The Ministry of Construction has announced a revised draft of the Housing Law, which includes a regulation to ban the use of residential homes as guesthouses.
The Ministry of Constsruction's revised draft of the Housing Law bans the use of residential homes as guesthouses
According to the draft, houses are also banned from being served as a place for gas business, karaoke services, inflammable material storage or other prohibited activities in line with laws. If the regulation is approved thousands of guesthouses nationwide may be forced to close.
Meanwhile, individuals and organisations would be required to conform to stipulated designs and areas.
Two years ago, the ministry also issued a document which does not allow the use apartments as offices. This faced strong public opposition, including opposition from experts who said it would be difficult to enforce.
The ministry then requested localities not to allow people to use their accommodation houses for business purposes. Nonetheless, experts said, the Housing Law 2005 does not include any regulation banning this, except for the prohibition of using the houses for illegal activities.
The Ministry of Construction has also proposed establishing a home savings bank, which would operate under as a joint stock company. The bank would provide capital for households and individuals who have deposits in the bank in order to enable them to purchase new houses or upgrade their existing homes.
