The Housing (Control of Occupation) (Guernsey) Law, 1994, provides for two principal types of licences:

1. Those which are employment related; and
2. Those which are not employment related i.e. non-essential

There is a number of variations within each of these two main types.

Employment Related Licences

There are two main types of employment related licences:

1. "Essential" licences and
2. "Short Term" licences.

Essential Licence
Essential licences recognise a shortage of skilled staff, whereas Short Term licences generally reflect a shortage of manpower i.e. whether unskilled or semi-skilled.
Essential licences can be for any period up to fifteen years but the majority are for a term of between three and five years.

Since the late 1980s, it has been the Housing Department's policy to limit the majority of essential licence holders to five years residence in support of the States of Guernsey's Population Objective, to limit the growth in population.

Essential licences generally enable the holders to occupy their own units of accommodation together, where appropriate, with their immediate family.
Before the grant of each licence the Housing Department will subject each application to a thorough test of "essentiality" and will need to be satisfied that there is no suitable local person available for the employment.
In considering applications for essential licences the Department will:

1. seek the advice, where appropriate, of an independent body e.g. the Commerce and Employment Department or the Guernsey Financial Services Commission;
2. take account of the employer's training programme.

Where it has been convinced that the post is essential to the community, the Housing Department will issue a licence for up to five years unless it has been established that:

1. the skills/expertise required for the post are scarce on a national/international basis so that the recruitment is exceptionally difficult; or
2. the need for long-term continuity in the post is paramount;

In which case the Housing Department might grant a longer-term licence.

Short Term
Short Term Licences are generally issued to workers in industries which have manpower shortages. They can be for periods up to nine months for temporary or seasonal work or up to three years for other employment.

These licences are issued for restricted accommodation only, that is, staff quarters, board and lodgings or living in an existing household. Short term licence holders are not permitted to occupy a unit of Local Market accommodation in their own right.
The short-term licence is for single or unaccompanied people only. They do not allow the licensee to accommodate other family members.

Generally, when the short-term licence expires the person has to leave the Island for a minimum period of three months before being eligible for another short-term licence. The Law states that a short term licence holder must be absent from the Island for three months before a nine month licence is granted and absent for three years before a three year licence is granted.

Click here for Guidance Notes for Employers

Non-Essential Licences - Not Related to Employment
Non-essential or "compassionate" licences are issued where the person has strong connections with the Island, particularly through an extended period of recent residence.
Situations where such licences may be issued include:

How to Apply for a Housing Licence:
Applications should be submitted in writing to the following address:

Housing Department
Housing Control Section
Sir Charles Frossard House
PO Box 43
La Charroterie
GY1 1FH

Tel: 01481 715790
E-mail housing.control@gov.gg

If application is being made for an employment related licence it should generally be submitted by your prospective employer.

Click here for Guidance Notes for Employers

Application forms are available online here.
For more information on submitting an application for a licence, contact the Housing Department as detailed above or E-mail Us