Simplified summary of the Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Amendment Law 2025

A major update strengthening tenants’ rights, clarifying landlord obligations, and introducing new protections around notice periods, rent increases, and dispute resolution.

 Key changes at a glance

1. Tenancies now fall into two types only

• Initial term tenancy: Up to three years maximum
• Periodic tenancy: Automatically ongoing (e.g. month‑to‑month) if no end‑of‑term notice is given

Landlords can no longer create long fixed terms or extend them beyond three years. Anything longer automatically becomes a three year term

2. Stronger rules for ending a tenancy

Ending at the end of an initial term

• Landlord must give three months’ notice
• Tenant must give one months’ notice
• If notice is late, the term extends automatically (three months for landlords, one month for tenants)

If no one gives notice, the tenancy becomes periodic

Ending during an initial term (no reason needed)

• Landlord: three months’ notice
• Tenant: one months’ notice
• Only allowed if the tenancy agreement contains clear “early end” conditions

Ending a periodic tenancy (no reason needed)

• Landlord: 12 months’ notice
• Tenant: one months’ notice

This introduces a major new protection: landlords must now give 12 months’ notice for no‑fault evictions.

3. Landlords may end a tenancy for specific permitted reasons

A detailed list now exists, with notice periods linked to how long the tenant has lived in the property.
Reasons include:

• Selling the property
• Renovation requiring the tenant to move out
• Landlord or close family needing to live there
• Social housing under‑occupation
• Serious breach of agreement
• Illegal use or serious nuisance
• Tenant loses required work permit/visa
• Property left empty for a long period

Notice periods vary from seven days to six months depending on the reason and the tenant’s total time living in the property.

4. Rent increases are now strictly controlled

Default rules (apply to most situations):

• Rent can only increase once every 12 months
• Tenant must receive two months’ written notice
• Increase cannot exceed the Jersey Retail Prices Index (RPI) for the past year

Exceptions exist for:

• Employer‑provided accommodation
• Social housing, where the Minister can set different rules
• Improvements or where the rent has fallen well below market level, subject to:
  • justification
  • possibly a Rent Tribunal ruling

5. A new independent Rent Tribunal is created

A major reform. The tribunal can:

• Decide whether a proposed rent increase is lawful
• Hear certain disputes about rent rules
• Review exceptional‑increase requests

Key features:

• Minimum three members, including a chair
• Independent appointment and conduct rules
• Decisions can be appealed to the Royal Court on points of law only

6. Landlords now have reporting duties

Landlords must provide rent information to the Minister when requested.
Failure to report or providing misleading information can lead to a fine.

7. Clearer rules on uninhabitable properties

If a property becomes uninhabitable (e.g., fire, flood):

• Tenants do not have to pay rent during the affected period unless they caused the damage intentionally/recklessly

If a landlord provides suitable alternative accommodation, different agreements may apply.

8. Automatic rules when notices are sent

Standardised rules now define:

• When notice is considered received (email, post, in person)
• When notice periods start
• The ability to recover amounts owed as civil debts

9. Tenancy agreements must meet new content standards

Tenancy agreements must:

• Be in writing
• Include newly expanded required details, such as:
  • contact details and emergency numbers
  • who handles utilities
  • who maintains fixtures and appliances
  • conditions for early termination
  • insurance responsibilities

Landlords must give tenants a signed copy promptly.

All agreements automatically include mandatory clauses (even if omitted).

10. Tougher rules on eviction

A landlord can only evict if:

• The tenancy has legally ended, and
• The tenant has not surrendered the property

For certain landlord‑based reasons (sale, family use, etc.), eviction becomes mandatory if the court is satisfied the tenancy was ended correctly.

11. Transitional rules for existing tenancies

• Fixed‑term tenancies continue under old rules until they end
• They cannot be varied or renewed, and any new agreement must be created under the new law
• Periodic tenancies immediately operate under the new rules
• Rules clarify how “total duration” is calculated across old and new tenancies

12. Old rent‑control laws are abolished

Outdated 1946–1993 rent control laws are formally removed.

What this means for tenants

• Much stronger security of tenure
• Clear notice periods and protections
• Right to challenge unlawful rent increases
• Enhanced clarity in tenancy agreements
• Better safeguards if property becomes uninhabitable

What this means for landlords

• There are stricter notice rules
• Rent increases are regulated and monitored
• Must supply detailed tenancy agreements
• Must report rent information to the Minister
• Certain reasons for eviction require proper evidence and process
• Need to understand new Tribunal processes