Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seungro: "Free Legalization Assessments for 650 Buildings in Violation"

Architects visit residents' homes to conduct assessments

Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Seung-ro), has launched free, on-site preliminary consultations for owners of buildings in violation of regulations ahead of the enforcement of the Special Act on the Arrangement of Specific Buildings on December 17. Architects will visit residents' homes in person to assess whether the buildings can receive approval for use, a process commonly known as “legalization.”

Seongbuk-gu Office. Photo provided by Seongbuk-gu.

The special act allows small residential buildings in violation of regulations that were substantially completed before December 31, 2023, to receive approval for use. It will apply for 18 months, from its effective date through June 16, 2028. Eligible buildings include multi-family homes with a net floor area of no more than 85 square meters per household, detached houses with a total floor area of no more than 165 square meters, multi-unit houses with a total floor area of no more than 660 square meters, and buildings used as residences that are classified as neighborhood living facilities. To legalize a building, owners must pay an administrative fine equivalent to five installments of the enforcement fine.

The challenge is that the requirements for each building and the methods for calculating administrative fines are complex, making it difficult for owners to determine eligibility on their own. In response, the district has appointed local architects as expert advisers and arranged on-site consultations. When an application is received, an architect will visit the building and use a checklist to assess whether it qualifies under the special act and meets building standards, then provide the applicant with a report. The district plans to assist 650 sites, subject to its budget.

Applications will be accepted from October 21 through December 4 by phone (02-2241-2882), text message (010-4555-2241), email (lvsb@sb.go.kr), mail, or in person at the district office's Building Division. The district will assign architects in the order applications are received and notify applicants and architects of visit schedules by text message.

Those who want to make a quick preliminary check of eligibility before an on-site consultation can use the “Self-Assessment QR Code for Legalization” in the consultation notice on the Seongbuk-gu Office website (sb.go.kr). It provides information on whether the special act applies and the expected administrative fine. In-person consultations are available every Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the consultation room of the Building Division on the second floor of the district office.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, “I hope the enforcement of this special act will improve the lives of residents who have long faced difficulties exercising their property rights and maintaining stable housing because their buildings were classified as being in violation of regulations. Experts will visit in person and conduct thorough assessments so that not a single person misses this opportunity.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.