Benarkah Harga Kontrakan Akan Naik di 2027? — Apakah Harga Sewa Rumah Benar-Benar Akan Naik di 2027?

The Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) has confirmed that there are currently no plans to impose a new tax specifically targeting rental house owners in 2027. This statement came after the government's discussions on expanding the tax base for 2027 sparked various news reports about rented houses.

So, will rental prices go up?

Not necessarily.

And this is exactly where it becomes important to understand how tax and rental prices are actually related.

Rental house tax is actually nothing new

Many people may have only just heard about rental taxes after this issue became a hot topic.

In fact, income from renting out land and/or buildings has long been subject to Final Income Tax (PPh Final) of 10% of the gross rental value under the applicable regulations.

In other words, the discussion happening now doesn't mean the government has suddenly created a new tax for everyone who owns a rental house.

What's currently under discussion is how the tax base can be expanded and how compliance with existing tax obligations can be improved. The government is indeed discussing the direction of tax policy for 2027, including the potential from owning more than one property and the economic activity arising from such assets.

This distinction matters.

Because "there will be a new tax" and "an existing tax will receive more attention or be optimized" are two different things.

So, who actually pays the rental tax?

This is the part that often confuses both owners and tenants.

In principle, the tax relates to the income received by the owner or the party renting out the property, not an additional tax automatically charged to the tenant.

For the rental of land or buildings, the applicable Final Income Tax rate is 10% of the gross rental value. The withholding mechanism can differ depending on who the tenant is. If the tenant is a party appointed as a tax withholder, the tenant can withhold the tax. If the tenant is an individual who is not an appointed withholder, the tax on rental income can be paid directly by the party renting out the property.

So, if you rent a house from a private individual owner, that doesn't automatically mean you have to add 10% to the rental price just because there's a tax on that rental income.

However, there is one thing that still needs attention:

who ultimately bears the cost economically can be influenced by the price agreement between the owner and the tenant.

This is where the relationship between tax and rental prices becomes more interesting.

If the tax is borne by the owner, why could the rental price still go up?

Imagine an owner renting out their house for Rp30 million per year.

They then calculate all the costs required to maintain that property: tax, maintenance, repairs, security, and other expenses.

If the costs borne by the owner increase, there are several possibilities.

The owner could choose to keep the rental price the same and accept a smaller profit.

The owner could also look for ways to reduce other costs.

Or, when the next contract ends, the owner might consider raising the rental price.

However, raising the price isn't something that automatically happens just because there's a tax.

The owner still has to consider market conditions.

If the rental price in that area is around Rp30 million and suddenly a house is offered at Rp40 million with no improvement in facilities or location advantage, prospective tenants can simply choose another house.

This means rental prices are not determined by tax alone.

They are influenced by demand, location, house condition, facilities, maintenance costs, competition with other properties, and the market's ability to pay.

Not all rental houses will be affected in the same way

This is also important to understand.

Rental houses are not one uniform market.

Houses in the city center certainly have different characteristics from houses on the outskirts of the city.

Houses near industrial areas have different tenants from houses near campuses.

Likewise, houses with complete facilities and strategic locations will have different price considerations compared to simple houses in residential neighborhoods.

Because of this, even if a policy change affecting property owners' costs occurs at some point, its impact on rental prices will not always be the same everywhere.

An owner might raise the price.

The price might also stay the same because market competition doesn't allow for an increase.

Or the owner might choose to absorb part of the cost so the house remains attractive to prospective tenants.

So, don't immediately assume all rentals will increase in price in 2027.

As of now, there is no basis for reaching that conclusion.

What about tenants? Should they start worrying?

In our view, there's no need to panic.

If you're currently renting a house and your contract period is still ongoing, price changes usually don't happen abruptly in the middle of the rental period just because new news has come out.

What's more important is paying attention to the contents of your rental agreement.

How long is the rental period?

Has the price already been agreed for the full year?

What are the terms for renewal?

Is there a clause regarding changes to costs or taxes?

These things are far more important to know than simply following news headlines.

If your rental period is about to end, that's when you can start considering possible price changes during renewal negotiations.

If you're planning to rent in 2027, what should you do?

There's no need to rush into renting a house just because you're afraid prices will rise.

It's better to start with what you can actually control.

First, set your budget limit.

Don't just calculate the rental price. Include electricity, water, internet, transportation, neighborhood fees, parking, and other needs that may arise.

Second, compare several properties in the same area.

This way you'll know whether the offered price is truly reasonable or just looks cheap because of hidden additional costs.

Third, understand the contract before paying.

Especially regarding the rental period, deposit, renewal, damages, and terms in case of cost changes.

Fourth, don't make a decision just because you're afraid prices will rise.

If a house doesn't actually suit your needs, renting it out of fear of missing an opportunity could end up costing you money for an uncomfortable place to live for a full year.

What about rental house owners?

For owners, this issue can also serve as a reminder to start managing their property more properly.

Keep ownership documents safe.

Record rental income.

Calculate maintenance costs.

Understand the applicable tax obligations.

And equally important, create a clear rental agreement with tenants.

Good property management isn't just about getting the highest possible rental price.

What's actually being sought is a balance between a reasonable price, the right tenant, well-maintained property condition, and healthy long-term profit.

So, will rental prices rise in 2027?

The answer for now is:

not necessarily.

What we do know is that the government is indeed discussing the direction of 2027 tax policy and expanding the tax base. However, the DJP has clarified that there are currently no plans for a new tax specifically targeting rental house owners. Meanwhile, income from renting land and/or buildings already has its own Final Income Tax provisions.

So rather than immediately concluding that rental prices will definitely rise, it's better to look at the issue as a whole.

Rental prices ultimately still come back to many factors: market conditions, location, demand, property quality, owner's costs, and the agreement between owner and tenant.

Tax can be one factor. But it's not the only factor that determines a house's price.

And for those of you currently looking for a place to live, this might actually be the right time to start being more thorough.

Not because you should be afraid of rising prices.

But because the more you understand what you're actually paying for, the easier it becomes to find a place to live that truly fits your needs and ability.

Looking for a House to Rent?

Understanding market prices is the first step. Finding a house that truly fits your needs is the next step.

Mirailand helps you find property options based on location, needs, and budget, not just showing you whatever houses happen to be available.

If you're looking for a rental house in Semarang and its surrounding areas, tell Mirailand about your needs.

We'll help you find a more suitable option, so you don't have to spend time searching one by one.

Mirailand — helping you find the right place to call home.