Guidance given to Jersey renters and landlords over pandemic regulations
Guidance has been issued on new laws aimed at stopping islanders becoming homeless during the coronavirus pandemic.
New regulations came into effect on the 10 April and will last until the end of September this year.
The new regulations:
Tenants cannot be evicted for failing to pay rent or other bills if they are facing financial hardship because of coronavirus
Landlords cannot increase rent, even if a landlord notified tenants of a rent increase before lockdown
Tenants can extend their tenancies if they are due to end before 1 October 2020. Any fixed-term tenancy that is due to end before that date may continue as another fixed-term tenancy or periodic tenancy
The seven page guidance document clarifies what rights both landlords and tenants have during the pandemic.
People who are struggling to pay rent due to Covid-19 are being told to write to their landlord with proof. This proof could include a loss of job, ill health or a reduction in working hours and salary.
Then the landlord and tenant should agree the best course of action.
After the regulations end (30 September) landlords will be able to evict tenants for missing rent as normal.