National Land Management Agency: Rising Rents Linked to Raw Material Price Hikes, Not Rental Subsidies

Central Message (CNA reporter Kao Hua-chien, Taipei, 18th) The National Land Management Agency (NLMA) of the Ministry of the Interior stated that according to the 2024 rental subsidy statistics, over 90% of tenants who renewed their leases had their rent remain unchanged, indicating that rent increases for tenants receiving subsidies are limited. However, due to recent international situations causing raw material prices to rise, the price index has also fluctuated, leading to an overall upward trend in the rental market, which is not caused by the rental subsidy policy. The NLMA stated in a press release today that to alleviate the burden on renters in the country, it has been promoting the "NT$30 Billion Central Government Expanded Rental Subsidy Project" since 2022, as approved by the Executive Yuan, expanding housing assistance to a total of 830,000 renting households. The NLMA said that landlords who rent their properties to tenants eligible for rental subsidies can enjoy tax incentives on property tax, land value tax, and comprehensive income tax if they are recognized by the local government as public welfare landlords. Regarding media reports of landlords setting different rental prices for tenants applying for rental subsidies, the NLMA pointed out that the Ministry of the Interior publishes rental market prices for all administrative districts every six months, which people can check on the Ministry of the Interior's real estate information platform before renting. Furthermore, according to the "Prohibited Clauses in Standard Residential Lease Contracts" established by the Ministry of the Interior's Department of Land Administration, landlords are not allowed to include clauses in the contract that restrict applications for rental subsidies or transfer increased tax burdens from the landlord to the tenant. Tenants should be aware of this when signing a contract. The NLMA stated that if a landlord prohibits a tenant from applying for a rental subsidy, the tenant can refuse and claim the clause is invalid. If the landlord then uses this as a bargaining chip to raise the rent or demand the tenant bear the increased tax burden, the tenant can file a complaint with the county or city government's consumer dispute mediation committee, or call the 1950 national consumer protection hotline to be transferred to the consumer service center of the respective county or city government. If the landlord fails to correct the issue, they can be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$300,000; if they still refuse to comply, the fine can be increased to between NT$50,000 and NT$500,000, with repeated penalties possible. The NLMA reminds people that in case of rental disputes, they can also call the "Residential Lease Dispute Consultation Hotline" (02-412-8518, ext. 2 then ext. 6) to learn how to defend their rights legally. Additionally, regarding the Kaohsiung New Town Phase III development project, environmental groups have questioned the three intensive reviews within 24 hours, suggesting it prevents proper professional review. The NLMA stated that the project is currently in the urban planning special task force's review and opinion collection stage. However, the project has been publicly exhibited according to law since last year, and the task force immediately began its review and has been continuously listening to opinions from relevant groups. The overall process is progressive and not rushed within a short period. The recent meeting schedule was for on-site inspections, listening to opinions, and clarifying disputes, and the procedures comply with regulations. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150518 Stand with facts; every donation you make is a force for protecting press freedom. Download the CNA "First-Hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.