10 July 2018
The Rent Safe Scheme, designed to assure tenants that landlords meet States’ standards, is being extended to include managing agents and letting agents.
To join the Rent Safe Scheme, managing agents and letting agents must demonstrate that they meet minimum criteria expected of a responsible company. Landlords already have to ensure their rental properties adhere to legal and property standards.
At a breakfast meeting at the Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday 11 July), Environmental Health will launch the scheme to the Jersey Estate Agents Association (JEAA), and will present the first accredited companies with their certificates.
Stewart Petrie, Director of Environmental Health, said: “This is really good news for people looking to rent accommodation. Joining the scheme is free and enables the agent or landlord to demonstrate their commitment to providing homes that are free from hazards and are managed appropriately.
“We have some great agents and excellent landlords and are delighted to work with them. Knowing the agent is professional, competent and trustworthy is a great first step; renting an accredited property through an accredited agent will bring confidence in the process and peace of mind. We expect more agents and landlords to join the scheme and for the Rent Safe logo to be seen much more frequently.”
People renting through an accredited agent can be sure that the accredited agent has:
- acceptable know your customer (KYC) procedures
- an acceptable standard tenancy agreement
- an acceptable standard schedule of condition
- lodged the deposit with My Deposits Jersey (or, if the landlord is responsible, appropriate advice is provided to the landlord)
- public indemnity insurance
- a dedicated out of hours emergency contact number
- an appropriate tenant referencing procedure
- a minimum of biannual inspections (or appropriate advice provided to the landlord)
- an understanding of, and aim to achieve, minimum standards required under the Rent Safe Scheme within properties for which they have direct management responsibility
Accredited agents and landlords can advertise their accreditation, and potential tenants can check that an agent or landlord is accredited by visiting www.gov.je/rentsafe or asking to see the Rent Safe certificate when visiting the agent or viewing the property.
gov.je