Taiwan (TW)
A safe, democratic, tech-forward island with excellent public healthcare, dense transit, world-class food culture, and a strong base for East Asia.
Renting in Taiwan
Full lifecycle: finding, moving in, during tenancy, leaving.
Taiwan has no dedicated Residential Tenancy Act — leases are governed by the Civil Code (民法, Articles 421–450), the Land Act (土地法) Article 99, and the Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act (租賃住宅市場發展及管理條例). Rentals move fast on 591.com.tw and Facebook groups. Foreigners can rent freely but landlords may hesitate without basic Mandarin, a local guarantor, or proof of stable income. Typical market rents (2026): Taipei city-centre 1BR NT$18,000–35,000/month; New Taipei City NT$12,000–22,000/month; Hsinchu NT$12,000–22,000/month; Taichung NT$8,000–16,000/month; Kaohsiung NT$8,000–16,000/month; Tainan NT$6,000–12,000/month. Building management fees (管理費) are typically additional: NT$1,000–5,000/month.
1. Finding a flat
- - ARC (original and copy)
- - Passport (original)
- - Employment contract or income proof (payslips, tax certificate)
- - Local phone number
- - 2 months deposit plus first month rent (in cash or bank transfer)
- - Guarantor details if the landlord requires one (a local guarantor with a Taiwan ID is preferred)
- - Visit in person or do a thorough video call before paying anything — never transfer a deposit without viewing the property.
- - Verify the landlord is the registered property owner: request the 建物登記謄本 (building registration) available at any land administration office (地政事務所) for NT$20 per sheet.
- - Check for: mould (especially in north-facing rooms, basements, and rooftop additions), water pressure, AC unit age, noise from adjacent units, and legal building status.
- - Confirm: whether cooking is permitted (many apartments prohibit open-flame cooking), pets policy, and address registration (戶籍登記) consent — critical for ARC renewal.
- - Management fee (管理費): confirm whether included in the stated rent or additional.
- - Ask to verify the electricity billing method — some landlords charge commercial rates (NT$6/kWh flat) instead of the residential Taipower tiered rate (NT$2.10–6.41/kWh). The residential rate is your legal right unless you agreed otherwise in writing.
- - If you cannot read Chinese: have the lease reviewed by a bilingual contact, the Legal Aid Foundation (法律扶助基金會), or a paid bilingual agent before signing.
ExpatCheapRent is a rental platform built for expats — worth a look alongside the local platforms above when you start your search in Taiwan.
2. Before move-in
Handover protocol
Conduct a detailed move-in inspection (交屋) with the landlord. Photograph every wall, floor, ceiling, appliance, window, bathroom fixture, and meter reading (electricity, water, gas). Record a video walkthrough. Document every pre-existing defect in a written inventory (現況確認書) signed by both parties and attached to the lease. Send all photos to the landlord via LINE or email immediately — the timestamp is your primary protection at deposit return time.
Deposit
Max: Land Act Article 99 sets a statutory maximum deposit of 2 months rent for residential leases. This applies to all standard residential tenancies. Some landlords may request 3 months for foreign tenants or furnished units, but this exceeds the legal cap and the excess can be offset against rent.
Rules: Governed by Land Act Article 99 and Civil Code principles — deposit is held as security against damage beyond normal wear and tear and unpaid obligations. The landlord cannot apply the deposit toward ordinary wear and tear (正常耗損) — only toward damage caused by the tenant's negligence or lease breach. The landlord must provide an itemised deduction list with supporting evidence before withholding any portion.
Return deadline: No specific statutory deadline in Taiwan's Civil Code. Standard practice is 7–30 days after move-out, final utility reconciliation, and key return. Specify an exact deadline (e.g., 14 days after handover) in the lease — this is the most effective protection. If the deposit is not returned within the agreed deadline, demand it in writing via LINE or email; escalate to the district mediation committee (調解委員會) or the Legal Aid Foundation if needed.
Alternatives: Some newer co-living spaces and serviced apartments use lower deposits (1 month) paired with higher monthly rates that include management services and utilities. Some landlords accept an employer guarantee letter in lieu of extra deposit months.
3. During your tenancy
Monthly utility bills
Frequency: Electricity: bimonthly (Taipower billing cycle). Water: bimonthly. Gas: monthly or bimonthly. Internet: monthly. Some landlords bundle utilities and charge a monthly average — always request copies of the original bills.
Dispute window: Raise any utility or repair dispute immediately after receiving the landlord's request — do not wait. Send all objections in writing (LINE message with read receipt is sufficient evidence).
- - Landlord charging a flat commercial electricity rate (NT$6/kWh) instead of the Taipower residential tiered scale without prior written agreement in the lease
- - No original bill copies provided — only verbal amounts demanded
- - Very high summer AC bills from old, low-efficiency units (check the unit energy rating before signing)
- - Landlord charging for repairs to pre-existing damage that was not documented at move-in
- - Illegal rooftop addition (頂加) or basement unit with no legal building registration — these addresses cannot be used for household registration (戶籍)
Repairs: Under Civil Code Article 429, the landlord is responsible for keeping the leased property in a usable condition — this covers major structural issues, essential appliances, and plumbing. The tenant is responsible for minor maintenance and keeping the property in good condition. For major repairs: notify the landlord in writing and allow a reasonable time (7–14 days typical). For urgent issues (burst pipe, no hot water): give 24 hours' written notice, then arrange the repair yourself if the landlord fails to respond — keep all receipts to claim reimbursement.
4. Moving out
Notice period: Fixed-term lease: early termination normally requires landlord consent. Penalty for early termination: typically 1 month rent as specified in the lease, or forfeiture of part of the deposit. Month-to-month (indefinite-term) lease: Civil Code Article 450 — either party may terminate with one full rental period's advance notice (i.e., 1 month's notice for a monthly tenancy). Always give notice in writing (LINE message or email with a timestamp).
Final handover: Clean the apartment thoroughly, photograph every room matching your move-in photos, return all keys, remote controls, access cards, and parking permits. Conduct final meter readings together with the landlord. Settle final utility bills — some bimonthly Taipower bills arrive after you vacate, so arrange online access or forwarding. Obtain a written confirmation (LINE message or email) from the landlord acknowledging receipt of keys and agreeing on the property's final condition.
Deposit return: The landlord must itemise any deductions with photos and receipts. Normal wear and tear (正常磨損) — paint scuffing, minor wall marks from furniture — cannot be charged to the tenant. If the landlord refuses to return the deposit without justification: first demand via written LINE or email message, then file a mediation request at the local district mediation committee (區公所調解委員會) — free and typically resolved within 30–60 days. If unresolved: civil lawsuit via Taiwan courts (simplified procedure for claims under NT$500,000). Legal Aid Foundation (法律扶助基金會): 412-888 for free legal consultation.
Your tenant rights
Tenant association: District Mediation Committees (區公所調解委員會): free civil dispute mediation at every district office — effective for deposit disputes, repair disagreements, and contract interpretation. Legal Aid Foundation (法律扶助基金會, laf.org.tw): free legal consultation and representation for income-qualifying residents, including ARC holders. Consumer Protection Commission (消費者保護委員會): handles unfair terms in standardised lease contracts. City housing bureaus (e.g., Taipei City Housing Affairs Office) offer arbitration services for local disputes.
Rent control: There is no rent control legislation in Taiwan. Landlords set rent freely and may increase it on lease renewal. Rent subsidies from central and city governments are available — however, the 2026 expanded subsidy programme (NT$30 billion annually, covering up to 750,000 households) is restricted to Republic of China citizens with household registration; foreign nationals holding an ARC are currently not eligible.
Eviction protection: Landlords cannot forcibly evict without a court order — lockouts, removal of belongings, or utility shutoffs by the landlord are illegal and constitute a civil tort. If facing illegal eviction: call 110 (police) immediately and document everything. If the landlord terminates for a valid reason (e.g., 2+ months' arrears under Civil Code Article 440), they must give written notice and allow a remedy period before applying for a court-ordered eviction.