Clear and transparent Open Market inscriptions policy comes into effect
The Committee for Housing has brought into effect a clear and transparent applications policy outlining when a property can be inscribed onto the Open Market Housing Register.
The policy will also ensure that public finances benefit from the inscription of Open Market properties while also having the potential to increase the financial viability of Local Market developments and bring other community benefits.
People can now apply to:
- Transfer an Open Market Part A inscription from an existing Open Market Part A property to either a smaller Local Market property for the purpose of downsizing or to properties on a Local Market development site.
- Regularise an anomaly property (e.g. where an Open Market property includes a Local Market room or rooms)
- Inscribe a Local Market property onto Part A of the Open Market in exceptional circumstances, such as for wider strategic benefits
- Delete an inscription from an Open Market dwelling
The updated Open Market Part A Inscriptions Policy and new application forms have been published at gov.gg/openmarketapply.
The new policy does not remove or reduce any pre-existing rights which an Open Market resident has acquired under existing Population Management or Housing Control laws.
As previously announced, the only aspect of the amended law and policy that is not coming into effect at this time is for completely new inscriptions, apart from those for exceptional circumstance properties. Because the number of completely new Part A inscriptions will generally be limited to a low number per calendar year, a transparent application and decision-making process is needed. Therefore, the Committee for Housing is considering what the fairest and most transparent solution will be, while respecting the engagement and feedback from industry and relevant stakeholders. The remaining parts of the amended Law and policy will be brought into effect when the necessary systems are in place.
Deputy Steve Williams, President of the Committee for Housing, said:
"It's fantastic to be able to deliver this workstream within the Guernsey Housing Plan, bringing fairness and transparency to how properties are added to, and removed from, the Open Market.
"As well as increasing the quality of Guernsey's Open Market housing stock, and sensitively increasing the quantity of these homes available, we shouldn't fail to recognise the benefits this will also bring to those of us living in Local Market homes.
"Making it easier for Open Market residents to downsize frees up larger Local Market homes for those looking to move up the housing chain. Permitting a limited number of Open Market homes on new developments could also make a currently unviable development viable and deliverable, bringing many more Local Market homes into circulation.
"It's important to be able to deliver this important economic enabler for our island.
