The Ministry of Housing is advising potential home buyers in Fiji to be extremely cautious when considering properties situated in informal settlements.
In a recent statement, the Ministry highlighted that while these areas may provide cheaper housing options, they often lack crucial infrastructure, legal protections, and are at a high risk of eviction and redevelopment.
“Informal settlements in Fiji are generally established on land that is neither legally owned nor leased, rendering any property transaction extremely precarious,” the statement read.
Residents in these settlements can face eviction without warning, exposing them to severe financial losses and displacement. Furthermore, these areas frequently lack access to essential services like electricity, water, and sanitation, which can adversely affect the residents’ quality of life and health.
There have been multiple reports of unaware home buyers who have paid large sums for properties in these informal areas, only to later find their ownership denied and face eviction.
The Ministry cited a specific instance involving a buyer who had recently purchased a home in an informal settlement for $10,000 in cash. Despite having paid the full amount upfront, the buyer did not receive any formal proof of ownership and discovered that the original landowner reappeared, denying knowledge of the sale and demanding that they leave the property.
As a result, the Ministry strongly advises prospective home buyers to focus on properties within established, legally recognized neighborhoods, as these offer enhanced security, stability, and access to necessary services.