Minister for Housing announces access-widening revisions to first-time buyer policy guidance

02 April 2026

The Minister for Housing has updated Jersey's first-time buyer, FTB, policy guidance so that more Islanders can purchase FTB homes and qualify for assisted home ownership schemes.

The changes also meet commitments set out in the Government's Investing in Jersey 2026-2050 programme by providing opportunities for people to move up and down the housing ladder, not just to help people buy their first home.

The updated guidance introduces new discretionary pathways for Islanders who may have owned property previously, but continue to face barriers in securing suitable housing, or who would benefit from opportunities offered by the FTB market.

The new discretionary categories are:

Supporting Islanders to right-size: A dedicated right-sizing policy for homeowners who wish to move from a larger family home into a more suitable FTB property.
Lateral moves to more suitable housing: Flexibility for those looking to move between similar-sized properties where the household's needs have not changed but the features of a FTB property, such as layout or location, would better suit them.

The policy will continue to allow the following discretions for property owners looking to purchase a FTB home:

Upsizing: moving from a smaller property to a larger FTB home to meet a household's growing needs
Inheritance: when someone has inherited a property that does not meet their needs or cannot generate sufficient capital to secure a suitable home
Relationship breakdown: changing personal circumstances such as divorce or separation, where the division of assets would leave them without appropriate housing

The revised guidance is designed to improve mobility across the housing market, help Islanders access homes that are appropriately-sized and meet their current needs, and establishes safeguards for genuine FTBs entering the housing market for the first time.

The Minister for Housing, Deputy Sam Mézec, said: “I am really pleased to be making these changes. Creating more discretionary categories supports a wider range of housing needs that we see amongst Islanders, particularly those who wish to right-size to a more suitable property and open up larger family homes.

“This reflects the commitment that I made as Minister to extend home ownership to as many Islanders as possible and ensuring the best possible use of the housing stock we have."

The Minister added: “These changes form part of the actions I set out in my 2024 Right-Sizing Policy to encourage and incentivise 'right-sizing' in our housing market, and to be more proactive in providing options for Islanders who want to move into homes that more closely match their household needs.

“They also fulfil a commitment that this Government made in the Investing in Jersey 2026-2050 programme, where we set out an action to adapt first-time buyer policies to meet the needs of Islanders who want to own their own home."