Over $42 million worth of complaints received by the Consumer Council and the Real Estate Licensing Board in relation to the real estate sector.

This was recorded for the past two years.

This has prompted the two organizations to join hands and carry out awareness on issues related to the real estate industry.

REALB Chair Dr. Abdul Hasan says illegal activities in the industry has increased and they hope to tackle the issue through collaboration with the consumer council.

“Anything to do with real estate we have to be very careful especially we people who are controlling the activities in the real estate to ensure that there is a fair play between the property owners and the buyers and the sellers and of course the real estate agents who act in between this parties to finalize the dealing of the property.”

Consumer Council Chief Executive Seema Shandil says in these roadshows REALB will provide guidance to the public on the documents they require when dealing with real estate agents while the Consumer Watchdog will focus more on consumer advocacy and their rights under the legislation.

The awareness program starts in Taveuni from Monday and will be carried out in other parts of the country later in the year.