VietNamNet Bridge – The General Department of Land Administration has refused to name land registration offices in Ha Noi and HCM City accused of making it difficult for residents to apply for land-use right books, also called red books.

Residents receive land use right books, also called red books, in Lang Thuong Ward, Dong Da District, Ha Noi. Apartment dwellers have faced undue difficulties in getting red books in Ha Noi and HCM City, according to a survey conducted last year.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said this on Wednesday on the sidelines of a monthly press conference.

The department and the Ministry of Construction inspected 19 projects providing 9,150 apartments late last year, Hoang Xuan Lich, deputy head of the administration, told the conference.

Only 24 per cent of apartment dwellers had red books at the time inspectors checked, he said.

"Really, it was not easy for apartment owners to get red books," Lich said.

Project owners sold apartments to residents before they had finished legal documentation, Lich said. The bad attitude of staff members made the red book application process more difficult. Some even asked for bribes from residents to shorten waiting periods.

Previously, Minister Nguyen Minh Quang said at a National Assembly question-and-answer session on Monday that land registration officers were exhibiting poor behaviour.

The ministry conducted inspections to bring the situation under control, Quang said.

VNS/VNN