Strict rules introduce regular tests, threaten 100,000-yuan penalty

Property owners whose buildings fail to pass Beijing's strict safety checks will soon face fines of up to 100,000 yuan, it was announced on Monday.

Under new regulations that come into effect on May 1, all public buildings will be subject to stringent quality tests, including an anti-earthquake evaluation, every five years.

Schools, hospitals, sports venues, libraries, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and airport terminals, as well as many others, will also receive checks every other year once they have exceed their "intended lifespan". Owners will be given a deadline to fix any problems and risk heavy penalties if they fail to do so.

The average lifespan of a building is 50 years, as long as the structure has not suffered natural or man-made damage, said Li Zhiqiang, a section chief with the Beijing housing commission's safety and facility management office.

"Most housing in the city hasn't undergone evaluations before, and it'll be the first time using new technology for the safety checks," he said, adding that property owners will be responsible for covering the cost, which is yet to be finalized.

The government's new building management measures also threaten to fine homeowners a maximum of 30,000 yuan for illegal structural changes that pose a serious risk to safety, such as demolishing load-bearing walls. Experts at major real estate agencies predict the regulations will prevent the illegal renovation of homes, which are often carried out by landlords so they can maximize space and make more profit from renters.

Chang Qing, a market analyst at Homelink in Beijing, told METRO that the number of homes with partitioned rooms - creating so-called "capsule apartments" - will be dramatically reduced, as owners will find it had to justify risking a "large fine for small profit".

New rules also state every property will get a "safety document", similar to a personal medical record, which will include detailed information about any renovations and damage.

The idea comes from a fresh concept of "full life circle administration", which has been popular in a couple of large cities around the world, said Zhang Nongke, deputy director of the housing commission. He explained that the lifespan of buildings can be divided into three phases: infancy, maturity and senility.

"Property management fees are both an expenditure and investment," he added.

Li Ye contributed to this story.