New law to regulate landlords and tenants agreements
The public are being asked to comment on a new law that will create a regulatory framework for the development of fair, transparent, agreements between landlord and tenant.
The proposed Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Law 200- will be applicable to all residential tenancies of 9 years or less. New fixed notice periods to be given by both landlord and tenant are proposed, together with a requirement for all tenants to be given a written copy of their tenancy agreement.
Additional provisions to clarify eviction procedures are included together with proposals to deal with issues relating to disputes over the return of rental deposits.
Housing Minister, Senator Le Main is looking forward to receiving feedback from the public. He said "The draft Law is there to provide a solid foundation for those who enter tenancy agreements and I hope it will be welcomed by both landlords and tenants."
“We are also aware that some tenants have problems getting their deposit monies back and we are keen to understand these issues better” continued, Senator Le Main. “However, before we make any decisions about setting up a Tenants’ Deposit Scheme we need more information which is one of the reasons we are consulting”.
He added "It is important to gauge the views of the public on this important area and if anyone feels unable to put their opinions in writing, I am happy to arrange personal meetings”.
The consultation paper and questionnaire are available from the States of Jersey website www.gov.je, the Customer Services Centre at Cyril Le Marquand House, the Population Office at Jubilee Wharf, the States bookshop in Morier House and the Library. Responses can be sent to the Population Office or e-mailed to rtl@gov.je
The consultation closes on 24th June.
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
1. For further information, Senator Terry le Main will be in the States on Tuesday 29 April 2008 but will be available later in the day on Tel: 720040
Paul Bradbury, Director, Population Office 448997, or Melanie Cavey, Project Officer, Population Office 448931
2. The Council of Ministers and the States have committed to Commitment Three
p26 in the Strategic Plan which focuses on policies to deal with social inequity
and refers to the aim to provide a good standard of accommodation for all and
the need to introduce security of tenure legislation (p.31 3.8 and 3.8.9)
3. The former Housing Committee appointed a Working Party under the Chairmanship of Senator Corrie Stein in December 1996 to review the respective rights of landlords and tenants when entering into leases. P257 / 1998 Security of Tenure – Report of the Working Party was presented to the States in 1998 and adopted.
4. Current legislation dealing with landlord/tenant relationships dates back to the:
i) 1919 and 1946 legislation, written in French, dealing with notice periods and eviction processes and
ii) the Dwelling Houses (Rent Control) (Jersey) Law 1946 which established the Rent Control Tribunal and the Dwelling Houses (Rent Control) (Standard Tenancy Agreement) (Jersey) Regulations 1993 which provides for a standard tenancy agreement which, if used by landlords and tenants, exempts the parties from rent control.
Page Last Updated: 29/04/2008
