The Current Situation of the First Batch of Prefabricated Houses
The current situation of the first batch of prefabricated houses exhibits diverse characteristics, with a large number of houses in good safety conditions and some dilapidated houses in urgent need of renovation.
From an overall safety perspective, data from the national inspection and archiving completed by the housing and urban-rural development department in early 2026 shows that among the approximately 18.5 million existing prefabricated panel houses, 72% of the buildings are classified as Grade A and Grade B, indicating that most of the houses have safe structures and can continue to be used normally. These houses were mostly built in the 1960s and 1970s. Although they were designed with relatively low standards, they can still meet residential needs through regular maintenance (such as structural reinforcement, waterproofing treatment, and pipeline renewal). For example, some early-built prefabricated panel houses have had their service lives extended by 20-30 years after professional repairs, demonstrating the crucial role of maintenance in the durability of houses.
Dilapidated houses that require focused attention account for a relatively low proportion but have concentrated problems. Nationwide, less than 4% of the houses are classified as Grade D dilapidated houses (requiring immediate demolition), mainly concentrated in buildings built early, with obvious design flaws, or in a state of long-term disrepair. A more prominent issue lies with Grade C houses (partially dangerous but reinforcible), with approximately 48,000 households across the country. Although these houses do not meet the criteria for dilapidated houses, they have safety hazards such as building tilting, wall water seepage, and pipeline blockages, affecting the quality of life of residents. For example, in the Changcheng Jiaoyuan Community in Chengnan Sub-district and the Hechiyuan Community in Jishan Sub-district of Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, which are prefabricated panel communities built in the early 1990s, due to long-term disrepair, residents have a strong willingness for house renovation, reflecting the deficiencies of some houses in terms of functionality and comfort.
Policies and residents' demands are driving the renovation process. In response to the current situation of prefabricated panel houses, the housing and urban-rural development department has established a national inspection archive to provide a basis for classified disposal. For Grade A and Grade B houses, the focus is on maintaining safety through daily maintenance; for Grade C houses, local reinforcement or overall renovation will be carried out based on residents' wishes and financial conditions; and Grade D dilapidated houses will be prioritized for inclusion in demolition and reconstruction plans. At the same time, residents' demands for improving living quality (such as improving housing layouts, adding elevators, and optimizing supporting facilities) are becoming an important driving force for the renovation of prefabricated panel houses. Some regions have piloted the "original demolition and reconstruction" or "complete set renovation" models to balance safety needs and living experience.
In conclusion, the current situation of the first batch of prefabricated houses is characterized by "a relatively good safety foundation, prominent local problems, and urgent renovation demands." Differentiated strategies are needed to achieve the dual goals of safety assurance and improvement of living quality.
