The Ministry of Housing in Fiji is warning potential home buyers to be extremely cautious about purchasing properties in informal settlements. The Ministry highlighted that while these areas might provide more affordable housing, they often suffer from inadequate infrastructure, lack legal protections, and are at high risk for eviction and redevelopment.
According to the Ministry, homes in informal settlements are usually situated on land that is not officially owned or leased, which makes transactions highly precarious. Residents in such locations could face eviction at any moment without prior notice, putting them at significant risk of financial loss and displacement.
Moreover, these settlements frequently lack basic amenities such as electricity, water, and sanitation, which can adversely affect residents’ quality of life and health. There have been multiple reports of unwitting buyers who, after investing considerable amounts of money in these properties, later found themselves denied ownership and evicted.
One notable case mentioned by the Ministry involved an individual who purchased property in an informal settlement for $10,000 in cash. Despite paying the entire amount upfront, the buyer did not obtain any official ownership documents. To their shock, the original landowner has since come forward, denying any knowledge of the sale and demanding that the buyer leave the property.
The Ministry strongly recommends that prospective home buyers focus on acquiring properties in established, legally recognized neighborhoods, as these options provide more security, stability, and access to vital services.