HCM CITY      Disputes between investors and buyers in apartment building complexes have escalated in recent years as the number of buildings in HCM City has increased, according to the city’s Department of Construction.

The disputes often concerned the prescribed space for apartments and public spaces, Trần Trọng Tuấn, director of the city’s Department of Construction, said at a conference held on Thursday to review management of apartment buildings.

The disputes arise during all stages of the building process, from construction to completion, and after residents have moved into the apartments, according to Tuấn.

“Disputes occur because management boards have not been strict, and state management agencies have not detected violations in a timely manner,” he said.

However, conflicts in recent years have increased because of the proliferation of new buildings. City authorities have had to step up inspections, sanctions, and public information campaigns about building regulations.

About 1,440 apartment buildings exist in the city, accounting for 8.4 per cent of total housing in the city.

Of the figure, more than 200 apartment buildings do not have their own management board, and 151 apartment buildings do not have units to take charge of the buildings’ operations.

Most of the disputes have occurred at 38 apartment buildings located in districts 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, Tân Bình, Bình Thạnh, Bình Tân and Nhà Bè.

The complaints are mostly related to certificates for land-use rights and ownership of houses, parking lots, apartment management, fire prevention, maintenance fees, and arbitrary changes in the building’s name and apartment design.

Nguyễn Thanh Hải, head of the department’s Housing and Office Sub-department, said that about 71 per cent of the disputes were related to maintenance fees.

“Most of the investors are slow in handing over maintenance fees, or fail to hand them over to the building management boards. Also, investors and boards often fail to agree on the rate of maintenance fees,” he said.

Hải proposed abolishing the regulation which requires the investor to collect a maintenance fee of 2 per cent.

“The maintenance fund should be collected by the building management boards,” he said.

Vũ Ngọc Hương, general director of Venus Corporation, who has years of experience in housing management, said the lack of professionalism and proper management tools were common causes of the disputes.

"The city needs professionally selected staff, a new way of operating buildings, and standards that can be evaluated by investors and residents," she added.

“Using ‘smart’ technologies would result in improved efficiency and management,” she said.

The city’s Department of Construction said it would handle maintenance fees, inspections, and disputes related to violations.

The department would also continue working closely with district people’s committees to disseminate information about laws and regulations related to building management. VNS