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.
