TLTB Chief Executive Tevita Kuruvakadua

The iTaukei Land Trust Board has revealed that they are owed $6.3m rent arrears by TLTB tenants.

TLTB Chief Executive Tevita Kuruvakadua says of the 45,205 TLTB tenants, 8,833 tenants are not paying their rent on time and are now in arrears.

Kuruvakadua says the Board is advising its tenants whose accounts are in arrears to clear all their dues before year-end.

He adds that not paying land rent is a clear indication of tenant’s complete disregard of their legal obligations as tenants of TLTB.

The TLTB CEO says they have tried major recovery strategies and the last avenue is to seek the assistance of the courts for vacant possession and orders for eviction.

Kuruvakadua says while TLTB is trying its best to assist tenants with security of their tenancies they must perform their obligation and pay their rent on time as these will go to the landowners who have denied themselves from using their land during the term of the lease.

He has also stressed that failure to comply will result in TLTB taking extreme measures leading to legal actions and as a result, tenants may lose their properties.

The Itaukei Land Trust Board has a total of 45,205 tenants to date.

The Board hopes that all TLTB tenants will do the right thing and pay their land lease rent and arrears due before the end of December 31.