The Suva City Council has warned ratepayers to clear off their outstanding rates to avoid losing their property as ratepayers owe the council over $10million.

Spokesperson Jillian Hicks said the council is looking at some legal papers of four properties before seeking approval from the courts to sell these properties to recover rate arrears amounting to thousands of dollars.

She confirmed these four ratepayers are major defaulters who did not clear their rates for many years now and their rates have accumulated.

Hicks added this is a reminder to other ratepayers who owe rates for many years.

The council is also reminding ratepayers through the media and having their messages on billboards to make arrangements with the council and clear their rates.