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20th November 2019
Response from Environmental Health Officers to the queries raised in the Jersey Farmers' Union submission
Good afternoon,
Many thanks for the opportunity to respond to the questions you raised to the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny. The following should assist in answering the questions put forward should the States Assembly pass the scheme without amendments;
Yes, all rental properties will be required to have a licence.
The type of accommodation described would be considered a hostel. The licence fee for hostels is prescribed in Appendix D.
This information is required to understand who is legally responsible for compliance with the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) Jersey Law 2018 at the property.
Yes, even if a property is offered without charge it should be licenced to ensure the property is known by Government and minimum standards are met. Whether a fee for the licence is charged in such circumstances is subject to consideration within the wider licencing debate.
Many workers begin supporting the agricultural industry within winter months. The ability to regulate the heat within a property to an acceptable standard is required by the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Jersey) 2018. Discounts for the scheme begin with those premises on Rent Safe that meet minimum standards. The fourth star (and subsequent additional discount) is achieved if legal paperwork is written in plain English. The fifth star is achieved by installing energy efficiency measures. If a farmer pays for the heating there may be value in considering such measures for his own bottom line.
General comments; A unit is considered a rental property if it is rented (for a charge or otherwise) for more than 30 days per year.
As discussed with Jersey Farmers Union, Rent Safe is free to join and, as identified in the proposed scheme, results in immediate reduction in the cost of a licence. Environmental Health are keen to support those within the agricultural sector that wish for their rental properties to join the scheme. To join Rent Safe a request can be made by emailing environmentalhealth@gov.je.
Environmental Health
Growth, Housing and Environment Department Government of Jersey