Applying for a registration card
You'll need to apply for a registration card if you:
- move to Jersey
- enter into a lease
- start a job
In any event, you must apply for a card within 3 months of arriving on the Island.
You're most likely to be given the residential status of ‘registered’ when you get your card, unless you qualify under an alternative status.
Being ‘registered’ entitles you to live in certain types of accommodation, which are explained on this page.
Residential statuses and what they mean
Where you can live as a registered person
Lodging accommodation
As a ‘registered’ person you're allowed to live in lodging accommodation. You must show your registration card and photo ID to the lodging accommodation keeper.
If you live in a self-contained unit (which contains a living and sleeping area, kitchen and bathroom), you should have a lease agreement.
If your facilities are shared, you do not need a registration card and you're not deemed to be a tenant. This means that you do not have the same rights as a tenant, for example in relation to notice periods.
Moving house or job (employment and careers section)
Lodging accommodation standards
We lay out minimum standards for lodging accommodation. Properties must be re-registered each year and are inspected to ensure they meet the required standards.
Other accommodation you're entitled to use
Anyone who comes to Jersey can live in:
- private lodgings
- tourist accommodation (short stay and out of season)
Private lodgings
Private lodgings are where the person providing your accommodation lives in the same property. That person can have up to 5 lodgers, including children of any age.
Private lodgings are not the same as registered lodging accommodation (lodging houses). With private lodgings, there's no lease or contract between you and the person providing the accommodation. This is because, by law, the person providing the private lodgings to you must:
- have 'entitled' residential status and also live in the property
- offer you (and each of their lodgers) a service such as cleaning
- maintain rights to the accommodation
- maintain the right to unrestricted access to the accommodation at all times
- be allowed to ask you to leave the accommodation without giving you notice
The person providing the accommodation to you must not ask you to sign a lease or enter into any kind of legal contract.
Tourist accommodation
Tourist accommodation is registered with the Government of Jersey and includes:
- hotels
- guesthouses
- self-catering units
- camp sites
How to find accommodation
You should use private sector estate agents or agencies to find registered lodging accommodation.
Tenant and landlord rights
List of estate agents (private rental)
Advice on disputes
The Population Office cannot become involved in disputes between landlords and tenants. These are civil matters which must be dealt with by negotiation or litigation.
If you need advice on legal disputes you should contact the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
gov.je