Derelict residential properties

Published on: 22 September 2025

Question type: Written

Asked by: Raluca Kovacs

Reference: WQ.324/2025

Answered by: Comité des Connétables

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WQ.324/2025

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHAIR OF THE COMITÉ DES CONNÉTABLES

BY DEPUTY R.S. KOVACS OF ST. SAVIOUR

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 15th SEPTEMBER 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2025

Question

"In relation to non-occupied derelict or dilapidated residential properties, will the Chair –

detail the basis on which Parish Rates are levied on these properties;
state the number of such properties in each Parish;
advise the length of time each property has been known to be in a poor state; and
outline the efforts, if any, made by each Parish to enable these properties to be returned to a habitable state?"

Answer

The Parishes do not collect information about whether or not a property is occupied. Under the Rates (Jersey) Law 2005, all property has an "occupier" as the definition of occupier, in relation to land, "means the person entitled to occupy and use the land by virtue of being –

the owner of the land; or
the person to whom the land is let under a lease or tenancy agreement,

other than a person who is a landlord (whether or not immediate) of the occupier of the land."

Every owner is required to make an annual return of the property they own in a parish but this will not necessarily describe the property as "derelict or dilapidated".

Response

Parish rates are levied on all property in accordance with the rateable value assessed. The rateable value is based on the attributes of the property. The term "attributes" is defined as, "in respect of land, means the size, location, accommodation, condition and use of the land and the quality of any house, building or other structure in, on, under or over the land."

Response

For the reasons outlined above, the number of derelict or dilapidated residential properties in each parish is not known.

Response

The length of time properties have been in a poor state is not known.

Response

Any properties in derelict or dilapidated state are privately owned and therefore not under the remit of the Parishes to renovate