The Ministry of Construction has asked local authorities in Hanoi and HCM City to report on rising complaints and disputes among local apartment investors and their tenants by November 30.

Protest at the Era Town

The issues will be reported to the prime minister. Disputes at local apartment complexes are becoming more complicated and needed to be addressed quickly. HCM City and Hanoi authorities must state the cause, and propose solutions to the disputes.

Since early 2017, various disputes about stagnant projects, maintenance fees or building quality have broken out at both affordable and luxury apartment buildings. The prime minister asked the Ministry of Construction to compile residents' complaints after HCM City Department of Construction reported that disputes occurred at 96 buildings.

Construction regulations will be reviewed and local authorities will be directed on how to deal with the disputes.

In 2015, hundreds of residents at Gia Phu Apartment Building in HCM City complained that the investors sold one apartment to multiple owners at the same time. Some people already paid 70-90% of the apartment's cost but were unable to move in. HCM City People's Committee asked the police to prosecute the investors, Gia Phu Land Company and Dat Xanh Group, and find solutions for the problem.

Disputes also occurred at stagnant PetroVietnam Landmark project in District 2. Most residents who already paid 60-95% for the apartments demanded PVC Land Company quickly complete the project. Meanwhile, it is incurring a VND191bn (USD8.4m) debt to Lien Viet Post bank. Director of PVC Land Nguyen Nam Son said he was unsure when the project could continue as they had no investment.

Most recently, residents at The Era Town protested against Duc Khai Company. They accused the investor of embezzling VND50bn (USD2.2m) of maintenance fees instead of transferring it to the building management board. A fight broke out during the protest, injuring three people. Chairman of Duc Khai Company denied their involvement in the fight.

On January 9, the residents in Thao Dien Ward accused Son Kim Company of taking their land to build the Gateway Thao Dien project without compensation. According to the residents, they were threatened when protesting against the theft.  

Dtinews/Tien Phong