[ChangesInSecondHalf] Build Apartments Taller by Reducing 'Floor Noise' with Thicker Flooring Layers

Changes Coming in the Second Half of 2024

In the future, when the floor thickness is constructed thicker than the legal standard to improve inter-floor noise performance, the apartment height can be increased accordingly.

The government published a booklet titled "Changes in the Second Half of 2024" on the 30th, which includes this information.

Starting from July 17, if the project owner constructs the floor structure of apartment buildings with a thickness equal to or greater than the thickness prescribed by the Presidential Decree (250mm), the project plan approval authority may relax the maximum building height limit set by the district unit plan by up to 115% according to standards set by local ordinances, without exceeding this limit.

This measure aims to prevent disadvantages caused by a decrease in the number of sale units due to height restrictions when construction companies increase floor thickness, and to encourage voluntary efforts to reduce inter-floor noise.

◆Mandatory Notification of Performance Test Results to Prospective Residents

To guarantee the right to know for prospective residents of apartment buildings, notification of the results of the 'Floor Impact Sound Performance Test' and the measures taken based on these results before the use inspection of housing construction projects will be mandatory.

From July 17, project owners must notify prospective residents in writing or electronically of the floor impact sound performance test results submitted to the use inspection authority, and if the results fall below the standard, the measures taken in response to the recommendations of the use inspection authority, before the move-in date.

If the project owner fails to notify or provides false notification of the performance test results, a fine of 5 million KRW will be imposed.

◆Selection of Leading Districts in 1st Generation New Towns

The government will hold a public contest for leading districts targeting five 1st generation new towns: Goyang Ilsan, Seongnam Bundang, Bucheon Jungdong, Anyang Pyeongchon, and Gunpo Sanbon. After receiving proposals and evaluations, leading districts will be selected by November.

Leading districts are areas where redevelopment projects are prioritized, considering factors such as local residents' consent, urgency of residential environment improvement, necessity to revitalize urban functions, and potential for spreading exemplary cases.

The leading districts in the 1st generation new towns will be selected within the ranges of 8,000 households in Bundang, 6,000 households in Ilsan, 4,000 households in Pyeongchon, 4,000 households in Jungdong, and 4,000 households in Sanbon. Each local government of the 1st generation new towns will finalize and announce the contest guidelines, receive proposals for leading district selection in September, conduct evaluations and consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in October, and finally select the leading districts in November.