The first ever assessment in Shanghai was conducted by the Shanghai Quality and Technology Consultation Office and covered nearly 1,000 real estate enterprises.

Nearly 5,000 consumers who have bought apartments or houses received random interviews.

Including 36 items, the assessment found that the quality and service varied from "very satisfactory" to "very bad".

Customers mainly complained about bad sound insulation, cracked windows and doors, and leaking floors and walls. They were also displeased with the real estate enterprises who failed to present the final products in the condition they advertised or promised.

The index is expected to improve the real estate industry in the coming year.

(People's Daily December 31, 2002)