• Application window: May 2026 to December 31, 2027 (first-come, first-served; may close early once NT$5B budget is exhausted).
• Target buildings: Legally registered residential buildings aged 30 years or older — divided into 'Walk-up Apartments (4F–6F)' and 'Townhouses (up to 6F)'.
• Maximum subsidy rate: 65% of actual verified costs; walk-up apartments can receive up to NT$9.6 million per building (elevator NT$4M + facade NT$3M + other items combined).
• Exterior facade subsidy: Up to NT$3 million for walk-up apartments; for townhouses, NT$1M (1–2F) / NT$2M (3–4F) / NT$3M (5–6F). Subsidy unit price capped at NT$3,500/m².
• 'Public before private' rule: Walk-up apartments must first apply for at least 3 common-area repairs (e.g. facade, roof) before claiming indoor renovation subsidies.
• Domestic building materials required: Exterior wall repair materials must use Taiwan-made brands — confirm material eligibility before selecting a contractor.
• Hua Tsai qualifies: Hua Tsai (Medusa Paint) is a Taiwan-made brand with ISO 14067 carbon footprint verification — meeting regulatory, durability, and ESG requirements simultaneously.

2026 Old House Rejuvenation Program: Complete Guide — NT$5B Subsidy Eligibility, Facade Repair Grants & 5-Step Application Process — Choose the Right Coating to Make Your Subsidy Last 15 Years

Introduction: The Government Is Funding Old House Renovation — and This Is the Biggest Program Yet

If you live in a walk-up apartment over 30 years old — worried about leaks every time it rains, occasionally seeing exterior tiles fall, or struggling with daily stair climbs due to no elevator — 2026 has handed you a rare opportunity.

Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior (National Land Management Agency) has launched the 'Old House Rejuvenation Program' (Lao Zhai Yan Shou) with a total budget of NT$5 billion. Applications open in May 2026, with subsidies covering up to 65% of actual costs and a maximum of NT$9.6 million per building. This is the largest old-building repair subsidy program Taiwan has ever offered, covering items including exterior facade renewal, roof waterproofing, elevator installation, and indoor piping upgrades.

The program runs on a first-come, first-served basis: once the NT$5 billion budget is used up, applications will close early. Consolidating neighbor consent and arranging structural assessments typically takes 1 to 2 months — homeowners with renovation needs should begin preparations immediately.

This guide is based on the latest official materials from Taiwan's Urban Renewal Portal, providing a complete breakdown of eligibility conditions, subsidy amounts, application steps, and why choosing the right exterior wall coating system is the key to maximizing the value of this subsidy.

1. What Is the Old House Rejuvenation Program? The Core Design in 3 Minutes

The 'Old House Rejuvenation Program' is a targeted repair subsidy launched by Taiwan's National Land Management Agency (Ministry of the Interior) for residential buildings aged 30 years or older. Its defining feature is a 'public spaces first, private spaces second' design philosophy.

The government's core objective is to improve structural safety and residential quality. Accordingly, applicants must first address shared-use elements — exterior walls, roofs, or elevator installation — before they can claim subsidies for individual indoor spaces. This ensures that subsidy resources benefit all residents of a building, rather than prioritizing individual owners' interior renovation preferences.

Program administration — receiving applications, reviewing submissions, and disbursing funds — is handled entirely by local city and county government urban renewal or building management offices. Applicants must apply to their local government, not directly to any central government agency.

Three Core Numbers

NT$5 billion sounds substantial, but with 5.16 million residential units aged 30+ across Taiwan, the budget could be exhausted quickly if applications flood in. Once the program opens, applicants should initiate the consent consolidation process immediately — do not wait until all details are finalized before starting document preparation.

2. Full Eligibility Analysis: Does Your Building Qualify?

To apply for the Old House Rejuvenation Program, applicants must simultaneously satisfy three conditions: 'building age and type,' 'resident identity,' and 'repair sequencing.' All three are required — none can be waived.

Condition 1: Building Aged 30+ Years and Specific Building Type

The program covers two main application types; qualifying under either one is sufficient:

• Walk-up Apartment Type (Type A): 4 to 6 storeys, with at least half the total floor area used as residential, AND at least 1 resident meeting the elderly or vulnerable identity criteria (aged 65+, low/middle-low income, or requiring Level 2+ long-term care).
• Townhouse Type (Type B): 6 storeys or under, with the entire building used as residential. All owners must be natural persons (not corporate entities).

Condition 2: Resident Identity Requirements

The applicant must not be a corporate legal entity. Walk-up apartments and townhouses have different identity thresholds:

• Walk-up Apartments: At least 1 resident in the building must meet the elderly or vulnerable identity criteria to qualify for the apartment type.
• Townhouses: No mandatory elderly or vulnerable resident requirement — eligibility is based solely on building age and residential use compliance.
• Bonus subsidy: For both types, if the building contains elderly or vulnerable residents, the indoor renovation subsidy cap is raised from NT$200,000 to NT$300,000 per unit.

Condition 3: 'Public Before Private' Repair Sequencing

• Walk-up Apartments: Must first apply for at least 3 common-area repair items before claiming indoor renovation subsidies.
• Townhouses: Must first apply for at least 1 outdoor repair item before claiming indoor renovation subsidies.
• Standalone indoor renovation applications are not permitted — this is the program's single most important constraint.

Buildings That Cannot Apply

• Buildings already entered into urban renewal proceedings or dangerous/aging building reconstruction applications.
• Buildings designated for demolition by local government (demolition permit already issued).
• Walk-up apartment buildings with a single owner holding the entire building.
• Buildings owned by corporate legal entities.
• Buildings used purely for commercial purposes (residential use ratio below the required threshold).

The key eligibility judgment concerns 'building type' and 'residential use ratio.' Many older mixed-use buildings (residential + commercial) may be ineligible for the apartment type if commercial floor area exceeds 50%. It is advisable to first confirm the designated use on the occupancy permit with your local building management authority.

3. Full Subsidy Amount Reference: How Much Can You Claim for Facade Renovation?

All subsidies under the Old House Rejuvenation Program are capped at 65% of actual costs. The tables below show the maximum subsidy amounts for each major item, to help homeowners plan their renovation budgets.

Walk-up Apartment Subsidy Items (8 items; at least 3 must be selected)

Walk-up Apartment Bonus Subsidies: Administration Fee and Structural Assessment Fee

• Structural assessment fee: Up to NT$15,000 for preliminary assessment; up to NT$400,000 for detailed assessment.
• Basic administration fee: NT$10,000 per building (professional coordination and management fee).
• Facade renovation bonus: Additional NT$50,000 per building in administration fee.
• Elevator installation bonus: Additional NT$50,000 per building in administration fee (cumulative with facade bonus — maximum additional NT$100,000).

Townhouse Subsidy Items (4 items; at least 1 must be selected)

Indoor Private-Space Subsidy (Applicable to Both Walk-up Apartments and Townhouses)

After completing common-area or outdoor repairs, applicants may additionally claim indoor subsidies:

• Standard households: Up to NT$200,000 per unit.
• Elderly/vulnerable households (containing residents aged 65+, low/middle-low income, or Level 2+ long-term care): Up to NT$300,000 per unit.
• Eligible items include: residential safety and accessibility improvements (grab bars, anti-slip, level-difference correction); water, electrical, and gas piping renewal; necessary interior restoration work associated with the above.

4. The 5-Step Application Process: From Consolidating Neighbors to Receiving Your Subsidy

Based on the official application process guidelines, the Old House Rejuvenation Program involves five steps. Starting early is strongly advised to avoid missing the application window due to insufficient consolidation time.

Step 1: Consolidate Resident Consent (approx. 1–2 months)

This is typically the most time-consuming stage of the entire process. Reach consensus with neighbors, designate a representative (or have the residents' committee act as representative), and complete the 'Application Consent Form' (requires signatures from all owners). If the apartment has no residents' committee, all residents can collectively designate a representative, or apply to the local government to have a building management representative assigned.

Step 2: Structural Assessment (fee subsidized)

Contact one of the 32 certified assessment institutions announced by the Ministry of the Interior to conduct a 'Building Structural Safety Performance Assessment.' Preliminary assessment fees are subsidized up to NT$15,000; detailed assessments up to NT$400,000. This step is mandatory — it cannot be skipped and is a prerequisite for the repair subsidy application.

Step 3: Submit Application

Prepare the project plan, assessment report, and consent form, then submit the application to the urban renewal or building management office of your city or county government. Applications are submitted by the designated representative or residents' committee — not individually by each resident.

Step 4: Approval, Construction, and Initial Disbursement

Construction may only begin after receiving formal approval from the local government. Upon approval, applicants may request the 'First Installment of Repair Subsidy' — up to 30% of the approved amount — plus the structural assessment fee, to reduce the burden of upfront out-of-pocket expenses. Construction must generally be completed within 1 year of approval (for elevator installations: within 1 year of applying for the occupancy permit). If completion is delayed, applicants may apply for an extension of up to 6 months, with a maximum of 2 extensions.

Step 5: Completion and Final Payment Claim

After construction is complete, submit construction records and receipts to the local government for verification. Once confirmed, the government disburses the remaining 70% of the subsidy balance.

Because the program is first-come, first-served, applicants should submit their applications as soon as consent is consolidated — do not wait until every detail is confirmed. Many counties and cities may receive a flood of applications soon after the program opens. The later you submit, the longer the review wait, and the higher the risk of missing the budget window.

5. How to Maximize the Facade Renovation Subsidy — Choosing the Right Coating System Is the Key

Among all the items covered by the Old House Rejuvenation Program, 'exterior facade renovation' (colloquially known as 'wall face-lifting') is the most visible to residents and delivers the most immediate impact. It is also one of the priority-approval items — applications that include facade renovation receive preferential consideration when the budget is limited.

However, whether you receive the subsidy is one question; how long the results last depends entirely on the materials used. Applying a low-cost flexible paint as a thin surface layer will see problems recur within 3 to 5 years — by which time the subsidy window will have long since closed, and the next renovation will be entirely self-funded. Choosing the right material is what makes this subsidy a one-time, lasting investment.

3 Exterior Wall Renovation Material Options

The three most common exterior facade renovation materials currently available in Taiwan are:

• Flexible Exterior Wall Paint: Lowest cost at approximately NT$1,500–2,500 per ping. Fast to apply, but effective weathering protection lasts only 3 to 5 years — it tends to powder and fade prematurely under Taiwan's high-UV, plum-rain conditions.
• Stone-Texture Coating (no-tile-removal method): Mid-range cost at approximately NT$3,500–6,000 per ping (including waterproofing base layer). High-weathering-resistance formulations provide 10 to 15 years of effective protection. The stone-finish aesthetic is clean, anti-soiling, weatherproof, and low-VOC — currently the highest value-for-money option for exterior facade renovation.
• Tile Removal and Re-Tiling: Highest cost at approximately NT$6,000–10,000+ per ping. Long construction period, significant noise, large volumes of construction waste. Note that the program's subsidy unit price cap is NT$3,500/m² — anything above this must be self-funded.

Why Stone-Texture Coating Is the Ideal Match for the Old House Rejuvenation Subsidy

Several factors make stone-texture coating the most suitable exterior wall material to pair with the Old House Rejuvenation subsidy:

• Cost fits within the subsidy cap: The program's unit price cap of NT$3,500/m² aligns well with the actual application cost of stone-texture coating, allowing homeowners to maximize subsidy coverage and minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
• Domestic materials requirement: The program explicitly requires Taiwan-made brand building materials. Hua Tsai (Medusa Paint) is a locally manufactured Taiwan brand that fully satisfies this requirement — no eligibility concerns for homeowners selecting Hua Tsai.
• No tile removal — less waste: Compared to full tile replacement, the no-tile-removal stone-texture coating method dramatically reduces construction waste, aligns with ESG sustainability principles, and generates far less construction noise and neighbor friction.
• One renovation that actually lasts: Combined with a complete waterproofing base layer, stone-texture coating delivers 10 to 15 years of effective protection — making this subsidy opportunity truly a once-and-done solution, rather than requiring costly self-funded re-renovation within a few years.

The subsidy only covers up to 65% of costs — the remaining 35% is self-funded. Choosing a lower-cost material to save money upfront seems economical, but its short service life means re-renovation costs will be entirely self-funded in just a few years. Viewed over the long term, stone-texture coating is the most cost-effective material to pair with the Old House Rejuvenation Program.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

A: Applications are expected to open in May 2026 and close on December 31, 2027. Applications must be submitted to the 'urban renewal or building management office of your local city or county government' — not to any central government agency. Contact information for local consultation windows is available on the Urban Renewal Portal's Old House Rejuvenation dedicated section, or by calling the program hotline at (02) 7701-9919.

A: Yes. An apartment without a residents' committee can apply by having all residents collectively reach consensus and designate a representative, or by applying to the local government to have a building management representative assigned. If a neighbor disagrees, the government's Old House Rejuvenation professional team can intervene to facilitate coordination. It is strongly recommended to begin the consent consolidation process as early as possible, as this is the most time-consuming step.

A: No. The Old House Rejuvenation Program focuses resources on 4 to 6-storey walk-up apartments and townhouses up to 6 storeys that typically lack management resources. Buildings of 7 storeys or more are not eligible. These buildings may instead apply for 'Urban Renewal Maintenance and Improvement Subsidies' through their local government.

A: No specific contractor is required. Homeowners may obtain quotes from contractors of their choosing. However, two key points must be observed: first, all materials must be 'Taiwan-made brand building materials' — confirm brand eligibility before purchasing; second, complete receipts must be retained for all expenditures, as subsidies are calculated against actual costs and missing documentation prevents reimbursement.

A: No full upfront payment is required. After receiving local government approval, applicants may request the 'First Installment of Repair Subsidy' — up to 30% of the approved amount — plus the structural assessment fee reimbursement, to ease the financial burden of early-stage costs. The remaining 70% is disbursed after construction completion and verification.

A: Omitting it is not recommended. The waterproofing base layer is the critical variable determining how long renovation results last. Applying only a topcoat for visual improvement without addressing the base-layer waterproofing typically results in blistering, delamination, and returning water infiltration within 2 to 3 years. The correct sequence is: crack repair → waterproofing primer → stone-texture main coat → weatherproof topcoat. Only a complete system delivers the full 10 to 15 years of effective protection.

A: Yes. The program's eligibility threshold is simply 'aged 30 years or older.' Buildings 40, 50, or 60 years old are fully eligible, provided they meet the building type and residential use ratio requirements and pass the structural safety assessment. If the structural assessment recommends demolition and reconstruction, the appropriate program would be the 'Dangerous and Aging Building Reconstruction' (Wei Lao Zhong Jian) subsidy — not the Old House Rejuvenation Program.

A: Any amount exceeding NT$3,500/m² must be paid by the homeowner — the subsidy does not cover the shortfall. This is another advantage of stone-texture coating: the no-tile-removal method typically keeps costs within the subsidy cap, whereas tile removal and re-tiling frequently exceeds the cap and requires substantially more self-funding.

A: According to the government's published criteria, the following factors increase priority review ranking: the building contains elderly or vulnerable residents; the existing exterior wall has spalling tiles and the applicant is applying for facade renovation; the applicant is applying for facade-mounted solar photovoltaic panels; the property will be offered as social rental housing; the townhouse is part of a row (3+ units) submitting a joint application for streetscape-wide improvement; the walk-up apartment application includes more than 4 common-area items, or the townhouse outdoor application includes more than 2 items. Applying for multiple items simultaneously increases the probability of priority approval.

A: In principle, the same repair item cannot receive duplicate subsidies. However, according to the official FAQ, if previously subsidized facilities have exceeded their useful life or become irreparably damaged, a new application under the Old House Rejuvenation Program may be submitted. It is advisable to consult your local government window to confirm eligibility for your specific situation before applying.

7. Why Choose Hua Tsai (Medusa Paint) for the Old House Rejuvenation Program?

The Old House Rejuvenation Program explicitly requires 'domestic-brand building materials' for exterior wall repair — a critical eligibility filter for both homeowners and contractors when selecting materials. Hua Tsai (Medusa Paint) has been deeply established in Taiwan's architectural coatings market for many years, fully satisfies the domestic brand requirement, and holds comprehensive certifications for quality, environmental performance, and weathering resistance.

7-1. Domestic Brand Compliance, Full ESG Certification

Hua Tsai coatings are manufactured in Taiwan, verified under ISO 14067 carbon footprint certification, awarded the Recycled Green Product Certification, and recognized with the 2025 Taiwan Excellence Award — a brand with concrete certifications across quality, environmental performance, and market credibility. Using Hua Tsai stone-texture coating for exterior facade renovation under the Old House Rejuvenation Program simultaneously satisfies domestic material regulatory requirements and advances ESG sustainability goals.

7-2. Stone-Texture Coating System: One Application, 15-Year Protection

Hua Tsai's stone-texture coating uses a high-weathering-resistance resin formulation with UV stabilizers, engineered to withstand the compound stresses of Taiwan's high-temperature, high-UV, and plum-rain environment. With a service life of 10 to 15 years or more, combined with Hua Tsai's inorganic waterproofing primer as a complete three-layer protection system (primer → stone-texture main coat → weatherproof topcoat), it fundamentally resolves the root causes of old-building water infiltration and facade spalling — not just cosmetic surface improvement.

The no-tile-removal method significantly reduces construction noise and waste, minimizes disruption to other residents, and is particularly well-suited for occupied walk-up apartment renovation projects. With multiple crystal-stone finish color options available, old buildings are transformed in both safety and aesthetics.

7-3. Comprehensive Technical Support — Peace of Mind for Subsidy Use

Hua Tsai provides full technical consultation for exterior wall renovation: pre-application site assessment and material selection advice, on-site technical guidance and construction documentation during the project, and post-completion warranty service with color-matched touch-up material management. When applying for the Old House Rejuvenation Program, homeowners can request material delivery records from their contractor as complete documentation for the subsidy reimbursement submission.

When selecting exterior wall renovation materials for the Old House Rejuvenation Program, the most important question is not simply 'can it be used?' — but 'how long will it last?' Once the NT$5 billion budget is exhausted, a comparable program may be a decade away. Choosing correctly this time is what makes the subsidy deliver generational value.

Contact Hua Tsai — Free Exterior Wall Renovation Consultation

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Phone ▏ +886-7-365-6297

Address ▏ No. 4, East 3rd Street, Nanzih Export Processing Zone, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Website ▏ https://en.medusa-paint.com.tw/

Line ▏ https://reurl.cc/MOaYGn

Further Reading

Further Reading: Taiwan Urban Renewal Portal — Old House Rejuvenation Program (Official)

Further Reading: 2026 Old House Renovation Subsidy Complete Guide (Business Weekly)

Further Reading: Hua Tsai Implements ESG — Wins 2025 Taiwan Excellence Award (Economic Daily News)

Further Reading: Hua Tsai Eco-Friendly Recycled Coating Recognized — Low-Carbon Sustainable Materials (Economic Daily News)