Renting in informal settlements is illegal: Consumer Council
The Consumer Council of Fiji has reminded the public that both landlords and tenants break the law when renting houses in informal settlements, where disputes remain a growing concern.
Saturday 30 August 2025 | 23:00
The Ministry of Trade and Commerce is working with stakeholders on a landlord and tenancy bill, which is expected to address many of these housing challenges.
Ronald Kumar
The Consumer Council of Fiji has reminded the public that renting houses in informal settlements is illegal for both landlords and tenants.
Council chief executive officer Seema Shandil told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs on Thursday that the council continues to receive complaints from settlement dwellers despite the law being clear.
“It’s illegal to lease out any flats in informal settlement,” Ms Shandil said.
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“We advise consumers that it’s illegal to rent a house in informal settlement or vice versa for the landlord to give any housing rent in informal settlements.”
Informal settlements are communities without legal land rights and often lack basic services such as water, electricity and waste management.
Ms Shandil said the council provides advice and limited support to affected tenants and landlords but must inform them about the legal risks.
She said landlord and tenancy disputes remain the council’s top complaint category, rising by 15 per cent between 2019 and 2020.
The Ministry of Trade and Commerce is working with stakeholders on a landlord and tenancy bill, which is expected to address many of these housing challenges.
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