MP calls for caution over Jersey’s pet law

States of Jersey may refuse to provide tenants with legal rights to keep pets after contacting change the law in favor of the tenants.

One politician said there should be guidelines instead.

In the amendment to proposal put forward in OctoberDavid Warr MP said the laws would be expensive and the code of practice would be better for tenants and landlords.

States are to debate proposals from MP Catherine Curtis, who wants to change the law to prevent homeowners from giving up pets without a good reason.

Curtis proposed that the Minister of Housing make the necessary changes to the legislation by March 31, 2025.

She said giving up a pet could be “very upsetting” for tenants, adding there should be a clear explanation of the reasons landlords give up pets.

The state report said the census showed that about half of Jersey households live in rental properties.

“So this proposal has the potential to improve the lives of many islanders while also benefiting the animals,” Curtis said.

In the new amendment, Warr said the legislative framework to do so would be “excessive and costly,” arguing for the adoption of generally accepted guidelines to allow pet policies to “evolve to the benefit of both tenants and landlords.”

Citing the risks of “codifying” the right to own a pet into law, he said the onus would be on the landlord to demonstrate a reasonable objection, rather than on the tenant proving they can look after a pet.

The law change would also create “unnecessary stress” in the tenant-landlord relationship, he added.

He said a code of practice would be more beneficial to tenants and landlords with “less risk” of strained relationships and contractual agreements, while it could be drawn up by an officer and the costs would “likely be included in the department’s budget for this year everything will be as usual.”