Latest news with #PhilipBailhache
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey politicians clash ahead of tenancy law debate
Jersey politicians on opposing sides of an argument around the rights of tenants and landlords have clashed ahead of a debate on changing the island's tenancy changes to the existing legislation put forward by Housing Minister Deputy Sam Mezec would enable tenants to challenge rent increases and there would be a limit on the use of fixed-term Sir Philip Bailhache, who is also a landlord, called the changes "fundamentally unfair" and lodged amendments to "delete" Mezec's there is no limit to how often and by how much a landlord can increase the rent on their property and tenants have no right to appeal any changes. 'Unnecessary bureaucracy' Landlords can also issue a three-month notice period to evict a tenant without reason. The proposed tenancy law would see changes including rent increases capped at 5%, limited use of fixed-term tenancies, and shorter notice periods for bad Philip called the changes "unnecessary bureaucracy"."It's unfair on landlords to restrict their rent increases to 5% a year when inflation may be considerably higher and their own expenses of maintenance and renewals and so forth will not be capped at 5%," he said. "I don't think it will make life better for tenants because it is true that rents are high but that is a reflection of the value of property in the island."He added the changes could make landlords leave the market, reducing the number of rental properties and increasing Phillip said members of the government who own properties for rent would be able to "look at the issue objectively". 'Lack of compassion' Mezec said Sir Philip had not attempted to discuss his concerns about the law changes with him ahead of lodging his "ill-informed amendment". He said: "It [his proposals] strikes the right balance of protecting landlords when the tenant is causing a problem, but [also] protecting tenants when it's the landlord causing a problem."He added that increasing rents at times of high inflation was "enforcing hardship on tenants"."Surely this is a burden that ought to be shared," he said. "I think that it shows a lack of compassion and understanding for the experience of people who rent their homes in Jersey where it's already extortionately expensive compared to lots of other places in the world." Patrick Lynch, from the charity Caritas Jersey, said people had come to the charity for advice after having up to 30% increases put on their rent. "If those are limited then those ways of increasing rents that perhaps are not fair will be stopped," he said."That will be a benefit to the people who really just cannot afford those at the moment."As a result of viewing the legislation I think its very balanced for both sides." 'Difficult for landords' Guy Morris of Jersey's Landlords Association warned a survey showed 70% of island landlords would consider selling one unit of their portfolio if the changes came in to force. "It's going to make it really difficult for landlords to make ends meet in the future, he said."Landlords' costs have gone up by substantially more than the Retail Prices Index in recent years." He added that changes included limiting rent increases to once a year were already being done by "most responsible landlords".Later, politicians will have an in principle debate on whether the law should be actual details of the law will be discussed in September, including Sir Phillip's amendments.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
ID card scheme for French day-trippers to continue
Politicians have voted unanimously to continue a scheme which allows French day-trippers to visit Jersey using ID cards, rather than ID card scheme was introduced in 2023 when the number of day trip visitors dropped after Brexit because rules meant visitors needed the scheme being in place for two years, there has been uncertainty about its future due the UK introducing electronic travel authorisation for Sir Philip Bailhache, who brought forward the proposition, said "many French citizens do not possess a passport and rely upon their identity cards". Mr Bailhache has welcomed the States decision to continue the said: "I'm delighted that the assembly has agreed that the home affairs ministers should consider the concession in force and it will be of great assistance to our tourism industry."He added the decision was important because French day trippers had given a boost to the tourist economy."The estimate is that French day-trippers spend about £4.5m a year in Jersey, so this is clearly good for our restaurants and shop keepers," he added. Home affairs minister deputy Mary Le Hegarat said she supported the proposition but warned counterparts in the UK were not supportive of the scheme continuing."We have had a letter which basically says they are not supportive of it, but for us it is about balance," she Le Hegarat added: "We will be speaking to the UK again about the matter in person, I will go with the external relations minister so we can have those discussions about Jersey's economy and our tourist industry and how we move forward, because it is important we do that."It's critical for us to manage our economy and I'm hoping that the UK can see the evidence from the years we have been running this that it works well and it's not a risk to the borders and safety."In her ministerial comments on the proposition the minister said if the UK had concerns about the scheme which Jersey was unable to mitigate, it could lead "in a worst case scenario, which is considered unlikely, in the implementation of a hard border between the UK and Jersey."The BBC has approached the UK Government for comment.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
States rejects proposal for chief minister public vote
The States Assembly has rejected an "entirely unworkable" proposal to have the position of chief minister elected via a public vote. In a States meeting on Wednesday, former chief minister Deputy Kristina Moore proposed the role should be elected through an Jersey-wide vote, held in parallel with the general election. Ms Moore said the change would boost public engagement in the elections and "offer the electorate a greater level of transparency".The assembly rejected the proposition by 43 votes to one. Ms Moore was the only member in favour. She said: "Accountability of the role of chief minister within the public arena is lacking as voters do not have a say on who should be elected to the role. "Voters should be provided with the opportunity to indicate their preferred candidate for chief minister during the voting process." 'Presidential system' Ms Moore added it was possible under her proposal that an individual with no political experience might be elected."If this were the case, it is anticipated that the electorate would have made the decision based on the clear leadership qualities of the candidate who would be supported by the professional civil service in the transition," she said. Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache said the idea was "entirely unworkable.""There is a fundamental distinction between a presidential system and a ministerial system," he Kirsten Morel added the proposition would "turn the election into a presidential election".He said: "In an island of 100,000 people there is no place for a presidential election. "It would be damaging, it would be divisive and it would ultimately turn the island in many ways against each other, I fear."
