Tenants voice concerns over lease reforms

Concerns were raised by long-term tenants during a public consultation on land law reforms, with fears that changes to 99-year leases could threaten security of tenure and disrupt cultural traditions.

The concerns emerged at a consultation on the State Lands Act 1945 and the Land Use Act 2010 held at the Nadi Civic Centre, attended by commissioners from the Fiji Law Reform Commission.

Tenants questioned what would happen when long-term leases expire and urged the Government to consider their financial investment and long-standing attachment to the land.

Lawyer and commission member Jagath Karunaratne said a lease, by definition, has an expiry date and does not confer ownership, purchase rights or inheritance.

He acknowledged the emotional and financial investments made by tenants over generations and said reforms must seek solutions that minimise loss for both tenants and landowners.

One participant, Asha Kiran, said the proposed reforms threatened Indo-Fijian tenants, arguing their forefathers had developed the land and that denying leases to future generations would strip families of tradition and culture.

Mr Karunaratne stressed the importance of public awareness, explaining that while tenants may live on leased land for decades, the arrangement remains temporary.

“It becomes part of your life, but it is not ownership. Both tenants and landowners have valid interests,” he said.

The consultation highlighted the need for continued dialogue and practical solutions as the Government considers updates to the lease system.