Consumer Council urging tenants to contact them if they are not able to pay rent

The Consumer Council of Fiji is urging people to contact them for assistance if they are having difficulties in paying their rent.

CEO Seema Shandil says they have assisted around 80 tenants who were having difficulties in paying their rent due to job losses, reduced hours or pay cuts in the last two months alone.

She says this is a tricky situation where landlords need their rent but the tenants are not in a position to pay them and the Council is happy to facilitate negotiations between the two parties.

Shandil says there were cases where landlords have actually agreed to provide the opportunity to make rental payment in installments or have even waived rental payments for a few months.

She says there was also a case where a tenant was given eviction notice because he were not able to pay the rent but after having discussions with the Council, the landlord has not only agreed not to evict but has also given more time to the tenant.

People can call the Consumer Council for assistance on their toll free number 155.