The Jersey Landlords' Association says it's working with the government on revisions to guidance for complying with health and safety standards in rented homes after criticising the official code of practice.

The JLA has heavily criticised the current version of the 124 page document.

It was published in April, ahead of a new licensing scheme that took effect this summer making it illegal to rent out a home without a permit.

The JLA said at the time that it provided no clear guidance for how to comply with the minimum standards.

Read: Jersey Landlords Associations says licensing scheme is 'a fudge'

JLA Chair Guy Morris says it lacks practical advice:

"We were a bit disappointed, first of all that the JLA weren't consulted on it, but second of all that it turned into a 124-page technical manual. 

"It's really difficult to read and didn't give any helpful, on the ground guidance for landlords to assess their tenant's homes."

The JLA says it is now in 'active consultation' with the government's Housing and Nuisance Team about the publication of new guidelines which it hopes will be 'more practical and easier to read'.

Whilst that is being drafted though, the association is hosting three presentations outlining 'objective obligations' that it says is missing from the code of practice. 

The talks are due to take place on:

• 19 September at St Helier Town Hall at 1pm
• 9 October at St Helier Town Hall at 1pm
• 13 November at St Brelade Parish Hall at 1pm.

The JLA has asked the government team to attend these talks and clarify the health and safety standards in Jersey's rented homes. 

Guy Morris hopes this will be useful to both landlords and tenants: 

"The 124-page document had lots of gaps. It tells landlords not very much about the practical aspects of what to do if they find a fault, and it doesn't really help tenants either.

"Hopefully the presentations, which are being given by trained environmental health officers, should fill in a lot of these gaps."