The Housing Authority will soon merge with the Public Rental Board.
Minister for Housing Premila Kumar highlighted this in parliament as part of the ministry’s reforms.
Kumar says the amalgamation will make services more effective and efficient.
“First the cost will come down, secondly certain activities which is being undertaken by the PRB is also being undertaken by Housing Authority so by merging those two things it means a huge reduction in the over-head cost.”
She says also part of the reforms is the digitization of services provided by Housing Authority.
“When people put in their application, it gets lost within the system, there is no proper tracking system, so by having a automated system, customers can track their application, they can pay online, and as i said earlier on they can check their balance and their families who live abroad want to help their relatives, they can also pay online.”
The Housing Authority has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with relevant stakeholders for information sharing to help in the processing of all applications.
The Fiji Pensioners Association has revealed its plans to secure a piece of land in Suva for members to meet and socialize.
Association President Hari Raj Naicker says they’re concerned that there’s a growing trend that some senior citizens are experiencing loneliness and depression leading to their early deaths.
“Once we have a piece of land where we can go and relax, and then maybe have a cup of tea or coffee, relax, that will give us enjoyment, because loneliness alone at the moment there’s just my wife and myself staying, we look at each other and just past time but when we have some other colleague than they might have some different ideas or thoughts, they can come about and give the latest news, so that should be good enough.”
Naicker says they will put in a formal request to the Lands Ministry in the hope that the land will be given to them as an appreciation for the contribution that the elder citizens have made to Fiji’s development.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with Kaleli villagers following the opening of the Kiuva\Kaba Penisular Road in Tailevu on February 2, 2020. Photo: Ronald Kumar.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama opened the Kiuva Kaba Peninsula road yesterday enabling three villages in Tailevu to connect to the rest of the nation via road.
The eight-kilometer thoroughfare cost $6.2 million, but it is much needed investment to ensure Kaleli, Vatani and Dromuna villagers no longer have to spend $180 for hiring boats to come to Nausori.
The overjoyed villagers could not contain their emotions as they danced and sang songs to welcome Mr Bainimarama.
Even to the extent, that during traditional welcome ceremony, villagers told the Prime Minister that there was no measure to the extent of happiness they were feeling on the day.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while opening the Kiuva\Kaba Penisular Road in Tailevu on February 2, 2020. Photo: Ronald Kumar.
For years now, the people of these villages had to travel by boat to access services and facilities others living on Viti Levu have enjoyed for a long time.
“Local farmers will be able to get their produce to the Nausori Market more quickly, leaving more precious time for them to spend with their families,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“And the resort at Toberua can now receive their guests and supplies more effectively, making this a more attractive tourism destination in a way that is sure to benefit your local communities.
“Travelling to school will be much faster for students travelling to not only Kaba District Primary School in Dromuna Village but also to the schools along the existing road to Kiuva, Buretu and Nakelo.”
Mr Bainimarama said access to health facilities for the 500 people in the villages had become easier. He said the road would allow participation in progress and economic prosperity.
He said the road would also allow for inter-island trade.
“But this is just the beginning – we are planning to further facilitate the mobility of your Fijian made goods and produce in the future, with a provision of new cyclone resilient jetty to be constructed within the vicinity,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“Government can build new bridges and pave new roads, ultimately, the most important path forward is the one you create yourself.”
Mr Bainimarama reminded those present that the opening of the road was the beginning of something great and they should not let go to waste.
Affordability and credit access is a major contributor affecting the real estate sector.
Real Estate Agents believe buying houses has become an expensive affair as people are not able to access funds to invest in the sector.
The Board believes Fijians at times don’t have enough security to get a loan, however, the banking sector says there are many options available to Fijians.
Director of Bayshore Real estate Arif Khan says the capital city has been the most affected by a slump in sales due to access to loans.
“Credit access to loans is a determining factor. I certainly hope banks will not increase the rates which will make affordability harder. If you look at our neighbours in Australia they reduce the interest rates which has stimulated the housing markets.”
The Association of Banks in Fiji Chair Rakesh Ram says all commercial banks are providing competitive home loan packages.
“For the personal housing sector both, residential and residential investment loans, all commercial banks are providing highly competitive home loan packages and interest rates in the market. These range from 4.5 percent to five percent fixed for a year.”
Ram says the variable rate is around seven percent.
He adds commercial banks allow roll over of fixed rates on a case by case basis after the 12 month period.
THE I-TAUKEI LAND TRUST BOARD HAS STATED THAT IT WILL NOT HESITATE TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TENANTS WHO ARE IN ARREARS.
The I-taukei Land Trust Board has stated that it will not hesitate to take legal action against tenants who are in arrears.
As of December 2019 the total rent arrears by TLTB tenant’s stands at around $6.3m.
TLTB Chief Executive Tevita Kuruvakadua says not paying land rent is clearly an indication of the tenant’s complete disregard of their legal obligations as tenants of TLTB.
Kuruvakadua says they have tried out some major recovery strategies and the last avenue is to seek the assistance of the courts for vacant possession and orders for eviction.
Kuruvakadua says TLTB is trying its best to assist tenants with the security of their tenancies and they must perform their obligation and pay their rent on time as these will go to the landowners.
The TLTB has advised tenants that once the court is engaged and judgement is made for evictions, then it’s difficult to assist tenants at that stage.
According to TLTB in 2019, 8,833 tenants out of the 45, 205 tenants are not paying their rent on time.
The Consumer Council of Fiji received 54 complaints from 1st January last year till date against some residential landlords who are trying to illegally increase rent.
They say, unfortunately when tenants refuse to pay the increased rent or report the matter to the Council, the landlord hands them an eviction notice using the excuse for renovations.
They add such tactics are used to suppress tenants from exercising their legal rights and to smartly increase the rent to unsuspecting new tenants.
The Council is reiterating to landlords that they must provide duly executed tenancy agreements and receipts for all rent payments to tenants.
The Council is also reminding tenants to act responsibly and read and understand the tenancy agreement before signing and moving into the rental property.
Meanwhile, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission have announced the extension of the rent freeze policy which will now run till the 31st of December this year.
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced the extension of the rent freeze policy which will now run till the 31st of December this year.
This extension is based on an assessment undertaken by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (Rent Increase Restriction on Residential and Ground Rent) Order 2018 (Rent Freeze Order), which was due to expire on the 31st December last year.
The Order states that “between the period of 01 January, 2020 and 31 December, 2020, a person must not charge rent in respect of the letting or continued letting of any premises under residential tenancy including ground rentals to which the Act applies which exceeds the rent applicable to those premises as at 31 December, 2019.”
Simply, effective from 01 January, 2020, property owners of residential dwellings who give out their premises for rent, cannot increase the rent until 31 December, 2020. Any premises rented out for the first time are not subject to the Order, but any increase thereafter will be subject to the restriction.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Fiji says the issue of illegal rent increases is concerning and the Council received 54 complaints from 1st January last year till date against some residential landlords who are trying to illegally increase rent.
They say unfortunately, when tenants refuse to pay the increased rent or report the matter to the Council, the landlord hands them an eviction notice using the excuse for renovations.
They add such tactics are used to suppress tenants from exercising their legal rights and to smartly increase the rent to unsuspecting new tenants.
The Council is reiterating to landlords that they must provide duly executed tenancy agreements and receipts for all rent payments to tenants. The Council is also reminding tenants to act responsibly and read and understand the tenancy agreement before signing and moving into the rental property.
DR MAHENDRA REDDY [3RD FROM LEFT] DURING THE OPENING OF THE AFRICAN CARIBBEAN PACIFIC (ACP) AND EU SHARING AND NETWORKING EVENT IN NADI TODAY [SOURCE: FIJIAN GOVERNMENT]
The private sector plays a crucial role in economic growth says Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Mahendra Reddy.
While opening the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) and EU Sharing and Networking Event in Nadi today, Dr Reddy stressed that the private sector needs encouragement and support as it is also the engine for job creation.
“The government provides the public infrastructure, we provide an enabling environment but at the end of the day the private sector must lead the growth for the development to be sustainable.”
Dr Reddy says while the meeting targets ACP stakeholders and other beneficiaries they must first focus on the small and micro medium enterprises.
Private sector representatives present during the three-day conference include micro-small-medium enterprises, financing institutions and investment promotion authorities from the Pacific Region.
Pacifique Du Sud Managing Director Rajendra Nath said that with 79 percent of Lautoka Hub being already complete, the opening of the complex was being earmarked for the end of April.
Mr. Nath said works for the $12 million property at Waiyavi started May last year with structural works finished.
“100 percent everything is going according to plan, I had good people working with me like the architects, builders, and the subcontractors and the Lautoka City Council.
“Structurally it’s done but once that is finished then we have to start on the landscaping because the whole area will be sealed and we will be planting a rain tree in between and then other flower gardens, car wash, satellite market stalls as well as fish and chip shop,” he said.
He said the last stage of the project was the 60-meter extension of the hub behind the main building if granted approval form the Lautoka City Council, a water slide area for children as well.
The partially complete Lautoka hub located along Sukanaivalu road in Lautoka.
He said he hoped the hub would be a one-stop-shop for the Waiyavi, Lautoka community to help members of the public to no longer deal with issues like parking or traffic congestion.
“Stall fees will be at a minimum and we will be giving four acres for parking while the rest is for the development,” he said.
“Tenants are coming and most of the spaces are taken since and we are still negotiating for the supermarket but in total there are 40 units.
There will be benches with charging pods, restaurants, office spaces, retail shops, bread shops, and a hardware shop.”
Mr Nath added once the hub is completed next year, community members will be invited for the grand opening.
“Whenever we do community developments we cannot hide them away from people, so I would imagine that would be appropriate to invite them and we are doing a lot of things for the community like places that they can relax,” he said.
The iTaukei Land Trust Board has revealed that they are owed $6.3m rent arrears by TLTB tenants.
TLTB Chief Executive Tevita Kuruvakadua says of the 45,205 TLTB tenants, 8,833 tenants are not paying their rent on time and are now in arrears.
Kuruvakadua says the Board is advising its tenants whose accounts are in arrears to clear all their dues before year-end.
He adds that not paying land rent is a clear indication of tenant’s complete disregard of their legal obligations as tenants of TLTB.
The TLTB CEO says they have tried major recovery strategies and the last avenue is to seek the assistance of the courts for vacant possession and orders for eviction.
Kuruvakadua says while TLTB is trying its best to assist tenants with security of their tenancies they must perform their obligation and pay their rent on time as these will go to the landowners who have denied themselves from using their land during the term of the lease.
He has also stressed that failure to comply will result in TLTB taking extreme measures leading to legal actions and as a result, tenants may lose their properties.
The Itaukei Land Trust Board has a total of 45,205 tenants to date.
The Board hopes that all TLTB tenants will do the right thing and pay their land lease rent and arrears due before the end of December 31.
Bayshore Fiji Realestate Blog 