THE extension of the rent freeze order for another year will assist Fijian tenants get affordable housing, says the Consumer Council of Fiji.
Welcoming the State’s decision on the extension, the council says this is indeed good news for tenants in Fiji as it is a well-known fact that many consumers are have difficulties finding decent houses and/or flats to rent.
“Extension of the Rent Freeze Order should avoid landlords from unreasonably increasing rents,” the council says. “As such, many consumers are at ease with such a policy in place. They do not have to dig deep into their pockets for extra money to pay their rents.
“While this is high time for flat hunting for some families and individuals, some tenants will be renewing their tenancy agreements at the beginning of the year or within the year.”
As per the Fiji Commerce Commission (Rent Increase Restriction on Residential and Ground Rent) Order 2016, “Between the period of January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017, a person must not charge a 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 2016”.
This simply means property owners of residential dwellings who have let out their premises for rent to their tenants cannot increase the rent above the level that was applicable to the same premises as at 31 December 2016.
All residential tenants are encouraged to seek advice from FCC or the Consumer Council of Fiji on residential rental issues. They can also lodge complaints against landlords who fail to comply with the Rental Freeze Order that is now in place.
