$27m rent debt threatens landowners’ income

More than $27 million in unpaid rent is threatening the financial returns of iTaukei landowners across Fiji, Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs has warned.

The finding is contained in the committee’s report tabled last week, which reviewed the iTaukei Land Trust Board’s 2023 Annual Report.

The committee found rent arrears remain one of the board’s biggest challenges, with an opening balance of $27.75 million for 2023–2024, largely concentrated in residential and agricultural leases.

The iTaukei Land Trust Board manages about 91 per cent of Fiji’s land on behalf of iTaukei landowners, collecting rent from tenants and distributing it to landowners and their communities.

When tenants fail to pay, landowners lose income they are legally entitled to.

Committee chairperson Iliesa Vanawalu urged the board to strengthen its recovery efforts through structured repayment plans, digital reminders and incentive schemes for early settlement.

TLTB chief executive Solomone Nata told the committee the arrears had declined in recent years due to recovery strategies already in place.

“Rent arrears from 2023–2024 have declined over the years in view of some of the strategies and measures that we are undertaking in terms of rent collection,” Mr Nata said.

The board currently manages 55,224 leases across residential, agricultural, tourism, commercial and industrial sectors, generating and distributing around $120 million annually to landowners.