Deputy Warr advises caution on pet rights legislation for renters

Jersey’s States may opt against granting housing tenants legal entitlements to keep pets, following a call for legislative amendments favouring renters. One politician has instead proposed the implementation of guidelines. In an amendment to a proposition introduced in October, Deputy David Warr asserted that establishing laws would be costly and that a code of practice would be more advantageous for both tenants and landlords. The States are scheduled to deliberate on proposals from Deputy Catherine Curtis, who aims to modify the law to prevent landlords from refusing pets without a valid reason. Curtis submitted a proposition requesting the minister for housing to enact the necessary legislative changes before March 31, 2025. She stated that relinquishing a pet could be “hugely distressing” for tenants, adding that landlords should provide a clear explanation for refusing animals. A States report indicated that a census showed approximately half of Jersey’s households reside in rented properties. Curtis commented, “Therefore, this proposition could improve the lives of a lot of islanders, benefiting the animals too.” In a subsequent amendment, Warr described a legislative framework for this issue as “excessive and costly.” He advocated for an accepted guidance framework, which would allow the policy on pets to “evolve for the benefit of both tenants and landlords.” Citing risks associated with “enshrining” the right to own a pet in law, he noted that the responsibility would fall on the landlord to demonstrate a reasonable objection, rather than on the tenant to prove their ability to care for a pet. He further contended that a change in law would also impose “unnecessary stress” on the tenant-landlord relationship. Warr suggested that a code of practice would be more beneficial to tenants and landlords, carrying “less risk” of straining relationships and contractual agreements. He added that an officer could draft it, with costs “likely to be included in the departmental budget for the year as it will be business as usual.”