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.
gov.je