Warning about social housing brokerage tricks

Sophisticated tricks of "brokers"

Every time a social housing project opens for sale, many real estate brokers immediately take advantage of buyers' eagerness to set traps by advertising loudly on social networks, promising to "reserve a spot", "internal spot", "cover all procedures". Many people, wanting to own a house, hastily deposit tens, even hundreds of millions of dong without knowing that they are at risk of being scammed. Only when the project officially opens for sale, many customers are shocked to realize that they do not have a spot to buy or that spot has been transferred to many people, pushing up the price.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuy (from Ha Tinh, working at Lien Chieu Industrial Park) said: “I searched for social housing on the internet and then contacted a broker. They promised to have a quick purchase if I transferred 30 million VND. Because I needed a house urgently, I almost agreed but luckily a friend warned me in time. After that, I went to the project myself to learn more and complete the application according to the official process.”

Not only asking for “grease”, “land brokers” also create sophisticated scam scenarios such as spreading fake news that the project is about to run out of quotas, housing prices are about to increase to make customers panic and rush to pay. Mr. Dang Thanh Khanh, a real estate broker in Hoa Vang district and Lien Chieu district revealed: “Being a “land broker” is enough tricks to attract customers to successfully buy and sell real estate. But there are also many “land brokers” who use the trick of making “authorization to buy” social housing contracts. For example, “land brokers” sign contracts with customers, promising to do the procedures on their behalf but in fact sell this quota to someone else at a higher price.

When discovered, customers are in a difficult situation because the contract is ambiguous and the law does not have clear sanctions. The case of Ms. LT Thao (Son Tra district) is a typical example. She is fully qualified to buy social housing, but when buying through a land broker, the apartment price is pushed up 200 million VND higher than the original price. These tricks not only make people lose money but also distort social housing policy, causing public outrage.

People need to carefully research information.

Mr. Nguyen The Tuan, a worker at Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, shared: “When researching a project, I received many invitations for consultation, warning that the odds of winning the lottery were very low. They advised me to buy a diplomatic quota for 40-50 million VND. But when I read the official announcement, I saw that I was qualified, so I submitted my application myself and was fully guided.”

Not only “raising the purchase price”, some brokers also impersonate project staff, promise priority rates and ask customers to pay the difference. However, in reality, after each sale by social housing investors, the list of 100-200 apartments is made public in the press and on the website of the Department of Construction. Accordingly, the investor also affirms that there are no brokerage partners in the process of distributing social housing.

Mr. Le Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, said that the department has just issued Document No. 678/SXD-QLN to rectify the process of reviewing and approving documents for purchasing and renting social housing; at the same time, requesting the People's Committees of districts to strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations in social housing transactions. Wards and communes must enhance their responsibility in receiving and guiding documents, ensuring proper procedures and avoiding delays. Investors must strictly comply with the regulations on reviewing documents according to the Housing Law 2023 and related legal documents.

According to Mr. Tuan, before opening for sale social housing, investors must fully disclose information about the number of apartments, selling prices, approval conditions, and payment schedule. The price of social housing must not exceed the level assessed by the Department of Construction. Payment must be according to the contract and schedule, the first time must not exceed 30%, the total before handover must not exceed 70%, and before issuing the pink book must not exceed 95%. "If people have a need to buy social housing, they should find information on the website of the Department of Construction (https://sxd.danang.gov.vn) or official channels, absolutely do not believe in the promise of "running for a spot". Registration documents must be declared honestly, and approved publicly by drawing lots if they exceed the number," said Mr. Tuan.

Lawyer Nguyen Anh Tuan (Do Thanh Nhan Law Office) recommends: “Buyers should work directly with the investor, avoid unclear transactions through intermediaries. Only sign legally notarized contracts and do not transfer money without an official contract”. According to Mr. Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy General Director of Saigon - Da Nang Investment Joint Stock Company, fraudulent tricks such as “brokers” promising to take care of the purchase, selling online at a difference in price, and even forging documents. To avoid falling into traps, people need to carefully research information through official sources, contact the investor directly and check the documents and purchase and sale procedures in accordance with regulations.

According to the Department of Construction, in 2025, Da Nang will complete 4 social housing projects with 1,807 apartments, and start 3 new projects, adding 3,519 apartments. In addition, the city will approve 7 new projects with 4,629 apartments, bringing the total to 14 projects with nearly 10,000 apartments, meeting the Government's target for the 2025-2030 period. With strict management policies and abundant supply, people can completely access social housing according to the correct procedures, avoiding risks when transacting through unofficial brokers.

TRONG HUNG

Source: https://baodanang.vn/xa-hoi/202504/canh-bao-chieu-tro-moi-gioi-mua-nha-o-xa-hoi-4003008/