Landlords and real estate agents are being warned against discriminating against potential tenants based on race or ethnicity.
The warning comes as the Consumer Council of Fiji investigates a rental advertisement expressing a preference for a particular ethnic group.
The Council is also calling for the prompt return of rental bonds where there are no legitimate deductions or outstanding payments.
Council CEO Seema Shandil says landlords have the right to assess potential tenants, but they must not exclude people because of their race or ethnicity.
She stresses that discrimination based on race or ethnic origin is prohibited under the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the Council has received 45 complaints relating to rental bond disputes between students, including regional students, and their landlords from 2021 to early November 2026.
Shandil says the issue is particularly concerning as regional students prepare to return home at the end of the academic semester.
In one recent case, a regional student preparing to leave Fiji after completing examinations was informed that their rental bond would only be refunded between 14 and 30 days after vacating the property.
Following the Council's intervention, the landlord agreed to refund the bond through a bank deposit after the student returned home.
Shandil says rental bonds belong to tenants and must not be treated as additional income by landlords.
She says any deductions must be clearly explained and supported by evidence.
The Council is urging landlords and tenants to conduct property inspections before the tenancy ends and agree on refund amounts, payment methods and dates.
They are also encouraging tenants to keep receipts, photograph the condition of their rental properties and maintain written records of communication with landlords.
Anyone facing rental discrimination, delays in bond refunds or unreasonable deductions can contact the National Consumer Helpline on 155 or email complaints@consumersfiji.org.
