The Lami Town Council has been ordered to pay over $9000 in outstanding rent arrears to the Native Lands Trust Board for a land leased out in June 1984.
Suva Magistrate Ajmal Gulab Khan stated in his ruling that the Town Council has consented to rent arrears amounting to $8133.53 but disputed the interest, the arrears collection fees and VAT to be added to the total sum.
Magistrate Khan said the interest applies currently to any rent outstanding and so the rental sum shall include the interest at bank rate and has to pay $1567.98 in interest on the arrears, and $196 variation fee and stamp duty and also the $149 in VAT.
However, he has not disallowed a sum of $168 which was being levied as arrears collection fees.
Magistrate Khan said he is satisfied that the NLTB has proved its claims and the Lami Town Council is in breach of its lease agreement.
He ordered that the Town Council must pay the sum of $9,888.92 and $400 in costs within 14 days following which an order to vacate the land will be stayed.
