel welcomed the ambition of Housing Minister Sam Mézec to address challenges in the residential rental market at a time of low public trust in housing fairness, echoing the minister’s aim to address “irresponsible behaviour from a small minority of both tenants and landlords”.
She added: “However, we find that the law, as drafted, is highly complex, having been misinterpreted by all stakeholders in different ways, and risks confusion and misapplication.
“We are therefore lodging a number of amendments and recommendations to strengthen the legislation and clarify procedures.”
Two of the panel’s suggested changes take some decision-making powers away from the Housing Minister and switch these to the States Assembly in order to ensure the independence and effective working of the proposed rent tribunal.
Greater flexibility in the limit by which rental levels can be increased is another of the panel’s measures, along with proposed measures designed to bring greater equality to how rental contracts can be terminated.
Having considered an earlier amendment by Deputy Philip Bailhache regarding fixed-term tenancies, the panel has proposed changing this proposal so that all such tenancies have to be ended by written notice of three months by the landlord and one month by the tenant, both during the term and at the end.
Deputy Jeune concluded that: “We believe these steps will ensure the Residential Tenancy Law fulfils its purpose of better balancing the residential tenancy landscape in Jersey and give peace of mind to both tenants and landlords.”
