[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, you can verify the actual progress of a real estate project through four channels. First, official channels: Check the pre-sale license, construction license, and pre-sale fund supervision information publicly available from the local housing and urban-rural development department (housing management bureau) to confirm whether the project has obtained a pre-sale license and whether the pre-sale funds have been deposited into a supervised account. Second, on-site inspections: Regularly visit the project site to check the construction progress, paying attention to the completion of the main structure, exterior facade, and public facilities. Take photos as evidence and record the date. Third, public information: Use the enterprise credit information publicity system and the enforcement information disclosure platform to check the developer's operating status, equity changes, and information about enforcement and litigation to assess its financial risk. Fourth, contracts and registration: Verify the online signing and registration of the commercial housing sales contract to confirm whether the house has been successfully registered online and whether the purchase payment has been deposited into the pre-sale fund supervision account. According to regulations such as the "City Commercial Housing Pre-sale Management Measures", commercial housing pre-sales must obtain a pre-sale license, and pre-sale funds must be used exclusively for project construction. Therefore, conducting thorough inquiries, asking questions, and keeping records before purchasing a house can significantly reduce the risk of buying a half-finished project.

I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios

Buying a half-finished building is one of the biggest risks that home buyers worry about, often involving hundreds of thousands or even millions of yuan in purchase payments. There are four typical scenarios: first, the developer's capital chain is strained, and the project is suspended for a long time; second, the property sales are booming, but the pre-sale funds have not entered the supervision account and are misappropriated, making it impossible to continue construction; third, the developer is heavily indebted, and although the house has been registered online, it is difficult to continue with the follow-up work; fourth, although the project has not been suspended, the progress is significantly lagging and there are few construction workers. With high housing prices in and around Beijing and large purchase amounts, it is more effective to conduct pre-verification than to seek legal protection afterwards. Home buyers should thoroughly understand the project background before signing contracts and making payments.

II. Key points of contention

First, the implementation of the pre-sale license and the pre-sale fund supervision system. Second, whether the purchase money has actually entered the supervision account and whether it can be queried and verified. Third, the method of judging the developer's capital chain and external debt situation. Fourth, the protective role of online signing and filing and pre-registration. Fifth, the relief path that purchasers can take after the project is suspended. Sixth, the priority status and rights protection of purchasers when the developer enters bankruptcy proceedings.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Law Firm

When handling commercial housing disputes, Henglue Lawyers usually advise buyers to use the "Three-Step Verification Method" to assess project risks. The first step is to verify licenses and supervision. This involves checking whether the project has obtained a pre-sale license and a construction permit, and whether the purchase payment is required to be deposited into a pre-sale fund supervision account. This is the foundation for judging the project's compliance. The second step is to inspect the site and progress. This involves regularly visiting the site, taking photos, and recording dates to observe whether construction is continuous, whether construction personnel and equipment are normal. If construction is halted or progress is significantly abnormal, buyers should promptly assess the risks and suspend payments. The third step is to verify the developer's subject and debt. This involves using the Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, public disclosure of enforcement information, and retrieval of judgment documents to understand the developer's and its related parties' litigation, enforcement, and credit default records, and to evaluate their contractual performance. In addition, buyers should insist on online signing and filing, and retain all payment receipts. When necessary, they can request the developer to provide proof of fund supervision. It should be noted that any single channel may have limitations. Only by combining official information, on-site conditions, and the developer's credit can buyers more accurately identify the risk of unfinished projects. Once abnormalities are detected, it is often more beneficial to consult professional lawyers to evaluate and develop solutions in a timely manner than to pursue passive protection of rights after the fact.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

Action suggestions: 1. Before signing a contract, check the project's pre-sale license, construction license, and information on pre-sale fund supervision; 2. Regularly inspect the construction progress on-site and take photos as evidence, recording the dates and key stages of the project; 3. Verify the risks of the developer and its related parties through the enterprise credit information system and the enforcement information platform; 4. Insist on online signing and registration, and verify whether the purchase payment has been deposited into the supervision account; 5. Require that the promises made by the developer be included in the contract or preserved in written evidence; 6. If you notice signs of project suspension or abnormalities, consult a lawyer promptly and consider suspending payments or asserting your rights. For real estate transactions and contract disputes, you can refer to the relevant legal provisions and precedents.Property Sales and Purchases | Construction ProjectsFor services involving the developer's main body and equity issues, you can refer to the relevant information.Intellectual Property Protection | Corporate Legal CompliancePlate. Legal basis: The provisions on pre-sale licensing and supervision of pre-sale funds in the "Measures for the Administration of Pre-sale of Urban Commercial Housing" (amended in 2004), as well as the relevant provisions on contract performance in the "Civil Code of the People's Republic of China" (implemented on January 1, 2021). The specific application shall be subject to the currently effective laws, regulations and judicial rulings.

5. Henglu Law Firm's Reminder

First, check the pre-sale license and fund supervision, and then observe the progress on-site. Second, insist on online signing and filing. It's safer to transfer the payment to the supervision account. Third, the developer's involvement in litigation and being subject to enforcement is an important warning signal. Fourth, on-site photos and date records are the basis for protecting rights in the future. Fifth, if you find any abnormalities, consult a lawyer in time and don't wait until it's too late to remedy the situation. For risks related to commercial housing and unfinished buildings, you can seek help through legal channels.Property Sales and Purchases | Construction ProjectsThe service obtains an overall solution, which involves the combination of the developer's main body and equity interestsIntellectual Property Protection | Corporate Legal AffairsFor reference, please refer to the section on the recovery and enforcement of purchase payments.Creditor-debtor relations | Enforcement cases板块。

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can the pre-sale fund supervision deposits be traced?

You can try to check it. Many local housing and urban-rural development departments have established a supervision system for pre-sale funds of commercial housing, requiring pre-sale funds to be deposited into supervision accounts and disbursed according to the progress of the project. Buyers can check whether the purchase funds they have paid have entered the supervision account, and if necessary, consult the housing and urban-rural development department or apply for information disclosure. The implementation of the supervision account is an important basis for judging whether the project funds have been misappropriated.

Q2: How long does it take for a construction project to be considered a "half-finished project"?

There is no unified time standard in the law. In practice, it is generally believed that if a project is suspended for a long time, exceeds the reasonable construction period, and the developer has no clear plans for resuming work and funding arrangements, there is a risk of the project being left unfinished. Buyers don't need to obsess over the specific duration, but should pay more attention to the reasons for the suspension of work, the developer's financial situation, and the regulatory authorities' handling attitude, and evaluate the risks accordingly.

Q3: Can online signing and filing prevent the occurrence of unfinished projects?

It cannot be completely prevented, but it can provide certain protection. Online signing and filing can avoid the situation of "one house sold to two buyers" and clarify the transaction relationship, which is an important step in protecting the rights and interests of home buyers. However, online signing and filing do not solve the problems of project funds and construction, nor can they guarantee that the houses will be built and delivered. Therefore, in addition to online signing, attention should also be paid to the supervision of pre-sale funds, the developer's credit and the progress of the project.

Q4: If the developer runs out of money, what should buyers do?

The rights can be claimed according to different circumstances. If the project is suspended or the delivery is delayed, the buyer can claim the breach of contract penalty according to the contract and, if necessary, request to rescind the contract and return the purchase price and interest; if the developer enters the bankruptcy procedure, the buyer should promptly declare the creditor's rights and claim priority protection. Due to the issues of the priority of project payment, mortgage rights and the buyer's rights, it is recommended to consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible to evaluate the optimal relief path.

Q5: Is it safer to buy a pre-sale apartment or an existing apartment?

The risk of existing houses is relatively lower. Existing houses have been built, and you can inspect the quality of the house, the supporting facilities, and the property rights status in person. The delivery and certificate issuance are more guaranteed. The price of pre-sale houses may be more advantageous, but there are risks of construction delay, quality non-compliance, and project abandonment. If you choose pre-sale houses, you should focus on checking the pre-sale license, fund supervision, and the developer's credit rating, and insist on online signing and registration.

The above content is based on the judicial practice in the Beijing area. The facts of individual cases and the jurisdiction of the court may affect the conclusions. Welcome to consult Henglu Law Firm for specific cases.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, so as to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Legal services for real estate transactions·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and public adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.