The government is currently formulating a new law to govern the relationship between landlords and tenants.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said the new law will govern the dynamics of the relationship between tenants and landlords and will be formulated within the next six months.

Sayed-Khaiyum said that for decades Fiji has lacked in the area of specific laws that govern the relationship between landlords and tenants.

He said because there is a huge demand for residential property and with the rural-urban drift supply of homes in most instances are short and there is obviously a situation where that demand could be exploited by those carrying out the supply.

Sayed Khaiyum said Fiji has not had laws that would govern issues like when you go and rent a residential property you may pay a bond and when you’re about to leave there is dispute about which amount of bond or how much of the bond should be retained as there has been absolutely no laws and now they are looking at developing laws in that area.

However, he said in the meantime the residential rental freeze will continue and the commerce commission together with various other agencies like the real estate agencies board will work together to come up with a mechanism or a system where there is a transparent system in the residential rental market.

Commission Chairman Dr Mahendra Reddy said the law will allow for the protection of both the landlord and tenant.


Story by: Roneel Lal