Annual Report on Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations 2023 (2026).

The Annual Report

Purpose of the Law

The primary purpose of the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Jersey) Law 2018 is to ensure that all rented dwellings meet minimum health and safety standards, thereby protecting tenants and supporting responsible property management. Tenants are safeguarded from substandard housing and have clearer channels for raising concerns. Landlords benefit from clear standards and guidance, creating a level playing field across the rental sector, enhancing the reputation of responsible landlords, increasing tenant confidence and helping to reduce disputes through greater transparency and compliance.

Purpose of the Regulations

To establish a mandatory licensing scheme for rented dwellings in Jersey, ensuring oversight and accountability.

Annual Report Purpose

The Scrutiny Panel proposed that the Minister for the Environment (now Minister for Planning and Regulation) should publish an annual report to:

• Ensure Transparency

• Provide clear data on the number of licences issued, inspections conducted, and enforcement actions taken.

• Monitor Effectiveness

• Evaluate how well the licensing scheme is improving housing standards and protecting tenant health and safety.

• Inform Policy Development

• Use evidence from the report to guide future amendments to the regulations or housing policy

• Support Public Accountability

• Allow the States Assembly and the public to assess the performance of the licensing regime

Governance

Responsibility for the public health and safety of rented dwellings now sits with the Minister for Planning and Regulation. The Regulation Directorate oversees the enforcement function. The Head of Service provides strategic leadership and report to the Minister. Authorised Officers conduct inspections, assess hazards and act where necessary, under delegated authority.

The licensing scheme provides a valuable mechanism for supporting the delivery of improved housing standards in Jersey. Through better intelligence, greater visibility of the rented sector and the application of standard licence conditions, it facilitates the effective implementation of the standards established under the 2018 rented dwellings legislation. This proportionate approach strengthens oversight while helping to ensure safe, healthy and well-managed homes for tenants.

Rented Dwellings Licensing Scheme

In 2024, the Government of Jersey introduced the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations 2023, marking a significant step forward in improving housing standards across the Island. These Regulations were made under the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Jersey) Law 2018, which was designed to ensure that all rented homes meet minimum safety and quality standards.

Why Licensing Matters

Approximately one-third of Jersey households live in privately rented accommodation, according to the 2021 Census. This underscores the role of the Rented Dwellings Licensing Scheme in protecting housing standards.

• Ensuring that rental properties, in both the qualified and non-qualified sectors meet essential safety and quality benchmarks through the application of standard condition 1 of each licence where landlords are agreeing at licence application that there are no unreasonable hazards present in their properties. Non-compliance is an offence.

• Licensing provides significant data and intelligence regarding the rental sector allowing for more directed regulation of the primary law.

• Supporting the health and well-being of a significant proportion of the population.

Who Needs a Licence?

From 1 May 2024, all landlords were required to obtain a licence for each rented dwelling. A licence is required if a property is:

• Occupied for more than 30 days in a calendar year (not necessarily continuous)

• Rented in exchange for any reward (not limited to money)

• Occupied by more than two lodgers where the owner also resides

Licence Fees and Duration

Fee: £61.50 per rented dwelling. This fee covers a 2-year licence period.

• The licence is attached to the property, meaning it transfers with ownership if the property is sold or inherited.

• If a landlord owns multiple properties, they must obtain a separate licence for each one.

• Renewals are managed via an invitational link sent to the email address used to apply for the original licence (unless details have been updated as per standard condition 2 of the licence).

Our Approach to Compliance

The Directorate enforces legislation in accordance with its Regulation Enforcement Policy, guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, and proportionality. At the core of this approach is the "4 E's" model:

• Engage – Understand the situation through dialogue

• Explain – Clarify legal requirements

• Encourage – Promote voluntary compliance

• Enforce – Act only when necessary

Officers also follow the Regulators' Code, which promotes an outcome-based, supportive approach. The focus remains on:

• Education over penalties

• Proportionate, case-specific responses

• Criminal proceedings only when all other options are exhausted

This approach helps build a culture of compliance, protecting public health and safety while supporting both landlords and tenants.

Year Two Overview: Rented Dwellings Licensing Scheme

The licensing scheme commenced on 1 May 2024.

The data in this annual report covers the range of 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026.

Renewals for licences applied for during the transitional provisions of the regulations commenced on 13 April 2026. Licences issued as part of the renewal process are valid from 1 May 2026.

As this is outside the annual cycle for the date range of the report, a supplemental section has been included covering the renewals.

The conclusion of the first two-year licensing period represents a significant milestone in the maturity of the rented dwellings regulatory regime. While transitional arrangements meant that properties licensed during the implementation phase were not routinely inspected for the purposes of obtaining a licence, the renewal programme provides an opportunity for all licensed dwellings to be subject to inspection. This supports a strategic shift from a largely complaint-led service towards a proactive and intelligence-led inspection programme, strengthening regulatory oversight and contributing to the continued improvement of safety and quality standards within Jersey's rental housing stock.

The number of new rented dwelling licence applications received between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026 reduced significantly compared with the first year of the scheme.

This reduction was anticipated, as a substantial proportion of dwellings requiring a licence had already been licensed during the first year, when existing landlords were required to apply for and renew licences as part of the scheme's implementation.

As a result, demand for new licence applications in the second year was considerably lower.

During the reporting period, 954 new licences were issued, bringing the cumulative number of licences issued during the first two years of the licensing scheme to 19,074.

Since 1 May 2024, 743 licences have been withdrawn. Licence withdrawals occur for a variety of reasons, including properties leaving the rental market, changes in ownership, or other circumstances where a licence is no longer required. While a licence is issued in respect of a property rather than an individual, property owners or licence holders may request that a licence be withdrawn where the property's circumstances have changed and licensing is no longer required.

There is no obligation to advise of the reason for a withdrawal, and compliance with the regulations remains the responsibility of the property owner.

The licence applications received during the second year of operation largely comprised new applications for properties entering the market and applications resulting from intelligence-led compliance activities. A proportion of these are likely due to properties newly entering the rental market (new builds) or being purchased as buy-to- let investments. This reflects the maturation of the licensing scheme, with activity increasingly focused on maintaining compliance and identifying previously unlicensed properties through targeted regulatory work.

For a more detailed explanation as to how inspections are conducted, please refer to the rented dwellings Code of Practice.

From 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026, the Directorate undertook 716 inspections of rented dwellings. In addition, the Directorate investigated a further 283 intelligence-led cases that were reported during the year.

Looking ahead, consideration is being given to broadening the Directorate's regulatory framework to include an increased focus on proactive monitoring and compliance activity, alongside existing reactive functions.

This approach is intended to strengthen compliance across the sector by placing greater emphasis on early engagement and preventative action. Through the timely identification and resolution of issues, the Directorate can help mitigate risks to health and safety, support landlords through engaging, explaining and encouraging them to maintain compliance, and reduce the likelihood of problems escalating into more serious regulatory concerns. A preventative approach also enables more efficient use of regulatory resources, encourages continuous improvement in housing conditions, and contributes to a fair, proportionate and outcomes-focused regulatory system.

Inspection Activity

Between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026:

 75% of all new applications included a property inspection prior to issuing the licence. This reflects

the scheme's transition into full operational enforcement.

Time  Total no. PapopstlictraatniosnitsiomnaPdeer iModa y–  1T,o2ta0l2n5o–.  o3f0liAcpernicl e2 026  954

Total no. of licence Inspections completed  716 (75%)

Table 2 - Licence applications and inspections

Inspection Process

Where inspections are carried out, officers assess the condition of the property and identify any defects that may give rise to one or more of the 29 hazards listed in Schedule 1 of the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings – Minimum

• It is a suggested improvement to reasonably address or remove a deficiency

• These are typically advisory and aim to enhance living conditions or prevent future risks.

2. Legal Requirement / Hazard

• The issue is assessed as a risk to health or safety.

• It triggers a legal requirement for remedial action.

• The landlord is obligated to resolve the issue within a specified timeframe, and failure to comply may lead to enforcement action.

Standards) (Jersey) Order 2018.

Each inspection conducted under the Scheme results in a formal assessment that determines the appropriate course of action based on the condition of the property. The outcomes fall into two main categories:

1. Recommendation

 The issue identified is not immediately

hazardous.

Hazard Identification

The hazard data collected during proactive (randomly selected) inspections of rented dwelling closely align with findings from reactive (complaint-driven) housing inspections, reinforcing the consistency and reliability of the overall inspection process.

Hazard

Legal Requirement

Recommendation

Hazard 01 - Damp and mould growth

7

16

Hazard 02 - Excess cold

10

4

Hazard 03 - Excess heat

0

1

Hazard 06 - Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products

14

0

Hazard 09 - Uncombusted fuel gas

5

0

Hazard 12 - Entry by intruders

1

0

Hazard 13 - Lighting

1

0

Hazard 16 - Food safety

0

1

Hazard 17 - Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage

2

1

Hazard 20 - Falling on level surfaces etc

3

5

Hazard 21 - Falling on stairs etc

12

6

Hazard 22 - Falling between levels

66

16

Hazard 23 - Electrical hazards

42

7

Hazard 24 - Fire

24

4

Hazard 25 - Flames, hot surfaces etc.

0

1

Hazard 27 - Explosions

2

0

Hazard 29 - Structural Collapse and Falling Elements

0

1

Table 4 - Breakdown of hazard data in rented dwelling licence inspections

The risk of falls between levels was the most identified hazard during the reporting period, followed by electrical hazards. While these were also the two most frequently identified hazards in 2024–2025, their relative positions have reversed. Despite this change, comparison with the previous year's data shows that both the prevalence and severity of hazards identified through inspections have remained broadly consistent, suggesting that the overall pattern of risks has remained stable.

Rented Dwelling Licence Non-Standard Licence Conditions

Of the 716 inspections completed, 142 (20%) licences included non-standard conditions. These additional conditions were applied in response to

specific hazards identified during the inspection process.

A total of 232 non-standard conditions were applied across 142 licences, spanning 14 of the 29 prescribed hazard categories.

They were applied to address specific deficiencies identified during inspections.

Compared with 2024-2025, there has been a reduction in the percentage of inspections which have had conditions applied 33% to 20%. Officers have become more confident and consistent in applying licence conditions.

Condition No.

Count of conditions applied

Total Conditions

232

Total Licences

142

Licences with 1 Condition

81(57%)

Licences with 2 Conditions

42 (30%)

Licences with 3 Conditions

12 (8%)

Licences with 4+ Conditions

7 (5%)

Table 5 - Number of non-standard conditions per licence

The most common reasons for applying these non-standard conditions were:

Hazard  No of conditions Hazard 01 - Damp and mould growth: Structural damage resulting in water ingress  9 Hazard 02 - Excess cold: Inadequate or absent heating provision  8 Hazard 06 - Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products: Lack of carbon  6 monoxide detector

Hazard 09 - Uncombusted fuel gas: Absence of a valid gas safety certificate  3 Hazard 15 - Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse: Broken or damaged sanitary  1 facilities

Hazard 17 - Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage: Lack of suitable washing  3 facilities or damaged drainage

Hazard 18 - Water Supply: Property being supplied by non mains water (borehole /  3

well) without appropriate treatment

Hazard 20 - Falling on level surfaces etc: Damage to level surface which presents a  3

risk of falling

Hazard 21 - Falling on Stairs: Low handrails or unsafe gaps between banisters  17 Hazard 22 - Falling Between Levels: Windows lacking restrictors or low windowsills  64

or barrier

Hazard 23 - Electrical Hazards: Missing or out of date Electrical Installation  86 Condition Report (EICR)

Hazard 24 - Fire: Inadequate fire detection or protection measures  26 Hazard 25 - Flames, hot surfaces etc.: Damaged cooking appliances  1 Hazard 27 - Explosions: Lack of gas safety certificate and concerns about installation  2

Table 6 - Non-standard conditions by hazard

An additional seven hazard categories had licence conditions applied compared with the 2024-2025 reporting period. This reflects the increased number of inspections undertaken and the wider range of issues identified during inspections. The hazards which have been conditioned are generally in the same prevalence as reported in the 2024-2025 report.

Data Limitations

As part of the Scrutiny Panel's review, it was requested that this annual report include a breakdown of the

types and sizes of rental accommodation licensed under the scheme. However, the current structure of the

licensing process does not require applications to provide this information at the point of application.

Where inspections have been conducted, officers have gathered some relevant data on property

characteristics. However, based on current findings, features such as property size or type do not appear to

influence the presence or absence of hazards.

Compliance and Enforcement

As of 30 April 2026, the Regulation Directorate has not withdrawn or refused any licences on the grounds of poor property conditions. Additionally, no non-standard licence conditions have been escalated to the Minister for the Environment due to non-compliance.

Since 1 May 2026, two new licence applications have been refused due to unacceptable risks which could not be remedied without significant works. These are the only two refusals since the scheme was adopted in 2024.

The data indicates a continued high level of compliance among landlords with the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Jersey) Law 2018, reflecting a positive response to the introduction of the licensing scheme and a shared commitment to improving housing standards across the Island

From 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026 the following enforcement activity was recorded:

Metric  Total Complaints received relating to housing  283 Notice to produce documents served  3 Improvement notices served  5 Prohibition Orders served  1 Investigation relating to non-licensed dwellings* 20 Licence applications made due to investigations  26

Table 7 – Enforcement activity Between 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026

*Whilst investigations may have flagged a potentially non-licensed dwelling, the results of these investigations have resulted in a variety of outcomes including the property being exempt or licensed under the wrong address.

The Regulation Directorate remains committed to proportionate and constructive enforcement. Engagement with landlords and agents is carried out in line with the Directorate's enforcement policy, as outlined on page 1. All complaints received by the Directorate are investigated and appropriate action is taken to address identified issues. The relatively low number of enforcement actions required to secure compliance reflects the effectiveness of the Directorate's proportionate approach, based on the principles of the 4Es: Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce.

Officers aim to engage with landlords and tenants early, explaining legal requirements and providing advice to encourage voluntary compliance. Many hazards and property issues can be resolved through this collaborative approach, avoiding formal intervention. Formal enforcement action is reserved for situations where informal measures have failed or where serious breaches pose significant risks to health, safety or wellbeing.

Where hazards are identified during an inspection, landlords will receive a Hazard Awareness Report outlining the findings and any actions required. Where necessary, remedial measures may be included as non-standard licence conditions, with a specified timeframe for compliance. Landlords are expected to provide evidence that the required works have been completed.

In some cases, a short grace period may be granted before a licence is issued, particularly where issues would otherwise become licence conditions. Compliance periods may also be extended where delays are beyond the landlord's control and there is clear evidence that progress towards compliance is being made.

First renewals - Post 1 May 2026

During the transitional implementation period, from 1 May 2024 to 31 July 2024, all licences were issued with a commencement date of 1 May 2024. As a result, the initial two-year licence term for licences issued during this period expired on 30 April 2026.

As at 1 May 2026, a total of 16,327 licences had been renewed for the second term of the scheme, with 17,743 active licences in force. In addition, 233 licence applications had been received and were awaiting either inspection or a final determination.

This level of renewal demonstrates continued engagement with the licensing scheme and supports the ongoing regulation and oversight of licensed accommodation across the Island.

Since the commencement of the licensing scheme, a total of 810 licences have been withdrawn helping to ensure that regulatory oversight remains focused on properties operating withing the rented sector.

Of these, 474 withdrawals were achieved through direct officer engagement with licence holders as part of the renewal process, demonstrating the effectiveness of a proactive and collaborative approach. This engagement has helped identify properties that were no longer being used as rented dwellings, reducing unnecessary administrative requirements for licence holders while ensuring regulatory efforts are appropriately directed.

Importantly, only 17 of the 474 licences withdrawn through officer engagement have since been relicensed as rented dwellings, providing strong assurance that the vast majority related to properties that had genuinely exited the sector. This work has improved the quality and reliability of licensing data, enabling resources to be targeted more effectively towards properties that remain within the scope of the scheme and where regulatory intervention can have the greatest impact.

Ongoing Compliance

Looking ahead

At the time of writing, 420 licences remained outstanding for renewal, despite ongoing efforts by officers to establish the current status of the associated properties. Officers continue to engage with licence holders to determine whether these dwellings remain subject to licensing requirements or whether changes in circumstances, such as the sale of a property or the cessation of rental activity, have occurred without notification to the Directorate.

Further investigative work will be undertaken where necessary to verify compliance with the licensing regime. Where non-compliance is identified, appropriate regulatory action will be considered. This activity supports the effective administration of the scheme by ensuring that regulatory oversight remains focused on properties that continue to require licensing and that records remain accurate and up to date.

A key priority during the forthcoming reporting period will be the review of withdrawn licences to ensure that all rented dwellings falling within the scope of the licensing scheme are appropriately licensed and compliant with statutory requirements.

This work will include verifying the status of properties that have changed ownership to identify instances where dwellings continue to be rented following a sale. Where such circumstances are identified, officers will work with property owners to ensure compliance with the licensing framework.

Officers are currently undertaking a targeted inspection programme of agricultural worker accommodation. This project forms part of the Directorate's ongoing programme of proactive regulatory activity and follows a recommendation made by the Coroner in January 2025. Since 1 May 2026, officers have inspected 243 units of accommodation and identified 294 hazards requiring remedial action to achieve compliance with the Island's minimum housing standards.

The Directorate continues to promote compliance through its established "4 Es" approach. This framework provides a proportionate and graduated approach to regulation, supporting landlords and property owners in meeting their legal obligations while ensuring that formal enforcement action is taken where necessary to address persistent or significant non-compliance.

Through these activities, the Directorate will continue to safeguard housing standards, support improved living conditions for tenants, and maintain confidence in the regulatory framework governing rented accommodation across the Island.

Ongoing Implementation and Future Focus

As we focus on the first renewal cycle, we remain committed to continuously improving

our service and driving further improvements in housing standards across Jersey's rental

sector.

Key Achievements

The annual report outlines the performance and outcomes of the Rented Dwelling Licensing Scheme over the reporting period, demonstrating continued engagement across the sector and sustained levels of compliance with licensing requirements.

High Compliance: The vast majority of rented dwellings in Jersey are now licensed, indicating a consistently high level of compliance in the scheme. Early renewal data suggests that this level of compliance has continued into the first licence renewal cycle.

Approach: Licensing has allowed us to transform our approach to housing complaints. We can now engage with the landlord at a much earlier stage, allowing the landlord and tenant to come to a mutually agreeable solution to issues which arise in relation to the rental property.

Renewals: The first cycle of licence renewals commenced in mid-April 2026. To date, a high proportion of renewal applications have met

the licensing requirements, indicating good levels of ongoing compliance across the sector.

Next Steps: non-licensed dwelling licensed under the wrong address will continue as part of a risk-based programme, complemented by routine sampling of licensed properties. This approach helps ensure that a broad range of rental accommodation across the Island is reviewed, while allowing resources to be directed towards areas of greatest regulatory need.

The Directorate will also continue to prioritise digital improvements. This will include updates to the website to ensure that information remains accurate, accessible and up to date, while enhancing the overall user experience and supporting a more customer- focused service.

Compliance: Work will continue to support the timely renewal of licences for all rented dwellings subject to relicensing requirements.

The Directorate will also undertake a review of licences that have been withdrawn or not renewed to ensure that all properties requiring a licence are appropriately licensed and operating in accordance with the regulatory framework.

The scheme continues to provide a framework for regulatory oversight, supporting compliance and contributing to the provision of safe and well-maintained rented accommodation across the Island*.

*based upon the 716 properties inspected at random by the Directorate between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026

Supporting Landlords and Tenants

Online Resources

The Directorate has published a comprehensive suite of resources on the Government of Jersey website which are regularly updated to reflect current guidance. These include:

Rented dwellings licensing toolkit - Includes the online application form, Code of Practice, minimum standards, sample condition report, and lease agreement templates.

Tenant and landlord rights - Covers the Residential Tenancy Law and guidance on pets in rental properties.

Deposit protection in rented accommodation - Information on the Mydeposits scheme for safeguarding tenant deposits.

Condition reports for landlords and tenants – Guidance for both landlords and tenants on documenting property condition.

Housing standards - Detailed information on required living conditions.

Damp and condensation - Practical advice for managing moisture-related issues.

Direct Support

The Housing and Nuisance Team remains available to provide tailored support:

• Landlords seeking clarification on how to apply the Code of Practice in their properties.

• Tenants concerned about substandard living conditions.

They can be contacted via:

• 01534 445808

• [email protected]

Private landlords Rented Dwelling Properties – 31 December 2025

Number of Properties

number of landlords

Percentage of total

Number of properties

Percentage of total

1

4,131

71.1%

4131

36.1%

2-5

1,412

24.3%

3862

33.8%

6-10

177

3.0%

1307

11.4%

11-19

57

1.0%

788

6.9%

20-49

28

0.5%

806

7.1%

50+

8

0.1%

534

4.7%

Grand Total

5,626

100%

11,350

100%

Licences per Parish

Parish

Count of Parish (Dwelling) (Property)

Proportion of total

Grouville

672

4%

St. Brelade

1,113

6%

St. Clement

1,618

9%

St. Helier

9,933

54%

St. John & Trinity

660

4%

St. Lawrence

621

3%

St. Martin

439

2%

St. Mary

187

1%

St. Ouen

445

2%

St. Peter

695

4%

St. Saviour

2,032

11%

Total

18,415

100%

Private landlords licences per Parish

Parish

Count of Parish (Dwelling) (Property)

Proportion of total

Grouville

514

4.5%

St. Brelade

807

7.1%

St. Clement

661

5.8%

St. Helier

5,858

51.3%

St. John & Trinity

624

5.5%

St. Lawrence

497

4.3%

St. Martin

383

3.4%

St. Mary

167

1.5%

St. Ouen

367

3.2%

St. Peter

532

4.7%

St. Saviour

1,018

8.9%

Grand Total

11,428  

100.0%

Social landlords licences per Parish

Parish

Count of Parish (Dwelling) (Property)

Proportion of total

Grouville

158

2.3%

St. Brelade

306

4.4%

St. Clement

957

13.7%

St. Helier

4,075

58.3%

St. John & Trinity

36

0.5%

St. Lawrence

124

1.8%

St. Martin

56

0.8%

St. Mary

20

0.3%

St. Ouen

78

1.1%

St. Peter

163

2.3%

St. Saviour

1,014

14.5%

Grand Total

6,987

100.0%

Number of licences and unique private landlords operating in the parish

Parish

Count of licences

Landlords per parish

Average properties per landlord

Grouville

514

323

1.59

St. Brelade

807

562

1.44

St. Clement

661

475

1.39

St. Helier

5,858

3,147

1.86

St. John & Trinity

624

350

1.78

St. Lawrence

497

315

1.58

St. Martin

383

223

1.72

St. Mary

167

113

1.48

St. Ouen

367

216

1.70

St. Peter

532

324

1.64

St. Saviour

1,018

639

1.59