The Ministry of Housing in Fiji is warning potential home buyers to be extremely cautious when considering properties in informal settlements. These areas may present lower-cost housing options, but they typically lack essential infrastructure and legal protections, exposing residents to risks such as eviction and development issues.
The Ministry emphasized that informal settlements are often situated on land without legal ownership or lease agreements, making property transactions highly unstable. As a result, residents could face eviction without any prior notice, exposing them to considerable financial losses and displacement.
Furthermore, these settlements frequently lack basic services like electricity, water, and sanitation, which can severely affect the quality of life and health of the inhabitants.
There have been multiple reports of unwitting buyers who paid significant amounts for properties in these settlements, only to later find themselves without ownership rights and facing eviction. One such case involved an individual, referred to as Person A, who bought a home in an informal settlement for $10,000 in cash. Despite fully paying for the property, Person A received no formal ownership documents. To their surprise, the original landowner later appeared, claiming ignorance of the sale and demanding that Person A leave the premises.
In light of these risks, the Ministry strongly recommends that prospective home buyers focus on properties in established, legally recognized neighborhoods, as they provide greater security, stability, and access to essential services.