Allowing the construction of 25m2 apartments paves the way for apartment-offices.

The Ministry of Construction has officially responded to a business regarding investment in the construction of small-sized apartments in Ho Chi Minh City, and also stated that it will study the legal framework for the office-apartment (officetel) type of property.

Small apartments are a real need - Illustration

According to this company, there is actually a relatively high demand for small apartments under 45m2 to serve low-income individuals, single people, and young families of 2-3 people in large urban areas and industrial development zones, and these have already been built in many localities.

According to the previous regulations in Article 40 of the 2005 Housing Law: "Apartment buildings must be designed with self-contained apartments, with each apartment having a floor area of ​​not less than 45m2." Accordingly, local businesses have sent documents to the Ministry of Construction requesting permission to invest in the construction of commercial housing with areas of 30-40 m2.

Based on that, the Housing Law enacted in 2014 (replacing the Housing Law enacted in 2005) removed the regulation limiting the minimum area of ​​45m2 for commercial apartment units. Specifically, the regulations on standards for commercial apartment housing are stipulated in Clause 2, Article 24 as follows: “For apartment units, they must be designed and constructed as self-contained units, with floor area conforming to construction standards and regulations.”

The Ministry of Construction announced that it is currently preparing to issue a National Technical Standard for apartment buildings, specifically for self-contained apartments. While the Ministry is preparing the standard, a temporary minimum area of ​​25m2 (equivalent to the current regulation on minimum area for social housing apartments) may be applied, ensuring the design and construction follow a self-contained apartment style.

According to the Ministry of Construction, the office-cum-residential building (officetel) is a new type of real estate not yet regulated or governed by current construction standards and legal documents. However, there is a real demand for officetels, and investment projects have been proposed in several cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, so they need to be considered and addressed on a project-by-project basis.

In reality, in major cities in Vietnam as well as in other countries around the world, the construction of mixed-use buildings, including residential apartments, supermarkets, and offices (officetels), is relatively common. These buildings are designed and constructed from the outset to suit their specific functions. This ensures that mixed-use projects and buildings are constructed in accordance with the technical and social infrastructure of the project area.

At the same time, to address some difficulties in investment, construction, and management of officetel projects and buildings, the Ministry of Construction proposes that the Government supplement relevant regulations and laws.

In fulfilling the task assigned by the Government, the Ministry of Construction will coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other relevant ministries and agencies to research and issue, or submit to competent authorities for issuance, supplement and improve regulations to ensure good management of the investment and construction of officetel projects and buildings in urban areas nationwide.

"Father Dang Huu Nam, we are so tired!"

According to Thanh Hang/baochinhphu.vn