Evictions

Introduction

in 2026, amendments were made to the Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Law 2011 that provide greater clarity, consistency and protection to landlords and tenants.

Full details can be found in Guidance for the Residential Tenancy Law (March 2026)

There are two types of residential tenancies – fixed term tenancy agreements (with a fixed end date) and periodic tenancy agreements (with no end date).

If a tenant stays in the property after their fixed term tenancy has ended, and the landlord accepts rent, it automatically converts into a periodic tenancy.

A residential tenancy can be ended by either party to the agreement (landlord or tenant). The party wishing to end the tenancy must give written notice to the other. The Notice of Termination must state the reason for ending the tenancy (if the law requires one), give the appropriate notice period and specify the last day of the tenancy.

The Court may vary or terminate a residential tenancy, and order that a tenant be evicted from the property by the Viscount if they have failed to vacate after the notice period has expired.

A landlord may apply to the Court for an eviction order regardless of how much the annual rent for the property is. The application may include a claim for rental arrears due by the tenant under the residential tenancy agreement, without any limit in value.

Eviction proceedings are not straightforward so taking legal advice is recommended.

If your case relates to a commercial lease, you should contact the Magistrate’s Court Greffe in the first instance.

Ending a fixed-term tenancy which started before 15 April 2026

The following information applies to fixed-term residential tenancies started before 15 April 2026, which have not been varied or renewed after that date.

There are two ways to bring proceedings to Court, depending on whether the tenant has breached the tenancy agreement or not.

• If there is no breach and you want possession before the end of the fixed-term (Article 11)

You must send your tenant a "Notice to Quit", giving them 3 months' notice to vacate the property. If they fail to leave by the date specified on the Notice, you may start eviction proceedings by preparing a Summons and Claim Summary for the Court.

 Example of Notice to Quit, Summons & Claim Summary (Art 11)

• If your tenant has breached the tenancy agreement and you want possession (Article 12)

If your tenant is in breach of the tenancy agreement, for instance they have failed to pay the rent or have caused disturbance at the property, you must send them a "Notice of Breach", giving them 7 days minimum to rectify the breach(es). If the breach(es) remain unresolved after the notice given has expired, you may start eviction proceedings by preparing a Summons and Claim Summary for the Court.

Example of Notice to Rectify the Breach, Summons & Claim Summary (Art 12)

See How to bring an eviction claim for detailed guidance on the Court process.

Ending a fixed-term tenancy started on or after 15 April 2026 or any periodic tenancy

The new law changes what is required of a landlord or tenant either wants to give notice to end a residential tenancy, and what notice period must be given.

Giving notice

Under the amended law, landlord and tenant may end a residential tenancy by giving written notice, with or without a reason, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 6C, 6D, 6E or 6F.

• When the initial term ends (Article 6C)

Landlord or tenant must give notice for an initial term to end, failing which the tenancy continues as a periodic tenancy.

Landlord must give at least 3 months’ notice; tenant must give at least 1 month's notice.

• During the initial term, without a reason (Article 6D)

Landlord must give at least 3 months’ notice; tenant must give at least 1 month's notice (unless stated otherwise in the tenancy agreement).

• During a periodic tenancy, without a reason (Article 6E)

Landlord must give at least 1 year’s notice; tenant must give at least 1 month's notice.

Example of Notice of Termination (Art 6C, 6D or 6E)

• During the initial term or periodic tenancy, for a specific reason (Article 6F)

The minimum notice period the landlord must give depends upon the type of tenancy and the reason for ending it.

	Reason	Initial term	Periodic tenancy
(a)	sale or change of use	Not applicable	3 or 6 months
(b)	renovation	Not applicable	3 or 6 months
(c)	use by landlord or family	Not applicable	3 or 6 months
(d)	use by landlord’s helper	Not applicable	3 or 6 months
(e)	under-occupied social rented housing	3 months	3 or 6 months
(f)	tenant’s residential status	3 months	3 months
(g)	serious breach of tenancy agreement*	1 month	1 month
(h)	uninhabitable residence	1 month	1 month
(i)	breach of ownership document*	1 month	1 month
(j)	breach of insurance policy*	1 month	1 month
(k)	residence left empty	1 month	1 month
(l)	tenant’s work	7 days	7 days
(m)	tenant’s work permit or visa	7 days	7 days
(n)	tenant’s illegality or nuisance	7 days	7 days
(o)	tenant’s residential status from incorrect information	7 days	7 days

*Before issuing a notice of termination of tenancy under Articles 6F(g), 6F(i) or 6F(j), the landlord must give 7 days’ written notice to rectify the breach(es).

If the notice period above says 3 or 6 months, the landlord must give: 3 months if the residential tenancy is less than 5 years old, 6 months if it is 5 years old or more.

If a tenant remains in the property after the notice period has expired, the landlord may apply to the Court for an Order of eviction under Article 11 (see below).

Example of Notice of Breach (Art 6F), Notice of Termination (Art 6F)

Applying to the Court for variation or termination of a tenancy and/or an Order of eviction

• Under Article 8

If a service element of a tenancy agreement fails, the agreement is not in writing, is missing details, or the opportunity to read the agreement has been denied, a tenant may apply to the Court for a variation or termination of the tenancy agreement.

• Under Article 10 

If a tenant considers that the landlord is preventing normal occupancy or enjoyment of the property, the tenant may apply to the Court for a variation or termination of the tenancy agreement.

• Under Article 11 

If a tenant fails to vacate the property after the notice period specified in the notice of termination of tenancy under Article 6 has expired, a landlord may apply to the Court for an Order of eviction.

For any application to the Court by a landlord, under Article 11 of the amended law (or Article 12 of the pre-amended law), the Summons that starts the proceedings must be served on the tenant(s) personally by the Viscount who will charge a fee to do so.

Example of Summons & Claim Summary (Art.11)

What to do if you receive a Summons for eviction

If your landlord is bringing a case to Court which could result in you being evicted from their property. On receiving a Summons you should:

• call the Petty Debts Court Greffier on +44 (0) 1534 440081 to confirm you will attend on the date given on the Summons and ask any questions you have about the Court process
• contact the Legal Aid office on +44 (0) 1534 613999. If you are eligible for legal aid, they will provide you with an Advocate to assist you throughout the proceedings and speak on your behalf in Court free of charge
• contact Citizens Advice for assistance on +44 (0) 1534 724942 if you are not eligible for legal aid
• prepare a brief statement for the Judge detailing your personal and financial circumstances and your account of what has happened that led your landlord to take you to court

As you walk into the Magistrate’s Court building, on the left-hand side is the reception desk where the Ushers sit. You should report to the Usher on the desk who will note your attendance and tell you in which of the three courtrooms your case is being heard.

Hearing loop facilities are available on request.

If for some good reason you are unable to attend court, you should contact the Court immediately. You will be asked to provide evidence to justify your non-attendance, so that alternative arrangements can be made. If you do not attend and do not explain your non-attendance to the Court beforehand, an Eviction Order may be made against you.