07 November 2023
Assistant Chief Minister, Deputy Lucy Stephenson, has signed a Ministerial Decision to allow
businesses from outside of Jersey (Non-Resident Undertakings – NRUs) to operate in Jersey
for a period of 30 days without a business licence.
It will apply to those off-Island businesses that can help to speed-up the significant progress
already made in repairing damage to properties and infrastructure following Storm Ciarán,
where demand for these services is very high.
It will allow local businesses and individuals to engage off-Island construction workers to carry
out emergency repairs to buildings and roofs for a period of 30 days, without the usual
requirement for a business licence under the Control of Housing and Work Law.
This expands the exemption that already exists for these businesses from five days and is in
line with the 30 days exemption that exists for most other NRUs.
NRUs can come to Jersey to carry out work for which they have been contracting or engaged
in advance by a local business or individual. They are not permitted to go door to door, or to
tout for business whilst on Island, meaning local residents should not be directly approached
by businesses to offer their services. Any businesses doing so should be reported to the
Business Hub Compliance Unit on 444444 or by email at clsbusinesshub@gov.je.
Members of the public are requested to be vigilant of anyone looking to take advantage of
the aftermath of Storm Ciarán. This includes verifying contractors’ credentials, avoiding paying
up front, and confirming everything in writing.
The Business Hub Unit at Customer and Local Services (CLS) will monitor the arrival of NRUs
and inform them of their obligations under the Law. Any NRUs wishing to operate in Jersey
after 3 December 2023 will be required to have a business licence in the normal manner.
Deputy Stephenson said:
“We hope that this small change offers assistance to local businesses and residents as they
seek to repair, rebuild and recover from Storm Ciarán. The change expires after 3 December
2023 and is felt proportionate in offering quick support to households who require emergency
repairs in the short term, whilst allowing resident businesses to manage the longer -term
rebuilding.
“Resident businesses are reminded that they are able to apply for extra permissions to employ
people on their existing business licences, and that these can be time limited to suit the
business need. They are also able to contract non-resident businesses. Officers at the Business
Hub at CLS are able to give advice directly and applications will be dealt with in a timely
manner.”
Report a concern
Any concerns can be reported to Business Hub (444444), Trading Standards (448160), the
Health and Safety Inspectorate (447300) or to the States of Jersey Police on 612612.
gov.je