The Fijian Ministry of Housing is advising citizens to avoid purchasing properties in informal settlements throughout the nation. This warning follows a recent incident in which a buyer lost $10,000 in a cash deal for a home that had no formal ownership documentation.
The ministry expressed concern that the original landowner has reappeared, stating they were unaware of the sale and is now requesting the buyer to vacate the property. In a statement released yesterday, the ministry urged potential buyers to be extremely cautious when considering homes in informal settlements in Fiji.
“Although these areas may offer lower-cost housing, they frequently lack crucial infrastructure and legal protections, and there is a significant risk of eviction and development issues,” the ministry noted.
It highlighted that properties in these settlements often occupy land that is not legally owned or leased, making any transactions unreliable. Residents in such areas could face eviction at any time without prior notice, resulting in considerable financial losses and displacement.
The ministry also pointed out that informal settlements typically lack essential services like electricity, water, and sanitation, which can severely affect residents’ quality of life and health.
There have been multiple reports of unsuspecting buyers who paid hefty sums for properties in these settlements only to be denied ownership and subsequently evicted.
As a result, the ministry strongly recommends that prospective homebuyers focus on acquiring properties in established and legally recognized neighborhoods, as these options provide greater security, stability, and access to necessary services.