Landlords who are found to be requesting tenants to move out of a flat for renovation purposes only to increase the rent following the works and by-passing the residential rent freeze will have to face hefty penalties for breaking the law.
This has been highlighted by Fijian Competition Consumer Commission CEO Joel Abraham who adds that from the Commission’s assessment there is a high level of confusion between tenants and landlords in terms of by-passing the rent freeze.
Abraham says that tenants who bargain to pay an extra amount to secure a place to rent are not helping the rent freeze policy and other consumers looking for affordable housing.
Fijivillage questioned Abraham on what is being done about landlords and tenants who engage in such practices.
Abraham revealed that if landlords are found to be engaging in such practices to by-pass the rent freeze, they will be fined and on top of this, the landlords are told to pay back the extra amount that the tenant is charged adding that tenants can also be charged for aiding and abetting by-passing the rent freeze.
Abraham also stressed that unfortunately when some tenants are looking for a place to rent they are disregarding the legislation and policies put in place to safeguard all tenants.
He adds that these people do not help the regulatory oversight to protect all tenants and this is why landlords take advantage of people who are genuinely looking for affordable housing.
