Madhu Lata, a 65-year-old widow from Korovuto Settlement in Nadi, is facing a dire situation as she struggles to pay a $7,000 lease rent owed to the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB). Recently, TLTB staff delivered a court order to Ms. Lata, threatening eviction from her family home where she has lived for over 22 years since the passing of her husband. With both of her sons overseas, she relies solely on her youngest son, who is unemployed, for support.
Despite her efforts to manage the financial burden, including renting out rooms in her home, Ms. Lata has been unable to cover the growing debts. She stresses that payments were made to the mataqali landowners directly and expresses her deep concern over her current predicament. Recently, she received a brief extension until next Tuesday to settle her outstanding balance, yet the stress of the situation continues to weigh heavily on her.
The TLTB has warned other leaseholders with unpaid rent that they could face disconnection of basic utilities and potentially eviction. The Board’s CEO, Solomone Nata, highlighted the necessity of these measures to defend the rights of landowners who have long awaited their due lease income. He noted that as of January 1, the total arrears owed to landowners amount to $31.6 million, which is being actively reduced, but still leaves substantial amounts yet to be collected.
In a wider context, similar situations have been reported as the TLTB escalates its eviction initiatives to recover unpaid rents from numerous tenants. Previously reported figures indicated that approximately 25,444 tenants had outstanding debts, reinforcing the urgency of compliance with lease agreements for the financial well-being of both tenants and landowners.
The TLTB’s commitment to a fair recovery process fosters a hopeful outlook for tenants facing financial hardships. With proactive engagement and the potential for creating payment plans, avenues still exist for tenants to resolve their financial responsibilities and maintain their homes, contributing to the overall stability of the community.
This situation underscores the pressing need for communication and collaboration between tenants and the Board to find workable solutions and prevent further legal actions. While the circumstances are challenging, there remains hope that through dialogue and timely action, both tenants like Ms. Lata and the landowners can find a path towards mutual benefit and stability.
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