Issue of slumlords in informal settlements is extremely difficult to monitor - Kumar

Minister for Housing and Local Government, Premila Kumar says the issue of slumlords in informal settlements is complex and it is extremely difficult to monitor and register slumlords.

She says they don’t even have a register of legal landlords and registering slumlords will be even difficult.

Kumar revealed this after SODELPA MP, Mikaele Leawere asked her to explain if there are strategies in place to monitor and register slumlords who exploit victims by way of high rental charges.

Kumar says they need lot more expertise in collecting this information.

Kumar says the Ministry of Housing will be conducting socio economic surveys with the assistance from UN Habitat in Fiji.

She says fresh surveys will be conducted at all the 43 areas where they have acquired development leases and surveys will be conduced with the wider scope.

The Minister told parliament that the Ministry will capture accurate information which includes information on tenancy arrangement if any within the informal settlement.

It has been revealed that there are over 300 squatter settlements in the country.

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