Fire Safety Directive Shakes Up Vietnam's Rental Housing Market

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In response to a series of devastating fires in mini apartments, Hà Nội is cracking down with strict fire safety regulations. The Prime Minister has mandated that mini apartments and rental properties lacking fire prevention standards cease operations by March 30, 2024, under Directive 19/2024. Property inspections and guidance are underway, aimed at landlords who must follow fire safety improvement plans to comply.

The Hà Nội People's Committee, led by Deputy Chairman Lê Hồng Sơn, has issued guidelines for immediate fire safety enhancements. Essential measures include equipping buildings with portable fire extinguishers, ensuring at least one safe emergency exit, and establishing alternative escape routes. Moreover, landlords must review and upgrade electrical systems, prohibiting risky practices like using repeatedly refilled gas cylinders.

For larger residential buildings, newly enforced changes encompass reorganising parking spaces to six square metres per apartment and setting up separate areas for electric vehicle charging, complete with fire suppression equipment for potential electric car fires. This comes amid heightened scrutiny and calls for rigorous implementation of fire safety laws from National Assembly delegate Nguyễn Thị Việt Nga.

As the deadline approaches, many landlords are expressing concerns about the feasibility of meeting these new requirements. Nguyễn Văn Q., a landlord, struggles with adapting parking facilities in his densely utilised property. Authorities have warned that non-compliant properties will face closure, and in some areas, utilities may be cut off to enforce compliance.

Throughout Hà Nội, officials have undertaken an extensive inspection campaign of around 37,000 rental houses and over 2,000 mini apartments. The city is intent on ensuring no violations slip through the net, promising significant actions against properties failing to upgrade their fire safety protocols. This urgent initiative highlights the critical need for effective measures to safeguard against tragic fire incidents in the city's rapidly growing urban landscape, reported Vietnam News.