This Is Guernsey

By Simon Tostevin

LETTERS telling States house tenants they had to leave their accommodation did not come ‘out of the blue’, says Deputy Mark Dorey. The deputy Housing minister said it was not true that

no warning had been given

to tenants that they would have to leave in four months or that their rent would go

up.

‘The timelines show that tenants have been advised on numerous occasions of how rents would increase for those on higher incomes and how the tenancy review policy would operate,’ said Deputy Dorey.

‘Contrary to what has been suggested by tenants who have approached the media, the tenancy review procedure is operated in a fair and reasonable manner.

‘Any tenant whose tenancy is reviewed is asked to submit a raft of income and other information upon which the decision is made.’

In the event that the tenant was deemed no longer eligible for a States house, they were then given 28 days to request an internal review of the decision, during which time they could provide supplementary information.

Deputy Dorey said if the decision was then confirmed, then the tenant had a further 28 days to appeal to the independent Housing Appeals Tribunal.

‘It is only after the opportunity to exercise these appeal processes has expired that a notice to quit is issued, giving them four months to find alternative accommodation.

‘However, that period may be extended where the tenant is genuinely unable to vacate within that time period.

‘Alternatively, the tenant has the right for their eviction to be heard in the Royal Court.

‘No one is asked to leave States accommodation if they are unable to afford a suitable alternative and the appeal processes can be used to test that that is indeed the case.’

Deputy Dorey said the tenancy review policy had been a contributory factor in reducing the size of the waiting list for States accommodation as well as the time families were waiting for a house.

‘Our mandate is to meet housing needs. That means offering good-quality housing for people on the lowest income and not keeping people in States accommodation who can afford to purchase or rent in the private sector.

‘It’s a tough policy, but one that we must apply if we are not to embark on an unnecessary and costly building programme due to States housing being blocked by those whose circumstances have improved since they did need help.’

Article posted on 17th May, 2007 - 12.00am