LANDLORDS will be able to apply for their licence from next month when a new scheme designed to tackle sub-standard accommodation begins.

It will be illegal for a landlord to rent out a home in the Island without a licence from 1 August.

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

Landlords will need a licence for each home they rent out, under the new Rented Dwelling Licensing Scheme.

Deputy Luce said: “This is about the health and safety of tenants and ensuring the homes Islanders live in meet certain standards.”

Draft legislation brought by former Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf was backed by States Members in November last year.

The government said the legislation would help improve the standard of rental homes in Jersey and allow officers to identify properties where minimum standards were not being met.

Landlords will be able to complete an online licensing process from 1 May. This will be followed by a three-month transitional period.

A “Landlords’ Toolkit” containingrelevant information went live yesterday (gov.je/renteddwellings) ahead of the opening of the application process.

Deputy Luce said: “The online licence application process is being streamlined to be as straightforward as possible, and I don’t see it as being a massive burden for landlords to complete. 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.

“We’ve published the Code of Practice and summary of the guidance so everyone can see the standards we expect to see in Jersey’s rented homes.

The team have also explained in the documentation how some of the potential hazards can best be tackled.” 

Find out more

A series of events is being held next week for Islanders who want more information about the licensing scheme.

•Tuesday 23 April, 6pm, St Clement’s Parish Hall.

•Wednesday 24 April, 2pm, Salvation Army, Minden Place.

•Thursday 25 April, 6pm, St Brelade’s Parish Hall