Talanoa session raises alarming concerns in real estate

MORE than 35 real estate agents, salespersons and office administration staff participated in the first virtual talanoa zoom session for the year with Real Estate Agents Licensing Board (REALB) last week.

According to REALB, Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission senior enforcement officer Isimeli Vulagi strongly emphasised on their role in the rental market and highlighted the obligations of a tenant and landlord.

“The obligations of a tenant are they should demand for a tenancy agreement, receipt upon rent payment and a copy of a tenancy agreement,” he said.

“The landlord on the other hand must provide tenancy agreement and receipt upon rent received. They should also ensure the property’s condition to be properly documented and signed by both parties.”

Mr Vulagi said a major challenged they faced was when tenants knowingly agree to terms of tenancy which later become a problem for them.

“Another one is the lack of awareness. The issues and complains we are receiving at FCCC is tenants and landlords are unacquainted with duties, obligations and responsibilities.

“We also have the issue of misleading information where complainants providing misleading information to FCCC officers.”

He added that condition report, value of housing and rent evasion were other challenges that were encountered.

Mr Vulagi also clarified issues related to the rental complaints received from the general public, the total rent cases (formal and informal), the investigated cases, rent freeze and the actions undertaken by FCCC.

REALB Compliance & Monitoring Officer Vinal Singh said this talanoa session was to address recent concerns voiced by the general public and stakeholders, particularly on rent freeze and other related rental issues.

The quarterly talanoa sessions is part of REALB’s continuous industry engagement.