As reported recently, a mini apartment building at 22 alley 236/17 Khuong Dinh street (Ha Dinh ward, Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi) is seriously downgraded, with two reinforced concrete columns under the parking floor of the building cracked from the base to the ceiling.
To support this building, the authorities have reinforced the system of iron scaffolding around the base of the columns. The residents living in the building also have to relocate completely to ensure safety.
It is noteworthy that, according to our investigation, this building was granted a construction permit in 2016. Although the construction permit states that the investor is allowed to build a 5-storey building, mezzanine and attic, in reality, compared to the construction permit, the investor has added 3 more floors to this building.
Mini apartment building exceeds the permitted number of floors at 95 alley 358 Bui Xương Trạch street. Photo: PV.
Our team of journalists’ survey shows that there are still many mini apartment buildings in Thanh Xuan district that exceed the permitted number of floors.
For example, the project at 9 + 11 alley 29/28 Khương Hạ street was granted a permit to build 6 floors, mezzanine and attic, but the investor has built 9 floors. Another example is the mini apartment building at 11A alley 29/42 Khương Hạ street, which was granted a construction permit for 6 floors, mezzanine and attic, but the investor has “increased” it to 8 floors.
Even more serious, according to the announcement of the authorities, both of these projects have been determined to have no second emergency exit at the floors, the fire prevention and fighting solution at the floors is not guaranteed, and the firefighting system needs maintenance.
Some other mini apartment buildings that exceed the permitted number of floors or are built without permission are located at the following addresses: 15 alley 29/42 Khương Hạ street, 95 alley 358 Bui Xương Trạch street (Khuong Dinh ward), 28 alley 12 Chinh Kinh street (Nhan Chinh ward)…
Recently, regarding the issues arising from the mini apartment building type, Hanoi City People’s Committee assigned the City Department of Construction to take the lead in coordinating with district and town People’s Committees to review the entire city’s area regarding multi-storey, multi-apartment housing.
The city requested that this review must thoroughly evaluate the legal nature, land management, investment in construction, and completely handle violations of construction order, and propose competent agencies to handle violations related to fire prevention and fighting. Based on the results of the review mentioned above, the Department of Construction will consult and report to the City People’s Committee for direction according to its authority and provisions.
