Promotion of 'Floor Height 1.8m' at a Naju Officetel Model House
Actual Height Around 1.5m, Unable to Stand Upright...Lawsuit Ongoing for Contract Cancellation
Developer States "Difference Between Floor Height and Ceiling Height Concepts...C
Mr. Jeong Seok-su, who resides in Gwangju Metropolitan City, signed a contract for a newly built officetel in the Innovation City of Naju, Jeollanam-do, to live with his son. Mr. Jeong, who had been eagerly counting down the days until moving in, said that his excitement was completely shattered when he visited the property for a pre-move-in inspection.
The story is as follows. Mr. Jeong was looking for a house in Jeollanam-do to live quietly. He searched extensively not only as a long-term investment but also to live with his son.
On the 22nd, Jeong Seok-su was unable to straighten his back in a duplex officetel in Naju, Jeollanam-do. [Photo by Min Hyun-gi]
During this time, a newly built officetel in Naju Innovation City caught his eye. It is a duplex officetel with about 500 units, scheduled for move-in in November 2022. However, duplex officetels are often narrow or have low ceilings, which made him hesitant due to anticipated inconvenience.
While deliberating, Mr. Jeong was swayed by the promotional agency of the officetel advertising a high duplex ceiling height of 1.8m. The pamphlet listed six features including 'rental guarantee system' and 'full interest-free intermediate payment,' but the phrase 'ceiling height 1.8m' stood out.
Thinking he needed to see it in person, Mr. Jeong visited the model house located in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Standing about 170 cm tall, he was able to walk upright on the duplex floor. With the bed and chairs already furnished, he thought he could just set it up like that for his son to use the duplex.
Planning the second and third chapters of his life, Mr. Jeong eagerly awaited moving in. However, upon entering the officetel, his expectations and excitement turned into emptiness and anger. It was not the same as the model house he had seen.
The duplex floor where he could walk upright in the model house required him to bend his back in the actual officetel, and his head touched the ceiling. The space, which seemed ample with mattresses and chairs in the model house, was so narrow in reality that it was difficult to place anything due to drawers surrounding the walls.
This story is not unique to Mr. Jeong. About ten other buyers, including him, claimed it was a 'fraudulent sale,' but the officetel developer maintained that there was no problem.
The developer explained that although the ceiling height is about 1.5m, the floor height is 1.8m, which is consistent with the design plan and legally correct.
Ceiling height refers to the height from the floor finish where the feet touch to the point where the head touches, while floor height refers to the height from the floor slab to the upper floor slab.
They sought help from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, but were told to go to Naju City, the local government responsible for the officetel. Naju City stated that they only decide on construction permits based on design plans and have no obligation or authority to manage how the model house is built or promoted.
The duplex design plan for the officetel was registered as an 'attic' with a height of 1.47m, planned as a storage space like a warehouse. Naju City confirmed that construction was carried out according to the approved design and explained that the current construction status complies with building laws.
However, Mr. Jeong and other buyers expressed frustration, saying, "We were not given any explanation at the model house, and if the pamphlet states a floor height of 1.8m, how could ordinary people like us distinguish whether it refers to ceiling height or floor height?" and "The duplex we saw at the model house is very different."
They also claim that "false and exaggerated advertising was conducted to improve business viability and sales rates," and are currently pursuing legal action.
The 'Enforcement Decree of the Building Act' specifies that attic areas not exceeding 1.5m in height are not included in the floor area. In other words, if the duplex height exceeds 1.5m, it is included in the first-floor area. A legal duplex must register the exclusive area of both floors, which means the building owner must pay more taxes.
Moreover, a duplex built as an 'attic' rather than a 'room' cannot have heating installed, making it cold in winter and poorly cooled in summer.
The problem is that although such disputes can arise, there are no legal regulations regarding management or supervision, leaving buyers with nowhere to turn for relief.
Jang Jae-young, head of the Naju City Building Permit Team, said, "Currently, it has been difficult to properly verify because the model house is created after the completion permit is issued," and added, "We will try to devise measures as soon as possible, such as creating ordinances that allow issuing completion permits after the model house is established."
Honam Reporting Headquarters reporters Min Hyun-ki and Kim Yuk-bong hyunki@asiae.co.kr
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