Public members have proposed enacting a law to ban the sale of homes in informal settlements. This suggestion followed a statement from the Ministry of Housing and Community Development, warning prospective homebuyers to be very cautious about purchasing properties in these areas, which often lack basic utilities like electricity, water, and sanitation.
The ministry emphasized that buying homes in informal settlements could severely affect the buyers’ quality of life and health. Numerous reports have emerged of unwitting buyers who lost large sums of money after purchasing properties in these areas, only to find themselves denied ownership and facing eviction later.
One case highlighted involved a buyer who paid $10,000 in cash for a home in an informal settlement. Despite the full payment, the buyer did not receive any official ownership documents. Subsequently, the original landowner reappeared, denying any knowledge of the sale and demanding the buyer vacate the property.
The ministry encouraged homebuyers to focus on properties in established, legally recognized neighborhoods that provide better security, stability, and access to essential services. While informal settlements might present cheaper housing options, they typically lack necessary infrastructure, legal safeguards, and are at high risk of eviction and redevelopment.
In Fiji, informal settlements are frequently located on land that isn’t legally owned or leased, rendering any property transactions there precarious. Residents in these communities may face eviction without prior notice, subjecting them to significant financial risks and displacement.