The Consumer Council of Fiji is reminding all stakeholders that racial discrimination is strictly prohibited under the Constitution of Fiji after a troubling incident was brought to the Council’s attention involving a tenant in Suva who paid $1,400 to a real estate agent to secure a rental property, only to be rejected by the landlord upon learning of the tenant's racial background.
The Council says this incident is where a prospective tenant engaged a licensed real estate agent to secure a rental property.
They say after completing the property viewing, the tenant paid the required rent and bond, however, just a day before the scheduled move-in, he was informed by the agent that the landlord was refusing to rent the property to him due to his ethnicity.
They further say it is particularly troubling that this communication came through a licensed real estate agent, who is expected to maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity while acting as an intermediary between tenants and landlords.
Council CEO Seema Shandil says this incident underscores the critical need for equality and transparency in Fiji's rental market and reminds stakeholders that racial discrimination is strictly prohibited under the Constitution, which guarantees equity for all, and the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Act.
She says hearing of such discriminatory practices is deeply concerning and although landlords have the prerogative to select their tenants, denying housing based on ethnic, religious, or racial backgrounds is not only unethical and unconstitutional but also violates basic human decency principles.
Shandil says Fiji prides itself on its diverse populace, representing various races, cultures, and ethnicities, making such discrimination particularly egregious.
She says such discriminatory actions not only pose a significant inconvenience to individuals but also perpetuate a climate of insecurity among prospective tenants who may already be under financial stress.
The CEO says affected consumers face not only financial loss and wasted time but also emotional distress from ethnic exclusion.
She adds that the Council has formally notified the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission of Fiji to express its concerns about this serious issue and they remain committed to vigilant monitoring and addressing discrimination, supporting victims, and holding perpetrators accountable.
She further adds that this includes making referrals to relevant authorities as necessary.
Shandil says they urge all consumers to exercise vigilance when seeking to rent/lease property and encourage anyone suspecting discrimination or transparency issues to seek support.
She says tenants who feel they have been treated unfairly are urged to contact the Consumer Council of Fiji through the TollFree National Consumer Helpline 155 or via complaints@consumersfiji.org
