Latest news with #housingPolicy
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Jersey chief minister denies tenancy reform 'rebellion'
Jersey's chief minister has denied his ministers are rebelling over proposed tenancy Deputy Lyndon Farnham admitted that eight or nine ministers and assistant ministers were expected to vote against the plans being brought forward by the housing minister on Minister Sam Mezec's proposed changes to the rental tenancy law would see new protections for tenants and landlords, including rent increases being capped at 5%.Bringing in new rental tenancies laws was part of the government's common strategic policy which sets out its main priorities. Deputy Jonathan Renouf referred to comments made by the chief minister in April, in which Farnham said the majority of ministers would support Deputy Mezec's plans with only one or two Renouf asked the chief minister if "he was still confident that only one or two ministers would vote against the plan and if not how big a rebellion is he expecting from his own ministers".The chief minister responded: "I'm not expecting a rebellion because we are more grown up around this Council of Ministers table. "We have processes and procedures for dealing with bona fide disagreements where views are strongly held between ministers and it's called an agreement to differ."He admitted the situation "had evolved" since his previous comments were made."But there is not a rebellion. It's a very grown-up, mature way of how we do business around the Council of Ministers table."When asked what the rebellion would suggest about the chief minister's ability to lead, he said: "It says we are an extremely pragmatic Council of Ministers."In this small island, that's the right way to go about things."
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.
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Angela Rayner slashes right-to-buy discounts in ‘attack on aspiration'
Discounts for council tenants seeking to buy their homes are to be drastically cut by Angela Rayner. As a result of the move, which will impose stringent restrictions on the right-to-buy scheme, the Deputy Prime Minister was accused of an 'attack on aspiration'. Under the new scheme, the discount will be cut to between five and 15 per cent, depending on how long the tenant has lived there, down from 35 per cent at present. Ms Rayner also announced that tenants must have lived in a council house for 10 years – up from the current three – to be able to qualify. People who have previously benefitted from the scheme will be barred from trying again, and newly built council houses will be exempt from the right to buy for 35 years. Kevin Hollinrake, shadow housing secretary, called Ms Rayner a 'hypocrite' as she had benefitted from right to buy herself. In 2007, Ms Rayner bought her former council house in Stockport, Greater Manchester, for £79,000 after claiming a 25 per cent discount. She later sold the property for £48,500 more than she paid for it. 'Today, Labour has chosen to quietly bury bad news, slipping out a policy that slashes right-to-buy eligibility and discounts,' Mr Hollinrake said. 'This is nothing short of an attack on aspiration. Labour is turning its back on the very families who work hard and want a stake in their future.' He added: 'For decades, right to buy has helped millions take their first step onto the housing ladder. Now, this Government is making it harder than ever to own a home. It is increasingly clear that the only guaranteed route to housing in this country is to arrive on a small boat. 'And the hypocrisy is staggering, Angela Rayner has personally benefitted from right to buy. Yet under her party's watch, that opportunity is being stripped away from others. Labour's message to aspiring homeowners is clear.' Right to Buy was the totemic policy of Margaret Thatcher in 1979, helping to propel her to her first general election victory. Sir Keir Starmer promised wholesale reform to restrict access, saying it had too dramatically refused the number of social houses available to people who needed them. Ms Rayner's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government department announced the changes on Wednesday night, saying it would bring forward legislation to increase the eligibility requirement from three to 10 years. The department said this would allow councils to rebuild their stock and to better ensure that only tenants who have paid rent on their homes for many years are able to benefit from the scheme. The changes will prevent existing property owners, or those who have previously benefitted from the scheme, from exercising the right to buy unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as being the victim of domestic abuse. Newly built social and affordable housing will be exempt from the right to buy for 35 years, making it more financially viable for the council to build new homes. This is much higher than the 10 or 20 years envisioned in a recent consultation document. Labour promised at the last election to build 1.5 million more homes over the course of the Parliament. It says many of these will be social and affordable homes.
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
What Labor's win means for first home buyers
Housing policy was a key focus for both sides of politics in the recent federal election campaign. Now that we know Labor has been returned, let's review what this means for first home buyers. Here is a summary of the key election commitments from Labor. Bear in mind they now need approval from the new Parliament, so we have to wait for the outcome of that legislative process. Expanded access to 5 per cent deposits for all first home buyers Labor has promised to expand the First Home Guarantee scheme to allow more first home buyers to purchase with a 5 per cent deposit without having to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Borrowers usually need a 20 per cent deposit to avoid LMI, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars and only protects the lender, not the borrower. Under the scheme, the government guarantees 15 per cent of the loan so the first home buyer can avoid LMI. Labor proposes to expand the scheme by removing current income caps, raising the purchase price caps and offering an unlimited number of loan guarantees. The changes would become effective next year. Labor says 150,000 people to date have purchased their first homes using the First Home Guarantee. Building 100,000 homes just for first home buyers Labor also promised $10 billion to help build up to 100,000 new homes to be reserved for purchase by first home buyers only. Labor's pitch was that this would mean first home buyers would not have to compete with investors, who often have bigger budgets and can afford to offer more at auction or in private negotiations. Expansion of the new Help to Buy scheme The Help to Buy shared equity scheme was passed by Parliament late last year after a long delay. Under the scheme, which is due to begin later this year, first home buyers can partner with the federal government to buy a home. Buyers need a minimum 2 per cent deposit to participate in the scheme, with the federal government taking up to a 30 per cent stake in established homes or a 40 per cent stake in brand new homes. Prior to the election, Labor announced it would raise the income and purchase price caps for the scheme so more people could take advantage of it. The new income caps will be $100,000 for individual buyers and $160,000 for joint applicants and single parents. Most of the new purchase price caps will be linked to the current median house price in each state and territory. For example, in Victoria, the new price cap will be $950,000 in Melbourne and major regional hubs and $650,000 elsewhere in regional Victoria. The price cap for Sydney and major NSW regional hubs will be $1.3 million and $800,000 for other parts of regional NSW. The price cap for Brisbane and major regional centres will be $1 million and $700,000 elsewhere in regional Queensland. Labor says more than 5 million properties across Australia are valued at less than the new price caps. I encourage all first home buyers to explore the government help available to help you buy. Remember, the policies above are federal. There are many other incentives on offer from the state and territory governments, too, such as stamp duty concessions and grants. It will pay to do your homework!
