VietNamNet Bridge – Vice chairman Phi Thai Binh of the municipal People's Committee on Wednesday asked Vinaconex Xuan Mai Concrete and Construction Joint Stock Company, investor of the Ngo Thi Nham low-income housing project in Ha Dong District, to confiscate a flat involved in an illegal transaction.



This case represents the first regulatory violation concerning the purchase and renting of low-income apartments after sales first began in September.


The city stipulated that well-off people who pretended to be poor in order to buy or rent a low-income apartment would have to surrender the dwelling and pay stiff fines if they were caught.


In addition, those who took advantage of their special positions to sell, buy or rent homes would also face criminal proceedings.


Deputy head of Ha Noi's Police Office for the Prevention of Crime on Order, Economics Management and Position Dau Van Lien said Cao Thi Loan was eligible to buy an apartment but then sold the apartment to Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam for VND1.1 billion (US$53,600).


The original purchase price was VND600 million ($29,270).


Nguyen Quoc Tuan, deputy director of the municipal Construction Department, said the people involved violated purchase and rental regulations.


The department has asked Vinaconex Xuan Mai to co-operate with local authorities to take possession of the apartment and avoid such violations in the future.


City regulations stipulate that eligible owners of low-income apartments are not allowed to sell or rent them to any buyers other than the investor or the local housing management agency within 10 years.


Deputy director of the company Vu Quang Vinh said they would ask the apartment's owner to revoke the sale contract and return any money gained.


The People's Committee said ward authorities in charge of confirming housing applications should strictly check the income status of buyers.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News