A resident in one old building complained that when it rained, sewage swirled around apartments.
The upgrade project started in 2000 and was scheduled to be completed by 2015, but so far only 1 per cent of homes needing attention have been done.
The city has 982 old four- and five-storey residential quarters managed by the city authorities. It also has 173 residential quarters managed by the Ministry of National Defence.
Most of the structures were built from 1970-80 and need upgrading or re-building, according to the Department of Construction.
Tuan said all work had been given to investors, but only 11 projects had so far got underway. He blamed investors for the stagnation.
Typically, the Ha Noi Investment and Construction Joint-stock Company No 2 was responsible for upgrading the Van Chuong residential quarter in Dong Da District, but it has not carried out any work.
A resident from Van Chuong said that many houses leaked. "If there is rain for half an hour, sewage will rise up to the calf on people's legs," he said.
Director of the Van Chuong upgrade Nguyen Chi Sy said lack of temporary places of relocation to house residents slowed the work down.
Progress also halted after the Government issued instructions to stop the building of multi-storey residential quarters in central Ha Noi.
Deputy chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Van Khoi asked the departments of construction, planning and architecture, natural resources and environment to check all old residential quarters this month and decide if investors could continue their work.
"If investors do not meet the guidelines, the departments have the power to replace them," he said.
From now on, every month the city authority and relevant bodies would meet to resolve any outstanding issues, Khoi said.
VNS