Taiwan housing costs hit 20-month high

台灣房屋成本創20個月新高

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s residential living costs rose to a 20-month high in September as higher utility bills, building management fees, and home repair costs outpaced slower rent increases.

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics on Tuesday reported that the consumer price index for housing rose 2.38% from a year earlier, the highest annual increase since January 2025. Water, electricity, and gas costs led the increase, rising 4.63%, followed by household management fees at 4.2% and residential maintenance costs at 3.77%.

Household goods prices also climbed 2.93% year over year in September, reversing declines recorded during much of 2025. Meanwhile, the rent index remained below 2% annual growth for the ninth consecutive month, suggesting that rental inflation has moderated even as other housing-related expenses continue to rise.

Tseng Ching-te, a project manager at Sinyi Realty, told UDN that the figures show rising residential costs extend beyond rent to include utilities, household goods, building management, and maintenance. Higher labor costs have contributed to rising management and repair expenses, while surging oil prices following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East have also driven up prices for petroleum-based goods, Tseng said.

The overall housing index followed a U-shaped trajectory, with annual growth falling to a low in July 2025 before recovering in 2026. The index rose from 1.87% in January to 2.38% in September, indicating renewed pressure on household budgets.

Building management fees have risen as residential communities face higher costs for security guards, cleaning staff, and other services, UDN reported. Older buildings also require more spending on elevator upgrades and equipment maintenance, adding to residents’ burden.

Tseng said some residential communities have changed property management companies in response to rising costs but retained existing security guards under new uniforms to maintain service continuity. He added that adjusting to new contractors can temporarily disrupt service quality even as communities seek to control expenses.