>> Inside Hanoi’s apartment block businesses

>> Office market reacts strongly to MoC\'s ban

>> Apartments not allowed to be used as offices

The Ministry of Construction (MOC) has asked Hanoi authorities to cease issuing licences for businesses registered to have offices in apartment blocks.

Companies’ operations will affect households’ life at apartment blocks

The move is aimed to prevent problems that a number of apartment blocks are facing, particularly fire risks due to loose fire prevention and safety measures.

In a document sent to the Hanoi People’s Committee, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nam, cited a fire case at a 34 storey building in Trung Hoa-Nhan Chinh urban area. The incident was because of a company\'s negligence in safety standards.

Up to 50 out of 365 apartments of the 34-floor building at Trung Hoa-Nhan Chinh urban area are used as business bases and offices. The fire was due to an electrical spark from apartment No. 1908 which is the office of HT2D Software Company Ltd.

The company opened ventilation fans on October 31, 2010 (Sunday) to protect computers from humidity and as a result, the electrical spark happened and affected other equipment in the apartment.

With construction started in 2001, Nam Trung Yen residential area still lacks many infrastructure works. The area does not have basements for car parking and a number of apartments are used for sales and business activities. Around the residential area are pubs and parking lots impacting the living condition of local households.

Deputy Minister Nam also requested the Hanoi People’s Committee issue regulations on fire prevention and safety as well as use managing services to look over operations and ensure safety in apartment blocks.