The rights of residents in Vicentra apartment building must be protected.

(Baonghean) - Recently, Baonghean Newspaper received a petition from residents of the Vicentra apartment complex (Vinh City) complaining about inadequate living conditions, with many apartments lacking 3-5 square meters in actual area... To clarify the residents' complaints, we investigated and found that their concerns were well-founded.

CMs. Van Anh, who lives in apartment 1803, said: “Vicentra was advertised as a high-end apartment complex. However, we have been completely disappointed since living here. Although we pay monthly living expenses, cleaning is only done occasionally. Furthermore, many households have purchased apartments later and are completing their work sporadically, but the building management doesn't remind them to maintain cleanliness during construction, instead allowing them to dump garbage in the common hallway. Even construction workers, lacking a proper restroom, have defecated in the elevator.” Ms. Van Anh then showed us a video recorded at 7:15 PM on December 11, 2013, in front of apartment 1805. At that time, construction workers were bringing materials out into the hallway to cut, creating a cloud of dust and water everywhere. Along with that, there were numerous photos reflecting the unsanitary conditions in the apartment complex. Next, we measured the area of ​​her apartment with Ms. Van Anh. The results showed that, according to the contract, Ms. Van Anh's apartment area was 86.6m2, but the actual measurement was only 83m2, a shortfall of 3m2.

Ms. Van Anh (apartment 1803) measured her apartment again and found it was 3 square meters smaller.

Mr. Nguyen Hung, the owner of apartments 1104 and 1105, also expressed his frustration, stating: “In the sales contract, the developer committed to always ensuring electricity for the hallways and elevators. However, whenever there is a power outage, the generator also breaks down, causing residents to be trapped in the elevators for tens of minutes on many occasions. Furthermore, according to regulations, apartment owners are supposed to purchase electricity directly from the power company, but even after nearly two years of living here, we still have to buy from the Management Board at the commercial rate of 2,500 VND/KW...”. Measurements of Mr. Nguyen Hung's two apartments (1104 and 1105) also show a shortfall of 3-4 square meters compared to the contract... In addition, many residents are concerned about security and order.

Regarding the aforementioned issues, during discussions, Mr. Nguyen Canh Mao, General Director of Vinh Commercial Center Investment Joint Stock Company, acknowledged: Firstly, localized unsanitary conditions do occur, due to some households lacking awareness of maintaining general hygiene, and some households moving in later causing dirt during the transportation of materials and supplies. Secondly, there have been incidents related to electricity, but only a few malfunctions due to power source switching (outages). The fact that residents have to pay commercial electricity rates is also true. The company has repeatedly petitioned relevant authorities, but because there are still few residents in the building, implementation has not been possible. However, Vinh Power Company recently conducted a survey to compile a list for the early implementation of electricity sales at residential rates. Regarding residents' concerns about security and order, Mr. Mao stated that the apartment complex only has 25 motorbikes, all of which are under contract, and security guards manage them based on license plates and contracts. However, if residents file a complaint, the company will proceed with collecting fees. Accordingly, a proposal has been submitted to the board of directors to add more security guards to control the floors. Regarding the complaint about the discrepancy in area, it is true that there is a difference between the constructed area and the actual area. The investor and the residents will jointly inspect and sign a record of the actual measurement. The company will then forward the matter to the sales office to process the refund.

Thus, based on the issues raised by residents of the Vicentra apartment complex and the survey, it appears that the developer and building management have lacked attention, failed to fulfill their responsibilities, and lacked transparency in the apartment sales process. For example, regarding the discrepancy in apartment area, the seller should have conducted a detailed measurement upon handover so that homeowners know the actual area and the corresponding amount they should pay, instead of waiting for residents' complaints. Regarding issues such as environmental sanitation, security, and electricity, these are minimum requirements that residents should have met and that should be fulfilled according to the contract, without blaming objective factors. Furthermore, if considered in the true sense of "high-end," the Vicentra apartment complex needs many additional amenities, such as green spaces, playgrounds, swimming pools, and gyms. This explains why many people have questioned the term "high-end" after moving in.

In my opinion, Vinh Commercial Center Investment Joint Stock Company needs to clearly recognize its responsibility for neglecting the quality of services at the apartment complex in the past, and promptly take corrective measures to ensure the legitimate rights of the current residents, so that "Vicentra becomes an ideal place to live in Vinh City" as advertised.

Quang An