Islanders invited to have say on renters rights

Islanders are being invited to give feedback on proposed new rights and responsibilities for private renters and landlords.

Environment and Infrastructure (E&I) launched a survey as the next phase of efforts to introduce a general housing law to regulate private sector rentals.

Guernsey currently has limited legal rights and protections when things go wrong in a private tenancy, such as unfair evictions or unpaid rent.

Lindsay de Sausmarez, president of E&I, said the proposals were designed to make sure the "right protections" were in place for both landlords and tenants.

More than a quarter of all housing in Guernsey was private rentals but it was currently unregulated, she said.

The States agreed in 2020 to look into introducing a General Housing Law to bring in minimum property standards, as well as licensing and registration of landlords.

If agreed, the proposals would also introduce a statutory deposit protection scheme and new rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants.

A previous survey focussed on housing standards, the States said.

De Sausmarez said: "I know from personal experience how difficult it can be as a tenant to be evicted without notice, for example, but I'm also well aware that landlords can be placed in difficult situations by some tenants."

"We know that most landlords and tenants are good, but there need to be protections in place for when things go wrong."

The survey will close on 2 February 2025.

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