Ministers split over new Tenancy Law

Ministers, deputies, and constables are divided on a new Tenancy Law, which has been postponed after a day of debate.

States Members voted to refer the proposed legislation to Scrutiny, which will delay the debate until 9 September, at the earliest.

Housing Minister Sam Mezec made this plea to States Members before the postponement vote, saying it would mean his officers cannot move on with their work.

"I urge members to have the courage in your convictions to say what you believe on the principles of this law, one way or another. But voting to delay the debate on that today inevitably means wasting public time, money and civil service efforts.

"We ought to be cutting down on that, because we do it far too often in government - wasting time and money on behalf of the people we serve."

The Minister also took to social media to express his discontent with how the States debate panned out this afternoon.

Deputy Sam Mezec says his colleagues had 'made up their minds' before the debate.

"They chose cowardice over clarity.

"Obstruction over accountability."

This view was shared by several other States Members and his Reform party colleagues:

Housing is one of the most critical issues facing Islanders. I am appalled that other States Members used filibustering tactics to avoid a vote on the principles of the Residential Tenancy Law today. Our community deserves better.

— Deputy Lyndsay Feltham (@lyndsayfeltham) July 9, 2025

What a shambles @StatesAssembly today. Attempts made and one succeeded to delay debate on the principles. We should all have the courage of our convictions and either vote “pour” or “contre”

— Deputy Catherine Curtis (@DeputyCCurtis) July 9, 2025

However, the Reform Leader says the people who voted to delay the debate 'haven't won the war'.

"We'll return in September with the same fight and the same fire, and we'll make sure the public knows exactly who stood in the way of justice today.

"The housing crisis demands courage.

"And the people of Jersey deserve better than this."

The vote difference was just one, with 23 members voting for the ‘reference back’ and 22 members voting against.

Ministers were also split on the debate, with the following voting for the delay, despite the Housing Minister's plea:

• Family and Children's Minister Richard Vibert,
• International Development Minister Carolyn Labey,
• Environment Minister Steve Luce,
• Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel,
• Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegaret,
• External Relations Minister Ian Gost,
• Health Minister Tom Binet.

The new Tenancy Law was unveiled earlier this year, billed as bringing better protections for renters and landlords through the creation of a new tribunal, limiting the use of fixed term contracts and and by capping rent increases by inflation or 5%, depending on which is lower.

READ: Rent controls and protection from 'revenge evictions' proposed

The Housing Minister previously called his reforms  'the biggest overhaul of legislation in more than a decade'.

Critics, including the Jersey Landlords Association, say the rules are unnecessary and unfair and will lead to property owners leaving the market . 

States Members argued during the debate that the Scrutiny Panel had evidence politicians should hear before making a decision.

Islanders were asked to answer a survey on renting or being a landlord in Jersey to gather views on how the changes will impact the community.