Mini apartments are springing up everywhere, how to manage them?

Mini apartments in deep alleys are not approved.

According to a survey by VTC News reporters, most mini apartment investors in Hanoi try to maximize their land use, so they build in deep, narrow alleys, rarely build emergency exits, and fire prevention and fighting facilities are only a formality because they have not been assessed.

Many mini apartments even blatantly build more floors than allowed. Therefore, this type of apartment always has many potential dangers for residents.

However, up to now the management of these apartment buildings has not received timely attention.

Absolutely avoid approving mini apartments located deep in alleys and difficult to access.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh - Vice President of Vietnam Real Estate Association - President of Vietnam Real Estate Brokers Association (VARS), if from the beginning, the mini apartment owners comply with the regulations, build the mini apartment according to approval, with the appropriate number of floors, have fire escapes, after putting into operation, regularly maintain and repair, properly and fully equip fire prevention and fighting measures, then the incident will be unlikely to happen. Even if it does happen, the consequences will be controlled.

"If the authorities work properly, after discovering violations, they will handle them thoroughly. The market has enough social housing projects, commercial housing, affordable prices, suitable for the financial capacity of the majority of people, then perhaps mini apartment buildings that do not meet standards will not have the opportunity to be consumed," Mr. Dinh emphasized.

Therefore, according to Mr. Dinh, to ensure the safe operation and exploitation of mini apartments, there should be more stringent regulations on investment and construction of mini apartments. Absolutely avoid approving mini apartments located deep in alleys, difficult to access.

Scene of the mini apartment fire on Khuong Ha street (Hanoi).

Specifically, similar to other housing projects, mini apartments also need to have minimum regulations on surrounding infrastructure. And the "capacity and responsibility" of the mini apartment owner must also be clearly defined. Not just having land and money can build mini apartments for sale or rent.

Construction and operation control of mini apartments must be strictly and regularly implemented. Ensure that mini apartments are completed in accordance with approved standards. During operation, they must be regularly maintained and fully meet fire safety requirements.

In addition, people should note that before deciding to buy a mini apartment, they need to carefully consider the legal documents. Mini apartments must have a construction permit issued by the district/county, and must have fire safety approval approved by the police agency.

These are core legal issues that mini apartment buyers must pay attention to in order to ensure their rights. In particular, according to Mr. Dinh, from a broader, more profound perspective, it is necessary to clear the supply of social housing and affordable commercial housing.

“ There is a great need for more special mechanisms and policies to create maximum conditions for investors to develop this segment. Banks should also study specific policies for loans to buy and develop commercial housing at suitable prices.

In addition, there should also be better support mechanisms for first-time homebuyers in the cities where they live and work, to create more opportunities for people to get closer to their dream of a "safe place to live ", Mr. Dinh recommended.

Fire prevention is required to do business.

According to Lawyer Nguyen Quang Ngoc - Director of Thien Viet International Law Firm (VIETSKY), to ensure safety, mini apartment buildings when renovated must comply with fire safety regulations of regular apartment buildings (in case they have been sold to households such as commercial apartments) and public buildings (in case of rental).

The most important thing is that the renovation design ensures maximum isolation of the parking area, ensures the ability to prevent fire from spreading to the upper floors, and installs a synchronous smoke alarm and fire fighting system. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the ability to prevent fire and smoke contamination for the staircase and the emergency exit lobby to ensure the ability to escape in case of fire or explosion.

Mini apartments are springing up like mushrooms but management remains lax. (Photo: Cong Hieu).

In addition, additional emergency elevators and outdoor emergency stairs should be arranged, similar to the method of arranging iron emergency ladders on the facade of many old housing projects in European countries.

Mr. Tran Chung, former Director of the State Appraisal Department of Construction Quality ( Ministry of Construction ) also said that to ensure safety for people, mini apartment buildings must strictly comply with the provisions of the law on construction and fire prevention.

At the same time, state management agencies need to closely inspect and monitor the quality of construction works, from measures on foundations, structures, and housing designs to ensure life safety and rescue capabilities...

In addition to fire prevention and escape conditions, if necessary, apartment buildings can be required to use fireproof construction materials or materials that do not release toxic or suffocating substances when burned.

Another issue of concern is the need to train and equip people with fire prevention and escape skills and measures.

Sharing the same view, Professor Dang Hung Vo - former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment said that to overcome the shortcomings and violations of fire prevention and fighting in hundreds of mini apartments in Hanoi today, the city needs to inspect and review. Any mini apartment building lacking a fire escape ladder should be required to install a second fire escape ladder before continuing to use it.

In addition, the management of mini apartment construction must ensure compliance with technical standards. Mr. Vo gave an example of the mini apartment fire that just broke out on Khuong Ha Street. It is impossible to grant a permit to build a mini apartment deep in a small alley where fire trucks cannot enter.

Chau Anh

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