The Ministry of Housing in Fiji is advising potential home buyers to be extremely cautious when considering properties in informal settlements. The Ministry highlighted that while these areas may offer affordable housing options, they often lack vital infrastructure, legal protections, and are at high risk for eviction and redevelopment.
“Informal settlements in Fiji are typically situated on land that is not legally owned or leased, creating considerable instability in property transactions,” the Ministry stated. Residents in these settlements could face eviction without notice, exposing them to significant financial losses and displacement.
Furthermore, many of these settlements do not provide access to basic services like electricity, water, and sanitation, which can adversely affect residents’ quality of life and health. There have been several reports of unsuspecting buyers who have invested large amounts of money into properties in these settlements only to be denied ownership and evicted later on.
One reported case involved a person who purchased a home in an informal settlement for $10,000 in cash. Although the payment was made in full, this individual did not receive any formal ownership documentation and later found that the original landowner claimed no knowledge of the purchase, demanding the buyer vacate the property.
The Ministry strongly advises potential buyers to focus on properties in established, legally recognized neighborhoods, which provide better security, stability, and access to necessary services.