"Claims of Hundreds of Defects in Common Areas"
Disputes Continue Over Unpaid Construction Fees and More
Recently, a large number of defects were discovered in a newly constructed apartment in Gwangju, where pre-move-in had just begun, causing dissatisfaction among the buyers. In addition, payment disputes have arisen, leading to ongoing conflicts.
On the 17th, Yonhap News reported that the H Apartment in Geumnam-ro, consisting of 99 units, which received completion approval from Dong-gu Office in Gwangju on April 25, was sold at about 23 million KRW per 3.3㎡ as part of a premium strategy. However, over 30 households who purchased units are refusing to move in due to construction defects and are expressing dissatisfaction with Dong-gu Office, which granted the completion approval. The sale price was significantly higher than the average sale price in the Gwangju area in 2022, which was 15.3 million KRW.
Although pre-move-in started on the 31st of last month, more than 30 households are refusing to move in due to numerous defects found in the apartment. They claim that after surveying the entire apartment, there are hundreds of defects including construction and accessory defects, unstable finishing, uninstalled toilet bowls, leaks, and exposed wiring in the bathroom and living room.
They stated, "During two rounds of pre-inspections, defects were found in the finishing of wallpaper, kitchen sinks, tiles, and several defects in common areas, but these were not fixed by the move-in day." The buyers held a rally in front of Dong-gu Office on the same day, saying, "They sold the apartments at a relatively high price as premium apartments, but now they want us to move into apartments with many defects," and urged, "Please take measures to extend the move-in period." However, a Gwangju Dong-gu official explained, "Defects related to finishing materials are not considered serious defects and are not significantly related to the completion approval," and added, "We will review whether administrative measures can be taken."
Furthermore, this apartment is also embroiled in a dispute between the contractor and a construction machinery operator. Mr. A, a construction machinery operator who participated in the construction of the apartment, claims he has not received over 100 million KRW in unpaid construction fees and is in a verbal dispute with the contractor. Mr. A argues that since the subcontracted construction company he contracted with went bankrupt, the contractor should pay him directly. However, the contractor counters that they have already paid all construction fees to the subcontracted company and cannot accept his demand.
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