Vietnam proposes rent caps and early‑deposit rules for housing market

Experts in Vietnam have recommended that rental prices in Hanoi be limited to no more than 15 % of a household’s average monthly income, with a state mechanism to allow a 10 % profit margin for landlords. Current rental rates in the capital range from 8.5 million to 45 million VND per month depending on location and apartment size, putting pressure on middle‑ and low‑income renters.

The HoREA real‑estate association has urged lawmakers to amend the housing law to permit developers to collect an early deposit of up to 5 % of a project's value once the investment plan is approved. This would provide developers with working capital before a project is officially opened for sale, a step they argue is needed to offset large upfront land‑acquisition costs and to gauge market demand. The existing regulation limits deposits to 5 % only after a project meets certain conditions, while the broader 2023 law allows up to 30 % at later stages. The proposal has drawn both support for its potential to unlock financing and criticism over possible risks to home‑buyers.