Miaoli County Offers 'Proof of Legal Existing House' Certificate to Aid Old Home Renovations

Homeowners in Miaoli County, Taiwan, facing difficulties accessing government subsidies for reinforcing old houses due to a lack of building registration are finding a solution. The Miaoli County Government has introduced a process to issue a "Proof of Legal Existing House" certificate, enabling these residents to qualify for crucial renovation and seismic retrofitting funds.

Many older homes, predating modern registration systems, are at risk of being excluded from government support programs. The county's Industrial Development Bureau has been receiving numerous inquiries about this issue and is now guiding residents through the application for this certificate. The key requirement is demonstrating that the house legally existed before a specific cut-off date and has not undergone illegal modifications.

For properties in non-urban areas of Miaoli, the house generally must have existed before March 31, 1984. For buildings on non-farmland plots constructed before December 24, 1973, which have been used for residential purposes and not for agricultural or animal husbandry facilities, applications can also be considered. Applicants need to provide documents such as ID copies, land and cadastral maps, property tax records, and proof of residency.

County officials will conduct on-site inspections to verify the house's original residential function and main structure. Necessary repairs due to aging, like replacing roof panels or patching walls, are permissible as long as the primary beams and columns remain intact. This initiative aims to ensure that older, yet structurally sound, homes can be safely upgraded and preserved.