Allocations Policy for Sales

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made (05.09.07) to set out the allocations criteria for those wishing to buy property from the Housing Department as per the Social Housing Plan 2007-2016.

Decision Reference: MD-H-2007-0058
Decision Summary Title :	DS – HD20 Allocations Policy for Sales		Date of Decision Summary:	24 August 2007
Decision Summary Author:	Dominique Caunce – Director of Tenant Services		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Oral		Person Giving Oral Report:	Dominique Caunce – Director of Tenant Services
Written Report Title :			Date of Written Report:	15 June 2007
Written Report Author:	Dominique Caunce – Director of Tenant Services		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: A policy to set out the allocations criteria for those wishing to buy property from the Housing Department as per the Social Housing Property Plan 2007 – 2016
Decision(s): The Minister approved Policy HD20.
Reason(s) for Decision: To ensure a robust and transparent policy exists in respect of the sales of States owned property to States tenants.
Resource Implications: NIL
Action required: Director of Tenant Services to ensure that all homes sold through the Social Housing Property Plan 2007-2016 are sold in accordance with Policy HD20.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Allocations Policy for Sales

POLICY HD20

STATES OF JERSEY HOUSING DEPARTMENT

ALLOCATION POLICY FOR THE SALES OF HOUSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROPERTY PLAN

This policy will be used by the Housing Department to allocate properties for sale under a shared equity scheme in line with the Departments Property Plan.

All allocations/in principle agreements to sell are subject to contract.

No deposit will be required by the Department.

Who will qualify to purchase?

Any current tenant of States owned social housing will qualify to purchase. They must have been a States tenant for a minimum period of six months, be residentially qualified to purchase under the Housing Law and not be a current property owner.

Tenants who have owned or inherited property in the past will not be excluded from this scheme.

Properties can be purchased in joint names with partners, as long as they are residentially qualified to purchase under the Housing Law. If the partner already owns a property, then that property must be sold, to a First Time Buyer, before a purchase could be made under the Shared Equity Scheme.

How will we prioritise allocations?

If more than one individual/couple wish to purchase a particular property, priority will be given as follows:-

To the current sitting tenant of the property;
Need (i.e. a family will be given a higher priority than a single person for a family home);
Links to the Estate/Area;
Length of tenancy.

Other information may be taken into account and used at the discretion of the Housing Minister.

Effective Date

The policy shall become active on the date on which the respective Ministerial Decision was signed by the Minister.

Policy Drafted	June 2007	D Caunce Director of Tenant Services

Policy Reviews	Date	Reviewed By