A politician is stepping up his bid to ban buy to let purchasers acquiring any units at a 150-home scheme.

ITV News reports that Jersey politician Sam Mezec wants to stop investors from buying new homes planned for the South Hill development in the island’s capital town, St Helier.

He has lodged a proposition with the States to protect first-time buyers by making sure properties are not bought to rent out; he describes South Hill an opportunity to improve the island’s affordable housing prospects “which should not be wasted.”

Back in February Mézec, a former Jersey housing minister, proposed a ban on foreign investors purchasing any new waterfront unit. 

It is already the law that only 20 non-residents may purchase property on the island each calendar year.

A consultation process is already underway on Jersey about whether landlords should be banned from refusing to let to families.

The Discrimination (Jersey) Law 2013 currently protects people from discrimination on various grounds, including age; however, one article in the law allows discrimination in relation to the management of premises – meaning a prospective or existing tenant of residential property could be discriminated against if they have a child or children.