The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to introduce the one title deed for both land use rights and house ownership as of October 1 this year.

According to the revision, the ministry will be the only agency allowed to grant the certificates.

The new document would replace the current red and pink books for land-use and house ownership certificates.

The new document would replace the current red and pink books for land-use and house ownership certificates, Nguyen Van Duc, deputy minister, said.

There had been numerous complaints from the public about the complicated procedures that needed to be followed when buying land and property, the ministry said. It hoped the Land Law amendment would alleviate most of the problems.

Nguyen Cong Thinh, an architect, said: “The existence of so many certificates is confusing. Whenever land-owners want to change the way they use their land, they have to renew their books, facing a lengthy and frustrating administrative process.”

The deputy minister said the change in the Land Law would streamline the administrative procedures. “The best thing about this change is that landowners only need to come to one office to have their paperwork done,” Duc said. “The administrative procedures will be much less complicated.”

He added that existing certificates will still be valid after October 1.

“It is not necessary to remake the old certificates now. If it is required to replace all existing certificates, we will allow sufficient time for that to be done,” Duc added.

The ministry plans to publish detailed guidelines on the new Land Law in the next few days.

Newly established issuing offices in each district will take charge of granting new land certificates. In provinces where the issuing offices have not been established, the Peoples Committees will issue the new certificates.

Duc added: “The officials will play an important role in instructing people to get used to the new rule. They should explain that this is the last time we will change the Land Law regarding certificates as there have been many chances. Otherwise, people will not co-operate.” (MONRE)