The Ministry of Construction has announced that provincial People's Committees must submit a report detailing the misuse of apartment buildings in their localities no later than March 30...

Last November, the ministry issued a ban against business operations in residential apartment buildings. However, it has been discovered that despite the ban, the management boards of many high-rise residential buildings in Ha Noi, including Trung Hoa, Nhan Chinh, Yen Hoa and others, have rented out apartments for companies to use as offices. This practice strays from the intended use of the apartments.

According to Nguyen Trong Ninh, deputy director of the construction ministry's Housing Management Department, apartments used to conduct business have a negative impact on the daily routines of other residents.

In January, the department asked management boards of residential buildings to investigate how apartments in their buildings are being used and to develop solutions to potential problems, particularly in the case of fire. However, the Ministry has yet to receive a reply.

"Now there is a deadline which requires local authorities to send in a report about apartment misuse in their localities," said Ninh. Based on those reports, the Ministry will determine the appropriate punishments.

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