Scrutiny questions Minister on Proposed Licensing Regulations for Rented Dwellings
22 June 2023
Yesterday, the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel (the Panel) held a Quarterly Public Hearing with the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf.
The Panel questioned the Minister on the Draft Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations 202-, due to be debated by the States Assembly at the States' sitting commencing Tuesday 18 July. Under the proposed regulations, all rented dwellings will require a license, which will need to be renewed every two years at a cost of £60. The Panel asked for clarification on what main differences the proposed regulations will bring compared to previous propositions rejected by the previous States Assembly. The Minister outlined how the proposed regulations would introduce a code of practice on minimum standards for rented dwellings and that, crucially, licenses for rented dwellings which do not meet minimum standards can be revoked. The Panel expressed concern regarding the possibility of unintended negative consequences. The Minister stressed that the new licensing scheme would be a method of enforcing the standards that are already in place, and that under the proposed regulations, withdrawing a license will only be a last resort, leaving room for flexibility when it comes to rectifying issues before this point. He added that enforcement of the scheme will not require extra budget for staffing costs.
The Panel also heard:
- Supplementary planning guidance on density, parking and space standards will be issued over the summer.
- Drafting of a new Water Strategy is now underway which takes a "holistic approach" to water management. Part of this approach will be to reduce water consumption on Island with a target of reducing a resident's average daily water consumption from 120 litres to 100. The Minister said he is exploring the possibility of implementing variable water rates based on levels of consumption.
- Energy performance certificates will be an important part of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, with legislation coming in 2025 to make energy performance certificates mandatory.
- Cannabis growing businesses building glasshouses now have to complete a full planning application which includes an environmental impact assessment. The Minister said this closes a previously existing "loophole" in this area.
- Requests for vessel replacement licenses under the new Sea Fisheries Regulations have been lower than expected, with most licenses having been granted to boats who had already commissioned the vessels before the new regulations came into place.
- The Minister said the Bridging Island Plan did not take into consideration the strain in the Island's sewerage networks when allocating land for rezoning, but that the Bridging Liquid Waste Strategy and a budget growth bid for the Infrastructure and Environment Department aim to address this gap.
Connétable Mike Jackson, Vice-Chair of the Panel, said: 'We thank the Minister and his Officers for answering our questions. The Minister's clarifications surrounding the Draft Rented Dwellings Regulations were helpful as it's important the proposed regulations safeguard minimum standards for rented properties without any unintended negative consequences for landlords, developers, or tenants. The Minister's responses in relation to the Bridging Liquid Waste Strategy 2023-26 were also useful and will help inform our ongoing review of the strategy. We will be holding further review hearings with the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Treasury and Resources on Wednesday 28th June, as we continue with the evidence gathering process."
Follow this link to watch a full recording of the Quarterly Public Hearing
