Developer Concerns on AirBnB in Lots

The developers of Fantasy Island in Nadi have expressed concern that some homes within the gated community are being used for Airbnb operations.

Developer Abbas Ali said since the project started in 1998 and sold 76 residential lots, the condition of the lease were just for one dwelling house.

He said such operations had breached the conditions and they had asked the Government to look into the matter.

"There was no other precondition that allowed any person to rezone a particular lot," he said.

Mr Ali said residential lots were now starting to use their private homes for AirBnB operations.

"It is important to emphasise that this development was designed for high-end residential purposes not for commercial activities that individuals can exploit for personal profit," he said.

Mr Ali said as developers they continued to bear the ongoing cost of infrastructure such as huge Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) power bills mounting to approximately $3000 monthly.

"The entire fantasy and subdivision were guaranteed approval by the director of town and country planning to enforce specific development guidelines of residential present which does not permit homestay accommodation at all," he said.

"The land departments attempt to ignore the term planning act, under which such building guidelines were approved, is a mistake and an oversight; it is not in the best interest of the company lands act; is floated in favour of rental flat tenants who operate AirBnBs in the island.

He claimed there were 12 operators altogether and out of these 12, most of them were tenants, as they are not lot owners.

"They lease the house for residential purposes and then they turn it into AirBnB operation."

He claims that one operator is earning around $35,000 a month as their income.

"We don't allow any business activity in the residential precinct, and this is an upmarket, exclusive residential property.

"Here, we try and make sure that we maintain that exclusiveness for people to buy a property and use it for residential papers only."

Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo said, that he would consult with the Director of Lands and give a statement.

Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa met with stakeholders in Nadi on Wednesday where concerns were raised with by stakeholders on possible breach of Planning Approvals for Fantasy Island.

Permanent Secretary Seema Sharma said that Fantasy Island's planning approvals were based on key conditions, which was that it is a high-end residential development.

However, concerns residents noted that there were commercial operations being undertaken, which include AirBnB operations.

A meeting is scheduled in Suva on Monday with Permanent Secretary for Local Government, Permanent Secretary for Lands and Director for Lands before the Ministry through Director Town and Country Planning responds to the residents.

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