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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Short-term holiday lettings reminder

15 November 2022

​Islanders are being reminded of the planning rules and required permissions for using homes for short-term holiday lettings. 

The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, recently set out his ministerial priorities, which included ensuring the Island makes better use of existing homes. 

Housing and planning officers have been reviewing local properties that are currently being advertised for short-term and holiday lettings, following concern that a large number of homes which should be available in the local housing market are instead being used for this purpose. 

Deputy Warr said: “I was extremely surprised to learn of the scale at which homes in the Island are being taken out of the local housing market to be used as short-term holiday lettings, at a time when an affordable housing supply is so desperately needed. From flats in town, to developments that should be reserved for first time buyers, it is very clear that there are many properties being used in this way, that shouldn’t be. 

“I have approached the Environment Minister on this matter, who shares my concerns and equally wants to ensure these properties have the right permissions, and where they don’t, that appropriate action is taken.” 

Under the Planning and Building Law, the use of a dwelling for short-term holiday letting is defined as ‘development’, which requires planning permission. Whilst the Bridging Island Plan is supportive of proposals that contribute to the quality and range of Jersey’s visitor accommodation offer, the loss of existing housing units for this purpose will not normally be supported.

The Minister for Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said: “One of the main purposes of the Island Plan is to give the opportunity to weigh up the benefits of a proposed development or change of use. In the case of short-term holiday lettings, there is clearly some tension with the need to support the growth and diversification of our tourism industry, whilst also recognising the critical need to ensure the availability of homes for Islanders to live in. Applying for planning permission allows the merits of a potential short-term let to be tested against the policies of the Island Plan.

“It is troubling to learn that there appears be a high number of properties being used for short  term lets without having been through this process of evaluation. I do however also recognise that some people may simply not be aware of the rules. Therefore, I invite all those who may be advertising and using their property for short-term holiday lets, where they don’t already have planning permission, to take action now to either seek regularisation with a planning application or make the decision to stop.

“Our greatest concern is centred around entire units of accommodation being used for long periods as a series of short-term lettings, and not where someone may be renting a single room in their home or, for example, letting their home as a one-off whilst on holiday to generate income.” 

Over the next few months, officers from Infrastructure, Housing and Environment will be taking further proactive steps to ensure that properties currently listed on holiday letting websites have the right permissions.

Islanders can contact planning@gov.je for advice and clarification on housing units and short-term lettings.

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