"Not a Single Household Can Move In"…Residents of Gimpo Apartment Frustrated Over Violation of Height Restriction Regulations

Residents awaiting move-in at an apartment complex in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, are suffering damages as the apartment was constructed in violation of height restrictions around Gimpo Airport, causing delays in move-in schedules.

On the 14th, Yonhap News reported that the Gimpo Gochon Station Regional Housing Association apartment in Singok-ri, Gochon-eup, Gimpo, was built 63 cm higher than the height restriction regulation, resulting in no usage approval being granted. This has caused difficulties for prospective residents in matters such as their children's school enrollment and loan repayments, prompting calls for countermeasures.

Apartment Exceeding Height Restrictions
Photo by Gimpo Gochon Station Regional Housing Association Provided

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The apartment complex consists of 8 buildings with 399 households and was scheduled to begin move-in on the 12th, but not a single household has moved in yet because the construction company failed to comply with the height restrictions.

The apartment is located 3 to 4 km away from Gimpo Airport and, according to the Airport Facilities Act, must be no taller than 57.86 meters. However, 7 out of the 8 buildings were constructed 63 to 69 cm higher than this limit, resulting in Gimpo City not granting usage approval.

Gimpo City had set the height restriction as a condition for project approval back in March 2020, but the construction company and the supervision team submitted inspection and completion reports 12 times, falsely reporting compliance. As a result, the apartment did not receive usage approval by the scheduled move-in date on the 12th, leaving prospective residents without a place to stay in the harsh winter cold.

A prospective resident, Lee (38), told Yonhap News, "I have an 8-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter, and the delay in moving in has made it difficult for them to start school or kindergarten." He added, "I am trying to find temporary housing such as short-term rental apartments or one-room units, but I have not been able to secure any."

Some are also facing difficulties with loan repayments. Im (62) said, "The tenant who was supposed to move into my previous rental house has already signed a contract, so I have to vacate immediately, but I have nowhere to transfer my address to." He continued, "I was planning to convert my interim payment loan into a mortgage loan, but this has become difficult, and I am worried I may not be able to repay it by the March maturity date."

Apartment of Gimpo Regional Housing Association Delayed Due to Violation of Height Restrictions
[Photo by Gimpo Gochon Station Regional Housing Association]

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The problem is that immediate measures for the prospective residents are unlikely to be available. When the scheduled move-in date of the 12th arrived, the association members requested temporary usage approval, but Gimpo City stated that they would conduct a usage inspection only after the height is lowered through reconstruction in accordance with relevant regulations.

The construction company announced that they would carry out supplementary construction to comply with height restrictions for internal elevators and other facilities, but it is expected to take about two months, making move-in possible no earlier than February.

According to Gimpo City, three households were originally scheduled to move in on the 12th, and 55 households have applied to move in by early March.

Gimpo City stated that it has reported the construction company Y Construction and the supervision team to the police for violating the Housing Act and will supervise whether the construction company properly implements compensation measures such as providing temporary housing or paying penalties for breaking moving contracts.

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