Housing Ministry warns against house lot scams

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is advising the general public that it is the only authorised agency for the allocation and receipt of payments for house lots, for which official receipts are issued.

The CH&PA says it is issuing this advisory to alert persons  that there are several scams which have been discovered by the Ministry of Housing and Water, all of which are currently engaging the attention of the courts.

The most recent scam is currently engaging the attention of the police.

However, the ministry noted that the victims are equally culpable since they are willing to participate in shady deals.

“The ministry wishes to categorically state that those members of the public who usually find themselves caught up in scams of this nature are equally culpable, since they are willing to participate in activities which they must know could not be authentic, by the very nature of the modus operandi that is used by the fraudsters,” the ministry stated.

Moreover, the ministry said that no one is authorized to collect money for house lots on behalf of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, and all transactions concerning house lots are conducted at the CH&PA offices.

“No official business with the Authority is conducted in the field or at private premises,” the ministry stated.

It pointed out also that the transfer of any lot purchased from the CH&PA must be approved in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement of Sale.

In addition, the ministry said that unauthorized/illegal transactions will not be honoured by the CH&PA.