Landlords to require licence for rented homes

Online licensing forms will open to landlords in May

Landlords will legally require a licence for each home they rent out in Jersey from August, the government has said.

Under its new Rented Dwelling Licensing Scheme, the government said it would "work to improve the standards of rental accommodation" in the island.

The scheme was approved by States members in November 2023, and online licensing forms will open to landlords in May.

A transitional period will run for the first three months where homes will not be inspected or issued with a licence.

'Protect islanders'

Deputy Steve Luce, the minister for the environment, said the application process was "straightforward" and not "a massive burden for landlords to complete".

He said: "It will, however, allow us to work more closely with landlords to take corrective action when hazards exist or minimum standards aren’t being met, giving us more opportunities to protect islanders and enhance rented homes.

“This is about the health and safety of tenants and ensuring the homes islanders live in meet certain standards.

"We know there are many good landlords in Jersey, but there are also too many tenants having to live in mouldy properties, or perhaps homes where the fire alarm doesn’t work, or where the staircases simply aren’t safe to climb."

Mr Luce said a summary of guidance had been published of the "standards we expect to see in Jersey's rented homes".

Information events will be held on 23 April at St Clement Parish Hall at 18:00 BST, 24 April at the Salvation Army at Minden Place at 14:00 BST, and 25 April at St Brelade Parish Hall at 18:00 BST.