The Property Market

Housing controls are strict in Guernsey. The regulations are detailed and complex, but to summerise, the housing market is split into two separate markets: open and local. Local market property is available only to those who hold residential qualification as determined by the Housing Authority. In practice this means those who were born in Guernsey or who hold a housing licence. Open market property is available to all people resident in Guernsey, but is targeted at residents who have arrived from abroad and do not hold the requisite housing licence to qualify for local status.

Rented accommodation is similarly controlled and categorised into 'open market' and 'local market' accommodation. The more limited supply of “open market” accommodation means that it tends to be more expensive than “local market” property. However, the difficulty in obtaining housing licence and their restrictive terms means that “open market” property remains an attractive option to many immigrants. There are approximately 1600 properties on the Open Market register.

Click here to learn more

Download our FREE 16 page guide