A decision that came into effect yesterday should help get residents in the capital city out of hazardous buildings that need urgent renovations.


Decision 48/2008/QD-UB by Ha Noi's People's Committee outlines regulations on restoring old residential buildings. The decision will be an important legal framework to speed up projects that have been delayed because of residents reluctant to move out.

According to the decision, projects on restoring old residential buildings can be implemented if two thirds of the owners of apartments in the building agree to move and resettle as approved.

To encourage residents to agree to restoration projects, the investors will offer funding to help with the temporary displacement. Households who conduct business on their land will also be partially compensated for losses incurred because of the move.

Residents will be entitled to a resettlement apartment not smaller than 30sq.m. They will not have to pay for the area equivalent to 1.3 times the size of their old apartment, but will be responsible for any difference beyond that space. For example, if their old apartment was 30sq.m, and they have a new resettlement apartment of 50sq.m, they will need pay for 11sq.m to the investor of the project.

Families identified by the local authority as poor households will be allowed to pay in installments over 20 years. If they cannot afford it, and do not want to have a new apartment in the resettlement building, they can rent or buy social housing.

Resident reactions

There are currently many deteriorating residential buildings in the city, such as as block B6 on Giang Vo Street, a residential building on Nguyen Cong Tru Street and block C1 of Thanh Cong area. While these buildings have been assessed as dangerous, authorities have been unable to move residents.

Residents have been reluctant to move as they were not happy with the compensation offered by the project contractor. Despite these recent efforts to satisfy residents, many are still unhappy with the deal.

"I don't agree with the fourth floor in the new resettlement area. But my apartment is now at street level in the city's centre and very convenient. I need better compensation," said Nguyen Van Kinh, head of resident group number 23 of block B6 on Giang Vo Street.

Kinh is not the only resident who's unhappy. Nguyen Thiep, owner of apartment 116 in the same building, said that he did not think the building was dangerous.

"I won't move, I am retired and I cannot afford a new apartment, even if I only have to pay for a small part of it," said Thiep.

Source: Vietnam News

 

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