'Quality homes' norm boosts property market

Upgraded national standards for residential projects, covering seven key aspects, take effect on May 1

SHANGHAI — China's property market is showing renewed signs of recovery, with both new home sales and secondhand transactions increasing, fueled in part by rising demand for high-quality housing spurred by newly introduced national standards for "quality homes".

Released by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the upgraded national standards for residential projects, which came into effect on May 1, cover seven aspects that include living environment, building space, structure, indoor environment and building equipment.

Among the most notable provisions are a minimum ceiling height of three meters for new residential buildings, mandatory elevators in structures with four or more floors, and enhanced sound insulation for walls and floors.