Inspections of agricultural staff accommodation

WQ.214/2026

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND REGULATION

BY DEPUTY L.V. FELTHAM OF ST. HELIER CENTRAL

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2026

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2026

Question

"Further  to  his  response  to  Oral  Question  84/2026  regarding  inspections  of  agricultural  staff accommodation, will the Minister advise –

1. how many accommodation units inspected since 1st May 2026 were found not to meet the required minimum standards, detailing the hazards identified, their severity, any remedial actions required, and in each case whether a formal notice was issued;
2. what remedial actions were requested in relation to these units, the relevant deadlines set, how many units remain subject to outstanding remedial works, and how compliance has been verified;
3. what criteria Officers apply to determine whether a hazard requires immediate action or formal enforcement, and what measures protect occupants while remedial works remain outstanding;
4. how many accommodation units which are expected to remain occupied during Winter have yet to be inspected, when those inspections will be completed, and whether inspections specifically assess suitability for Winter occupation, including heating, insulation, damp and mould, ventilation, weatherproofing, fire and electrical safety; and
5. what evidence can he give that agricultural workers' accommodation remaining occupied over Winter is safe and suitable, and what arrangements are in place, if any, with other relevant Ministers and agencies to secure safe alternative accommodation where necessary?"

Answer

1. Since 1 May 2026, officers have inspected 295 units of agricultural accommodation and identified 315 hazards requiring remedial action. Due to current system limitations, the Directorate cannot readily determine  how many  individual  units  failed  to  meet  the  required  standards  without manually reviewing each inspection record. However, the majority of inspected units were found to contain one or more hazards requiring remedial action.

The most common hazards identified related to excess cold, electrical safety, damp and mould, falls, and water supply issues. Most hazards were minor and addressed promptly following inspection, although a small number required more urgent intervention. No formal notices have been issued, as compliance has been secured through engagement with landlords.

2. Remedial actions have included improvements to heating, electrical installations, fire precautions, water supplies, damp and mould treatment, and other measures necessary to address hazards identified during inspection.

Timescales for completion vary according to the severity of the hazard and the nature of the works required. Compliance is verified through follow-up engagement, documentary evidence and, where appropriate, further inspections.

The number of units subject to outstanding remedial works is not possible to articulate without officers manually reviewing all records. Officers continue to work closely with those responsible for the premises to ensure the necessary improvements are completed.

3. Officers assess hazards using the Housing Heal th and Safety Rating System and professional judgement, taking account of the severity of risk and likelihood of harm. Where significant risks are  identified,  immediate  action  may  be  required  and  formal  enforcement  powers  may  be considered. While remedial works remain outstanding, officers may require temporary measures to reduce risk and will monitor cases until they are satisfied that accommodation is safe. The Directorate continues to monitor such cases until it is satisfied that the hazard has been mitigated to an acceptable level and that the accommodation is safe for continued occupation. Information this this is available in the Code of Practice for the Public Heal th and Safety legislation available at Rented Dwellings Li censing code of practice.pdf.
4. None of the agricultural accommodation currently known to the Directorate remains outstanding for inspection. Inspections assess accommodation using the Housing Heal th and Safety Rating System, which considers hazards likely to affect occupants throughout the year, including excess cold, damp and mould, ventilation, fire safety and electrical safety.
5. The Directorate's assurance is based on the inspection programme undertaken since May 2026, through which hazards have been identified and remedied where necessary. Where accommodation is reported to be occupied only seasonally, officers may undertake spot checks to verify occupancy arrangements. Where accommodation is occupied during periods not previously declared, and where this results in exposure to risks that have not been assessed, enforcement action may be considered. Officers also work with partners through the Migrant Safeguarding Partnership to support a coordinated approach to accommodation, welfare and safeguarding matters, including consideration of alternative accommodation where necessary.