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Ministry issues policy on condo fees, use of public space
The Ministry of Construction has issued policies on the use of public and private space in apartment buildings as well as on fees charged to condominium owners.
The ministry circular requires the apartment sales contract to distinguish between the buyer’s private space and the building’s public space, such as the hallways, stairs, lifts and parking lots.
Both the Housing Law and ministry regulations state that apartment building residents do not have to pay to use public spaces.
Condominium contracts must designate what facilities might be owned by the buildings’ developers such as swimming pools, tennis courts or supermarkets.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Tran Nam said the instructions should have come sooner to prevent the many conflicts that have flared up between apartment occupants and investors.
Some apartment building developers in Ho Chi Minh City asked residents to pay enormous fees of up to US$25,000 for a car parking space or to use meeting areas, child care facilities and even libraries.
Also in line with the new circular, all contracts must specify the apartment’s exact measurements in detail.
Two percent of each apartment price will be used for maintenance fees. If the amount is not enough, the developers can ask residents to contribute extra fees based on the size of their apartments, according to the ministry.
The sale contract must mention these fees and estimate the amount each household must pay to cover the other costs of operating the buildings, Nam said.
City and provincial People’s Committees will decide the maximum operation fee for apartment buildings in their jurisdiction, according to the ministry.
The developers and buyers will rely on those ceiling fees to work out specific payments in their sales contracts.
Nam said committees are allowed to change the ceiling fees every year depending on market prices.
An Nguyen
Thanh nien
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