Housing

Because the island has a limited housing stock, Guernsey has a unique housing control system, which also functions as a form of population control.
This system splits the housing stock into two tiers: the Open Market and the Local Market. Although there are no restrictions on buying property in Guernsey, there are on occupation.
Local Market properties can only be occupied by those who hold local qualifications, while Open Market properties are more widely available.

Qualifying as a local resident

In general terms, anyone born in Guernsey who has spent at least ten years of their childhood here,

or is married to someone with Local Market qualifications and has spent at least ten consecutive years on the island, will usually qualify for Local Market status.

The Open Market

There are approximately 1600 properties on the Open Market register and any British or EU national can take up residence in these.

Full details of Guernsey’s housing laws can be found at www.gov.gg.

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www.gov.gg