Land surveyors
shanelle.prasad@fijitimes.com.fj
WHILE procuring the services of a land surveyor to purchase, rezone or subdivide a piece of land there are key things that you as a consumer must consider.
The Consumer Council of Fiji has noted that surveyors play a critical role in the property market sector and can often cost significant monetary weight but with services not up to par.
“Getting a land surveyed is important as it will not only show exactly where the property lines lie, it might also reveal unknown easements, encroachments, and boundary issues that could cause problems later,” the council stated.
“Whilst the Council continues to work towards creating a fair and just marketplace, consumers also need to be vigilant and responsible; to ensure they do their part in avoiding dealings with questionable businesses/individual and lose out their hardearned bucks.”
The council said that people must research their options on reputable surveyors along with online review sites and social media engagement.
The council also suggests that ne needs compare prices, get quotations and verify surveyors with the registered list available on the official website of Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources.
“When looking at potential surveyors, ask how much experience they have working on similar tasks as you require, a reputable surveyor should also be happy to provide references from clients with projects similar to yours.”
In addition to that, the council recommends that consumers need to communicate their expectations and these should be done in writing.
“If the surveyor delays work even by one day, contact and enquire why there is a delay and also inform their superiors.
“It is also advisable to make partial payment to the survey in order to confirm that you are procuring their services.
“Only make full payments once the survey report is complete and handed over.”
If the surveyor is not honouring the agreement, consumers can lodge complaints with the Council via the following mediums;
National consumer helpline toll-free number 155;
Consumer Council of Fiji mobile app (available on google play store);
Consumer Council of Fiji Facebook page;
Complaints portal on the Consumer Council of Fiji website – consumersfiji. org;
Email: complaints@consumersfiji.org or
Visit any of our offices in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa.