12 March 2026
The Minister for Housing has signed an order that will next month bring in the biggest changes to Jersey’s residential tenancy law in more than a decade.
The Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Amendment Law 2025, the “amended Law”, will come into force on 15 April 2026.
It modernises the Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Law 2011, strengthens protections for both tenants and landlords, and creates clearer processes around notice, tenancy types, and rent increases. The reforms also establish the new Rent Tribunal, which will provide an independent route for tenants to challenge rent increases within a tenancy.
Deputy Sam Mézec has signed the Ministerial Decision for the Residential Tenancy Amendment (Jersey) Commencement Order 2026, which brings the amended Law into effect.
These changes deliver on the Minister’s commitment to bring greater clarity, stability, and fairness to Jersey’s rental sector.
Launch of comprehensive guidance and updated Model Tenancy Agreement:
To help landlords, tenants, and letting agents understand how the amended Law will work in practice, the Government of Jersey has today published:
- Comprehensive public guidance explaining the new requirements, transitional arrangements, notice rules, rent increase protections, and the operation of the Rent Tribunal; and
- A fully updated Model Residential Tenancy Agreement, and accompanying guidance, which complies with the amended Law.
These materials are intended to help Islanders navigate the updated legal framework confidently and understand their rights and responsibilities when letting or renting a property.
This information is available at Tenant and landlord rights.
Minister for Housing, Deputy Sam Mézec, said: “The commencement of the amended Residential Tenancy Law marks a major milestone in improving security, clarity and fairness for thousands of Islanders who rent their homes.
“Alongside the legislation coming into force, I am pleased that we are publishing clear and comprehensive guidance, as well as a new model tenancy agreement that reflects the updated requirements. These resources will help landlords and tenants prepare for the changes and ensure the transition to the new system is smooth and well understood.”
Engagement events for stakeholders, landlords and tenants:
To support awareness and understanding of the reforms, the Minister for Housing has scheduled two evening public engagement events to support understanding of the reforms:
- an in-person event at the Town Hall on Wednesday 1st April 2026, from 6pm to 7pm; and
- an online webinar on Thursday 2nd April, from 6pm to 7pm.
Both events will give Islanders and stakeholder groups the opportunity to put questions to the Minister, supported by his officers. The webinar will offer attendees the opportunity to submit questions in advance for the Minister to address during the session.
Full details and registration information will be published shortly.
Next steps:
Further communications will be issued ahead of amended Law’s commencement date, 15 April 2026.
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