TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Residents of apartment complexes in Taiwan are bracing for a double whammy of rising electricity bills and management fees following the recent electricity price hikes by Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) in April.
While the Ministry of Economic Affairs has claimed that 90% of domestic consumers will not be affected by the policy, the high maintenance costs and electricity usage of public facilities such as elevators, lighting, and pools could be a burden for complex apartment residents.
According to a property management company chairman, the electricity bill is paid through the management fee or directly apportioned to individual residents' electricity meters; however, the cost ultimately comes from the residents' pockets.
And according to real estate experts, the monthly management fees of apartment complexes have increased by more than 20% in the past two years.
In Taipei, management fees for new buildings are priced at NT＄130 to NT＄150 per 3.306 square meters, while in New Taipei, the cost is around NT＄90 to NT＄120.
A complex apartment chief of staff said they must review their electricity usage and may increase the management fees if the electricity bill has become a significant financial burden for the community.
To reduce electricity and management fees, experts suggest that residents manage electricity usage more efficiently and examine whether there is any waste in power-consuming equipment.
They also recommend taking improvement measures and changing usage habits.