About $1 million is owed to the Public Rental Board (PRB) in rent arrears during the COVID-19 period, General Manager Timoci Naleba has revealed.

This is after PRB activated its COVID-19 relief to affected tenants for deferment of rent.

Depending on a tenant’s household income, those who had applied for relief would pay a percentage of the rent.

There were 240 applicants.

“They have to know that there will be a time they will have to pay back,” Mr Naleba said.

“Now that the economy is back on its feet and most of them have working hours reinstated, we are working with them on how they can pay the arrears.”

Mr Naleba said failure to update payment could result in legal action.

“They can be claimed through the Small Claims Tribunal if it is up to $5000,” he said.

“If it is more than $5000 then that has to be claimed through court.”

So far 10 eviction orders have been issued. Six for rent arrears and the remainder for criminal activities.

At the inception of the board, a total of 27 estates comprising 1753 rental units were transferred from Housing Authority.

Currently, the board manages 1375 rental flats: 836 in central, (395) in western and (144) in northern divisions.

Two tenants in the Kia Street flats in Raiwai, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were happy to work with PRB on a payment plan.

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