‘Tenants will pay if law makes landlords upgrade’
Saturday 9th May 2009, 2:30PM BST.
VULNERABLE tenants could end up paying more because of law changes intended to protect them, it is feared.
HSSD has proposed law changes designed to stop landlords supplying overcrowded sub-standard accommodation, but the Guernsey Private Residential Landlords Association believes that the already-exploited tenants could end up footing the bill.
‘When the standards are raised, the tenant will end up paying for them,’ said GPRLA secretary Jeff Guilbert (pictured).
He feared that unscrupulous landlords would pass on the cost of upgrading their properties onto their tenants’ rent.
Portuguese Association president Elvio Pires said that if this happened guest workers would be forced to find somewhere else to live and work.
He also expressed doubt that overcrowding was a significant problem in the first place, but Mr Guilbert disagreed.
‘I am absolutely sure of it. I could give you names and addresses. It is a big problem,’ he said. ‘And as long as there is a lack of accommodation, bad landlords will always do the minimum required. The GPRLA would welcome any moves that would raise the standards from the bottom up.’
Mr Guilbert was also worried that new legislation would not consider factors unique to Guernsey.
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this is a joke. what the states should be addressing is the way landlords get their tenants housing licenses. All guest workers houses need to be cleaned up as they are bringing neighbouring houses down in price and making certain areas a no-go zone. environmental health should also be looking into these landlords properties.
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These landlords are so predictable is it in some way the tenants faults for having to live in sub standard accomodation?
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I think Deputy Adam is onto something here. Any Guernsey local would have been ‘shouting from the rafters’ and complaining feverishly had one of their siblings or relatives had to put up with the frankly shocking accomodation endured by temporary workers. Similar problems existed in the UK and recently legislation was passed to prevent just such issues arising again (however I am sure they will).
However instead of enforced legistation, how about a collaborative agreement approach between landlords and the States.
I feel more issues will be raised in any debate.
Issues such as the high tenancy costs and some of the rediculous clauses landlords place in their contracts.
One such clause comes to mind: total refurbishment of a property when the tenant leaves with a ‘no fair wear and tear’ clause). This requires the tenant to strip, repaint and recarpet a property when they leave at their own expense.
Tenancy contracts need to be standardised.
Perhaps the States could look into this to help protect both tenants and landlords.
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This is definitely a danger as there is already an insufficient volume of low income accomodation without pricing more people out of the market.
Disgruntled Neighbour – I’m not sure what experiences you have however to suggest ALL guest worker’s houses should be cleaned up is nonsense. I have visited the new accomodation used by La Fregate Hotel at the top of Les Canichers and it is brand new, clean and tidy. I’m sure there are some flea pits around but don’t generalise.
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GREAT EXCUSE for the Landlords to put prices up. They make huge profit and can easily absorb any new requirements dictated to them through legislation. They should be putting some money back into their houses to making them better places to live. SHAME ON YOU – LANDLORDS
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Perhaps the landlords should be named and shamed – that would soon encourage them to clean up their properties. However, the issue of overcrowding is not an easy one to solve. The island needs these guest workers but i am guessing that they do not want to pay high rent costs and that leaves a dilemma. Housing costs are high in Guernsey and unless their wages increase then the guest workers are going to lose out – and may decide it is not worth working here.
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