Jersey senator calls for housing rent controls

Senator Francis Le Gresley is calling for the States to ensure all tenants are subject to rent controls

A Jersey senator is to ask the States to make renting a level playing field.

Currently some landlords in the private sector can charge more than recommended levels because a provision in the law makes them exempt from rent controls.

It was introduced in Jersey to help encourage more private sector homes to be offered out for rent in a bid to reduce pressure on social housing.

However, Senator Francis Le Gresley said this had led to big rent rises, making it hard for some to afford them.

He said that average private rents increased by nearly 25% between January 2007 and December 2009, compared with an 8.7% rise in rents in the public sector which equates to a three-fold rise.

Senator Le Gresley is to ask housing minister, Sean Power, to bring forward legislation for States' approval so that all tenants contracts would be subject to rent controls.

His call comes just days after it was revealed that ministers were being pressed to build more housing for rent following a 40% rise in the waiting list this year.