Call To Approve 'Balanced' Rent Tribunal

The States will be asked to approve a proposition to implement a 'balanced' Rent Control Tribunal.

It's after criticism of the members put forward by the Housing Minister.

Deputy David Warr will ask politicians to approve the appointment of four members.

They are Simon Burgess, Ian Gray, Neil Buesnel and Guy Morris, who is Chairman of the Jersey Landlords Association.

Reform Jersey says it's mostly senior members of the finance industry and landlords, with no member to give the tenants' perspective.

Party member Deputy Geoff Southern wants the tribunal to have:

• One member representing landlords
• One member representing tenants
• One member from Andium Homes
• One member from the charity sector with an understanding of homeless and consumer issues
• One member to act as the Tribunal Chair.

He says this will introduce an element of balance into the landlord/tenant relationship.

"In order to be effective in protecting the tenant and the landlord from exploitation or unfairness, either side in a dispute must be able to trust the independence of the process.

If the Minister really wishes to give private tenants better recourse against unfair rent increases, then he has to take measures which give those tenants reasons to believe that his measures can work.

I believe that this amendment improves the Rent Control law and the tribunal it creates by adding a structure that can be made to work."

It will be debated in mid-September.

It is disappointing that this was necessary. But Reform Jersey will continue to lead the way in promoting measures to alleviate the housing crisis. https://t.co/HWqEst0q8P

— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) August 23, 2022

The tribunal is being reinstated for the first time since 2009 to take action against inflationary rent increases.

It will allow tenants to appeal to an 'independent body' if they believe their rent is too expensive.

The Tribunal can decide to keep the rent as it is or reduce it.

Deputy Warr has called for the members already put forward to be given a chance - saying their actions will be heavily scrutinised.

"They (The Jersey Appointments Commission) knew the potential fallout on social media that might happen as a result of this. The individuals concerned also knew the potential fallout that could happen and yet they still managed to be brave enough and put their hat in the ring, which I think is admirable because there's obviously a severe attempt here to destroy their careers.

I just think that you're now picking on individuals because of a title. The word 'landlord' is almost poisonous at the moment and I just feel that's really unfair on probably 95% of people who are landlords and who are genuinely good, honest people.

I think it's sad that this word 'landlord' seems to tie you with an appalling brush, which appears to be the approach taken by Deputy (Sam) Mézec.

I think the reality is we may not have the perfect panel, but let's get on and use the panel that we do have to get what people really want and that's a Rent Tribunal in place and let's review the situation in April (2023) when these panel members come up for reelection and see if they've done a good job or a bad job or if the criticism that is being levied at them at this moment in time is actually fair.

But until they actually do something, we will never know and everybody is speculating."

I welcome this proposition as it will give the assembly an opportunity to review the way in which such panels are selected

— David Warr (@WarrOnWords) August 23, 2022