Survey shows support for landlord and tenant rights

There are few current laws to protect landlords or tenants in Guernsey

A public consultation has supported calls to give Guernsey's landlords and tenants more rights when issues arise.

Currently neither party has many legal rights in the event of problems such as short notice evictions from landlords or properties left in poor condition by tenants.

The Committee for Environment and Infrastructure, which launched the survey, said 239 responses were received and showed support for its proposal to change the law.

Committee president deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said the survey results showed "strong support" for ensuring that "clear, baseline protections" were in place for both parties.

The proposals, which islanders were invited to comment on, included:

• The type of living arrangements to which the legislation would apply

• The minimum content of tenancy agreements

• Tenancy types, fixed and rolling tenancies and their application

• Statutory rights and responsibilities of each party

• Specific grounds for possession by the landlord

• Minimum notice periods for each party

The committee said the survey was part of its Guernsey Housing Plan, which sets out the steps the government is taking to tackle the island's "significant housing pressures".

A total of 239 responses were received, including 138 from landlords and their representatives, and 61 from tenants.

"The feedback from the survey was extremely valuable and enabled the committee to identify several areas where the proposals could be refined to reflect the responses, and where additional elements should be considered," it said.

"Fundamentally, the consultation confirmed that for any new legislation in this area to be effective, the right systems and processes need to be in place to support it."

The legislation would include a tribunal or ombudsman service and a statutory deposit protection scheme.

'Clarity, security and accountability'

De Sausmarez said: "While we know many landlords already meet or exceed the standards suggested, the consultation process has shown strong support for ensuring that clear, baseline protections are in place for both landlords and tenants.

"This is simply about providing greater clarity, security, and accountability across a sector that plays a vital role in our housing system, and the feedback from the consultation is very useful in shaping how that can be done in a way that is practical, workable and proportionate."