Island's rarely-used law upheld

Landlords in Jersey could be liable for damage done by tenants to a neighbouring property.

It follows two precedents set in the Court of Appeal for the use of the rarely-used Jersey law of voisinage.

The customary law is described as "the duty imposed by law on a property owner not to cause damage to his neighbour".

The court ruled both landlord and tenant are liable. It also established a breach of voisinage can be brought up to 10 years after the alleged damage.

It means if damage is caused by a neighbour who is renting from a company, that company as well as the neighbour could be sued.

It is believed the law of voisinage is Norman-French in origin.

This was disputed in the Court of Appeal, but the court ruled it did exist and therefore formed part of Jersey law.

 Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/