The Ministry of Housing in Fiji is advising residents to avoid buying properties in informal settlements across the nation. This warning follows a recent case in which a person lost $10,000 in a cash deal for a house that did not have any formal ownership documents.
The ministry expressed concern after the original landowner reappeared, claiming ignorance of the transaction and ordering the buyer to vacate the property. In a statement released yesterday, the ministry urged potential homebuyers to be extremely cautious with properties in informal settlements.
“Although these areas may provide cheaper housing options, they often lack vital infrastructure, legal protections, and are at a high risk of eviction and development,” the ministry noted. “Typically, informal settlements in Fiji are situated on lands that are not legally owned or leased, making any property transaction very unstable. Residents can be evicted with little to no notice, exposing them to significant financial losses and displacement.”
Additionally, the ministry highlighted that such settlements often do not have access to essential services like electricity, water, and sanitation, adversely affecting residents’ quality of life and health. “Many reports have emerged of buyers who innocently invested large sums for properties in these settlements, only to be later denied ownership and forcibly evicted.”
The ministry recommends that prospective homebuyers focus on properties in established, legally recognized neighborhoods that offer better security, stability, and access to essential services.