Tuesday 24 March 2020
Coronavirus: Minister welcomes increased tenancy protection
The Minister for Housing, Senator Sam Mezec, has welcomed developments which will give tenants protection from eviction during the Covid-19 pandemic, but has undertaken to do more.
Jersey’s Magistrate’s Court has announced the adjournment of all eviction cases before the Petty Debts Court as part of a package of measures in response to the pandemic.
The Minister also wrote to leading housing providers, and has received confirmation from Jersey Landlords Association, and several social housing providers and letting and management agencies, that evictions will not be pursued during the outbreak.
Senator Mezec said: "There is still more to do to give tenants protection in legislation, which I soon hope to be in a position to say more about, and we are working hard to house those vulnerable islanders who need urgent accommodation. In the meantime, however, I hope these commitments will provide tenants with peace of mind that they are not at immediate risk of losing their homes because of the pandemic.
"I welcome the commitment provided to me by many of our housing providers that they will take a pragmatic and compassionate approach to dealing with their tenants, many of whom may see their incomes reduce because of coronavirus. Most have confirmed that they are already putting procedures in place to manage rent collection and late payment during this difficult time."
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Sam.
ReplyDeleteFull credit to Deputy Montfort Tadier. PRESS RELEASE.
Sam.
ReplyDeleteApologies for wrong link THIS LINK is the correct one.
Reading your proposition for tomorrow on rents. Which is all good and dandy but aren't you only creating a hardship problem for the future? Unpaid rent can still be followed up in the courts at a later date under Tenancy Agreements, and unpaid rent for some Landlords must be devastating and creating them financial problems. I just cannot see any good out of it 6 months down the line. Tell me something different?
ReplyDeleteoh ok, I read you said this to the MSM -
Delete"The minister says tenants will still be fully liable for paying their rent, utilities and service charges. Guidance will be published soon on the repayment of rent arrears accrued over the period."
Still think this is building up future debt problems though.
Can I please ask a question again on rent arrears.
ReplyDeleteIf Landlords find themselves forced to keep Tenants on who stop paying their rent and the Landlords have their suspicions that they could pay their rents but are using the lockdown emergency legislation as an excuse not to. What remedies do the Landlords have to get their money?
The tenants should be explaining their situation to the landlord, and the landlord should (if they feel it necessary) ask for evidence. Then they should come to an agreement about how they will manage this situation.
DeleteIf a tenant is genuinely facing hardship, they should have no reason not to want to co-operate and demonstrate this. If a tenant doesn't and the landlord suspects they are taking advantage of the situation, they will be able to chase them in the courts once they are sitting again.
I will be publishing guidelines soon to establish reasonable ways to deal with this.
That will be great and thank you.
DeleteSam.
ReplyDeleteTrailer of interview with VFC discussing States Communications Unit, Corona Virus, State Media, New Media and much MORE.
Everybody uses the Internet for up to date news. Stories flowing at the moment like recession, house prices, covid-19 deaths and lock down.
DeleteI would second guess the States Communications Unit is warning people away from fake news like 5G and phoney Covid-19 test kits out there.
People thirst for fresh news, a flash story written on Twitter an hour ago is more important than a one written a day ago.
voiceforchildren
DeleteTweet to JLF yesterday -
"A very dangerous piece of legislation for what is already a corrupt "justice" system."
If your friend is tweeting to the CM and media that we have a corrupt justice system, then is this new Media which you support either on the money or, as another States Member said yesterday, paranoid and delusional?
Jon, stop pretending you're mates with politicians, we know you're not.
DeleteAnd yes, our "justice" system is headed by someone who also heads our parliament. That is corrupt.
Sam.
ReplyDeleteProblem with link. Hopefully THIS ONE should work.
Sam.
ReplyDeleteInterview with VFC discussing Covid-19/State Media/Civil Liberties/New Media and much more HERE.
A BBC correspondent said several years ago that the VFC Blog was incapable of writing a story without some reference to MSM, Harper, Power, Syvret, HDLG teeth and skulls.
ReplyDeleteThey call you the Blogger that time forgot. Your watch stopped in the Autumn of 2008.
Maybe this is why they don't want you on their BBC Radio Jersey programme.
Just a thought......
Well you certainly haven't forgot them. Seems like you think about little else.
DeleteTrue ha ha ha
Delete"The action required to save jobs, livelihoods and the wider economy after this crisis will need to be bold and radical. It will need to be adopted and implemented quickly and in the face of opposition from vested interests who will howl at it. Do we have the guts to do it?"
ReplyDeleteCan you please explain this Tweet?
The onus is on you, as a Minister of the States of Jersey. Not anybody else. There is no passing the buck, there is no dodging blame. If things go wrong it will be you who will be held to account by the electorate. Learn it because you do not seem to get it.
Agreed on all points.
DeleteWe will be publishing more details in the coming weeks.
Have you got any thoughts about the sudden surge of vacant rentals being advertised on FB groups - with an apparent small drop in asking prices together with a number surprisingly welcoming children?
ReplyDeleteNot dropping much in price.
DeleteA lot of unqualified flats coming up presumably because people have left. Qualified ones are still pricey for the circumstances like one bedrooms at over a Thousand a month.
Ah leave the lad alone.
ReplyDeleteHe's doing his best under unprecedented times. I said before in some ways he's needed.
Sam what are you going to do about the threat of cash buyers coming in to gobble up buy to lets if the housing markets takes a dive?
Sam today a 2 bedroom flat with bran new kitchen has come on the market for rent at £820 a month. That's cheaper than social housing. Can you give us an update on this 90% social housing rental review?
ReplyDeleteCan you give a definition of what is a Jersey Tory please?
ReplyDeleteA person of the Tory persuasion who resides in Jersey.
DeleteSam.
ReplyDeleteSome questions surrounding the "real" death-toll of COVID-19.
Sen. Mezec is it true that the Treasury are going to leave Income Tax as it is but raise GST to 10%?
ReplyDelete