The Ministry of Construction yesterday warned investors against buying commercial properties from developers who sell the units prior to completion and promise high investment return from rentals, a practice it said poses high risk.

The questionable practices include developers who claim they will lease commercial properties such as offices, retail shops or serviced apartments from buyers after completion.

Some even promise to find tenants on behalf of buyers and pay a fixed annual investment return after their purchase. The number of these risky deals has been rising, Xinhua news agency reported yesterday, citing an unnamed spokesman at the Ministry of Construction.

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