Assemblyman Kim Hoe-jae Deceives in Sale and Lease of LH Apartments Failing Interfloor Noise Standards

Construction carried out before quality test results were out, leading to inter-floor noise performance failure
Reconstruction or repair not possible despite LH performance standard failure, so just completed
Could be considered fraud in sale and le

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] It has been revealed that LH knowingly rented or sold defective apartments that failed to meet inter-floor noise performance standards to residents without informing them and did not provide any compensation or repairs afterward.

According to Kim Hoe-jae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeosu-eul, Jeonnam), LH was audited by the Board of Audit and Inspection in 2019 regarding the noise reduction status of already occupied apartments and those under construction.

At that time, the Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out that LH ignored procedures by proceeding with main construction before conducting performance tests in the model units, resulting in some complexes failing to meet performance standards.

LH’s internal specifications require building a model unit first to measure inter-floor noise and proceed with main construction only if the performance standards are met.

However, the audit found that out of 89 sites investigated, 31 sites (35%) proceeded with main construction without building model units due to construction convenience, insufficient construction period, or lack of knowledge of regulations, thus failing to measure performance in advance.

As a result, noise inspections at 9 sites revealed that 5 sites failed to meet performance standards.

Additionally, 55 sites (62%) began main construction without receiving cushioning material quality test results. When cushioning materials were sampled and tested at 3 sites where quality test results were not confirmed, 2 sites were found to have cushioning materials that did not meet performance standards.

LH reportedly completed construction without redoing or repairing the defective apartments because they had already been built.

Rep. Kim criticized, “The problem is that LH did not inform residents of these facts at all and proceeded with rental and sales. Innocent residents are living in defective apartments, paying the same prices and rents as normal apartments without knowing anything.”

LH’s position is that although they ignored procedures and did not conduct prior performance tests, they used certified products, so legally they bear no responsibility even if performance standards were not met.

Rep. Kim Hoe-jae stated, “Beyond legal issues, this can be seen as fraudulent sales and rentals. Even after being pointed out by the Board of Audit and Inspection and knowing the defects, allowing residents to move in without any measures is not the attitude expected of a public institution. They should clearly disclose the affected complexes and prepare measures for the residents immediately.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.