Rental subsidies are an important annual concern for most renters, with the "NT$30 billion Central Government Expanded Rental Subsidy Project" offering the broadest coverage and greatest flexibility in application. While the 2026 rental subsidy application process was on-demand and entirely online, in practice, errors in eligibility assessments and incomplete lease or payment documentation often led to requests for supplementary documents, lengthening the review and payment process. This article will outline key eligibility criteria, application deadlines, document preparation, calculation methods, and common obstacles based on the actual application process, helping you prepare all necessary documents before submission and reducing the risk of repeated document requests and delays.

The central government has expanded its rent subsidy program by 30 billion yuan | Application for rent subsidies

The application period for 2023 is from 9:00 AM on Thursday, January 1, 2023 to 5:00 PM on Thursday, December 31, 2023, on a walk-in basis. The smoothest online application process is to prepare all required documents at once: identity document, household registration information (depending on system requirements), a copy of the lease agreement, proof of rent payment (such as bank transfer details), and the cover of the bankbook used for deposits. The submission process can be completed by following the website instructions: verifying identity, filling in information, uploading documents, checking information, and completing the application. After submission, be sure to keep the receipt notification and case number, as they will be needed for subsequent document requests and progress tracking. The most common reason for contract rejection is inconsistencies in the tenant's name, rental address, rent, and lease term, or blurry images. Taking clear photos of the four corners, date, and signature area can significantly reduce the chance of needing to request additional documents.

(Image source: NT$30 billion central government-funded expanded rent subsidy program in 2016 )

👉 Online application for the NT$30 billion central government-funded expanded rent subsidy program (Fifteenth Year)

Eligibility for rental subsidies | Central government expands rental subsidy program by NT$30 billion

To determine eligibility for rental subsidies, it is recommended to first conduct a self-check in three areas: person, household, and finances.

• Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of China and have household registration in the country, and in principle, must be adults.
• Applicants must have actual rental records and provide a rental agreement. The applicant and their family members must not own any residential property.
• Financial: The thresholds for income and assets are determined based on the location of the rental property and the annual announcement standards.
• If you are a single young person, newly married with children, or economically/socially disadvantaged, your eligibility may affect the subsidy tier or lead to an increase. When applying, please check the boxes in the system and upload supporting documents.

Central government expands rent subsidy program by 30 billion yuan | Rental subsidies to be increased in 2026

In 2026 (Fifteenth Year), the program will be expanded and strengthened, with a greater focus on legal rental housing: applications will be accepted until the end of the year, and those who meet the criteria for bringing in existing tenants will not need to reapply (but changes to the lease will still require the submission of the latest lease), allowing already approved tenants to better continue receiving subsidies. At the same time, the policy will strengthen the review of "legal residences," as rooftop additions and failure to keep registration records may affect eligibility under the new system, while existing tenants will have a buffer period.

In addition, there will be a rental subsidy increase plan for married couples and families with children in 2026. For example, newlywed families can receive additional subsidies, and families with more children can receive additional subsidies and income standards can be relaxed. There will also be local subsidy plans in different counties and cities (such as Taipei, New Taipei and Kaohsiung), but most of them need to go through the central government's NT$30 billion project before they can receive local subsidies.

Rental subsidy calculation

Before formally submitting your application, conduct a preliminary calculation to determine which eligibility bracket you likely fall into and to check if you have filled in the correct information regarding family members, rental location, and identity details. The official website provides a "Claim Eligibility Review and Amount Calculation" tool; after entering your basic information, you will receive an estimated result. This calculation is for reference only; the actual assessment will be based on the local government's review and the information you uploaded. If the calculation shows discrepancies, first check if you have selected the correct family members, homeownership status, and rental location before deciding whether to submit your application.

👉 Central government expands rent subsidy program by NT$30 billion - Rental subsidy calculator

The central government has expanded its rent subsidy program by 30 billion yuan. (Rental subsidy payment timeline)

Rental subsidies are typically disbursed in installments, not immediately upon approval. For example, according to the Taipei City Urban Development Bureau's announcement regarding the January disbursement schedule for the "NT$30 billion Central Government Expanded Rental Subsidy for 2026," the Ministry of the Interior's Land Management Agency planned to disburse funds in installments on January 2nd, 9th, and 16th. The inclusion of old cases or the phased review of data may also cause delays. It is recommended to first check the progress to confirm approval, and then compare the disbursement timeline with the local announcement and bank's disbursement schedule. If account or document corrections are required, the disbursement will usually be postponed.

Rental subsidy not received

If you encounter a situation where funds haven't been deposited, don't rush to resubmit. It's recommended to check the progress on the application page first and confirm the following: (1) If the progress still shows "pending supplementary documents" or "pending review," complete the supplementary documents first and wait for the next batch of processing; (2) If the application has been approved and is awaiting disbursement, it may still be in the disbursement batch. Check the announcement date first; (3) If the account information is missing a code or is not the account holder's, it often leads to a refund or delay; (4) If the renewal, relocation, or rent change information is not updated, you will also be required to make corrections. If you still cannot confirm the bottleneck, first organize the case number, the last five digits of the account number, and the rental information, and then contact the person in charge for more efficient processing.

Rental subsidy progress inquiry

After submitting your application, it is recommended to check the status the next day to see if it has been successfully received and if you have obtained a case number. Afterward, check every 1 to 2 weeks to see if any requests for additional documents or approval results have been received. You can log in to view the status (Received, Under Review, Pending Additional Documents, Approved) and submit additional documents as instructed. If the submission screen freezes, first check the progress to confirm if your case already exists to avoid duplicate applications within the same year.

👉 Central Government's NT$30 Billion Expanded Rent Subsidy Program - Application Progress Inquiry

Rental subsidy renewal

The most important thing when renewing a lease is to "update the information if the lease has changed." When renewing a lease with someone else, take a photo of the new lease or renewal agreement and file it on file. Follow the instructions to submit a copy of the new lease or supporting documentation for the rent adjustment. If you move, the new rental address should be changed or re-applied for according to regulations. Note that since 2026, newly applied properties must meet the requirements for legal residence (having a property tax registration and keeping the registration record or having legal proof of ownership). For existing properties, it is also recommended to log in to confirm that the rental address, rent, and account information are correct to avoid affecting subsequent payments. Existing properties do not require an application; the following information will be automatically filled in:

1. Those who were approved for the 2015 fiscal year and had a record of receiving payments in August 2015.
2. Those who applied between September 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, and whose applications were approved.

Legal residence verification and eligibility check:

• Landlord (Tenant) Qualification Inquiry Section (Housing Regulations from 2016 onwards)

Cancellation of rental subsidy application

If you are terminating your lease, moving back home, or no longer eligible, it is advisable to cancel as early as possible to avoid overpayment or the need to return funds later. You can check the case status first: if it is still under review or awaiting supplementary documents, you can usually withdraw it according to the handler's instructions; if it has been approved or funds have been allocated, then follow the regulations to stop or correct the disbursement. Prepare the case number and change dates (such as the lease termination date or moving date) beforehand to expedite the handling of the issue.

Will landlords be investigated if I apply for rental subsidies?

This project has a review and verification mechanism, focusing on confirming the applicant's eligibility and the consistency of the lease facts and documents. Based on the online application approval, tax authorities may request documents from relevant agencies for investigation and tax assessment purposes, and the rent subsidy agency cannot refuse to provide lease agreement information. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare complete lease information, payment evidence, and basic property details from the outset to avoid being required to provide corrections later.

• Items for which online application for approval (including verification instructions from tax authorities)

Will landlords know about rental subsidies?

Institutionally, tenants do not need the landlord's consent to apply for a lease. However, since the lease agreement includes information about the landlord and the property, and new applications for housing must pass a legal residential property inspection starting in 2026, in practice, landlords may be passively informed if supplementary agreements or property reminders are required. It is recommended to focus on three things during communication:

1. Self-submission and document supplementation : The tenant handles the entire application and document supplementation process, so as not to cause any trouble for the landlord.
2. Rent payment will be made in accordance with the contract : the rent amount, payment and collection methods will remain as agreed in the original contract and will not be changed due to subsidies.
3. Landlords may enjoy tax benefits : If a property meets the criteria for a public interest landlord, the landlord may be entitled to relevant tax benefits (subject to the determination of the competent authority).

👉Understanding the impact of rental subsidies on landlords and frequently asked questions at a glance

Summary of Key Points and Actual Application Status of the 2026 Increased Rental Subsidy Program

The 2026 rental subsidy enhancement is a policy adjustment that expands the eligible recipients and subsidy tiers within the existing rental subsidy system. The overall application process and review framework remain structurally unchanged. In practice, applications are still processed in batches based on eligibility for rental subsidies, lease agreement details, payment documentation, and the progress of local government review. Approval and payment times may vary depending on the completeness of the documentation and the batch processing schedule. Overall, the policy enhancement broadens the scope of application, but the final subsidy results are still subject to the individual case review and announcement schedule.

🔍 Bonus screening

• Rental Subsidies 2026｜Landlord Tax Impact & Benefits Explained