Rent Control Part Of Tenancy Law Overhaul

Jersey's Housing Minister has released his plans to change the residential tenancy law.

They include bringing in open-ended tenancies to protect against revenge evictions and increasing the minimum notice period.

Plans also suggest bringing in some form of rent control, something Reform Jersey has repeatedly called for.

Deputy David Warr's plans would mean that landlords can only increase rent by the level of inflation once a year.

Reform Jersey leader Deputy Sam Mezec has brought forward a proposition for more wide-reaching controls.

It includes banning any rent increase in the first three years of a tenancy and any thereafter should be capped at a 'measure of affordability such as the average RPI over the previous three years.

Deputy Warr's white paper also suggests the introduction of a Housing Tribunal service.

He had brought forward a similar proposal of a Rent Control Tribunal, but it was withdrawn because of backlash over the make-up of the board, which included the chair of the Jersey Landlords Association, Guy Morris.

States Members will debate the white paper 'in committee' at the beginning of May, with Deputy Mezec's proposal also due for scrutiny in the chamber in the same sitting.