Landlord’s Neglect Has Cost Me Half My Business

Pet Groomer Blames Landlord Neglect for Major Business Loss

A Jersey pet groomer says her business has suffered badly because of her landlord’s failure to repair her rented shop unit.

Suzie Hazlewood, who ran Mucky Mutz in Les Quennevais Precinct, claimed repeated leaks and damp made her premises unsafe. “Water came through the ceiling into the electrics,” she said. “It got worse with mould and fungus growing.”

Ms Hazlewood said the building’s owner, UK-based High Tide Investments Ltd, had refused to carry out repairs, leaving many of the precinct’s shops “unfit for purpose.” She moved out in February 2024 after an electrical report warned the unit posed “a risk to life.”

After stopping rent payments in protest, Ms Hazlewood was taken to the petty debts court — but the case was dismissed on a technicality. She said she has since been locked out of the property, despite still being invoiced for rent.

Now operating as a mobile groomer, she said the dispute has cost her “half her business and thousands of pounds.”

Earlier this month, the States Assembly approved plans to regenerate the Les Quennevais area amid growing concern about neglected commercial properties. High Tide Investments has been contacted for comment.