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.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Print 2008-11-11