Renting an Apartment in Taiwan: Complete Guide for Foreigners

How do I find an apartment in Taiwan?

The rental market in Taiwan is active but almost entirely in Chinese. Here are the main ways to find a place:

Online platforms

• 591.com.tw — The dominant rental listing site. Nearly every landlord posts here. The site is Chinese-only, but Google Translate works well enough to browse. Create a free account to contact landlords directly.
• Facebook groups — Search for "Apartments & Houses for Rent in Taipei," "Taipei Expat Housing," or city-specific groups like "Taichung Rentals." Listings are often in English and landlords in these groups tend to be foreigner-friendly.
• rent.591.com.tw — The rental-specific section of 591, where you can filter by district, MRT station, price range, and features.

Offline channels

• Real estate agents (仲介) — Agents can help you find places and negotiate, especially useful if you don't speak Chinese. They typically charge 0.5 to 1 month's rent as a commission fee.
• Word of mouth — Ask coworkers, classmates, or friends. Many good apartments never get listed online.
• University housing offices — If you're a student, your school likely has a housing assistance center with vetted listings.

Useful search tips on 591

• Filter by MRT station to keep your commute short
• Set your budget range to avoid wasting time
• Search "可養寵物" for pet-friendly listings
• Search "可開伙" if you want to cook (some landlords prohibit it)
• Listings with photos of the actual unit (not just floor plans) are more trustworthy

Average monthly rent (2026 estimates)

Rent outside of Taipei is generally 30–50% cheaper for comparable space.

What types of housing are available?

Taiwan has specific housing categories you'll see in every listing:

Room types

• 套房 (tào fáng) — A self-contained studio with its own bathroom and usually a small kitchen area. This is the most common option for single expats. Sizes range from 5 to 15 ping (16–50 sqm).
• 雅房 (yǎ fáng) — A room in a shared apartment with a shared bathroom. The cheapest option, starting from NT$4,000–6,000/month in Taipei. Good for students on a tight budget.
• 整層住家 (zhěng céng zhù jiā) — A full apartment or floor. Best for couples or families who want their own kitchen, living room, and one or more bedrooms.

Building types

• 公寓 (gōng yù) — Walk-up apartment, typically 4–5 floors with no elevator. Older buildings (built in the 1970s–1990s) but often in great locations. Cheaper rent because of the stairs.
• 大樓 (dà lóu) — High-rise building with elevator, lobby security, and management. May include shared amenities like a gym, rooftop, or package room. Higher rent plus a monthly management fee.
• 透天厝 (tòu tiān cuò) — Townhouse, more common outside of Taipei. Multiple floors, often with rooftop space.

Furnished vs. unfurnished

Most rentals in Taiwan come at least partially furnished. A typical furnished studio includes a bed, desk, wardrobe, AC unit, and water heater. "Full apartment" rentals may come empty — always confirm what's included before signing.

What should I check before signing a lease?

Always visit the apartment in person. Photos can be heavily edited or outdated. Here's your inspection checklist:

Physical condition

• Water pressure — turn on the faucet and shower to test
• Air conditioning — turn it on and check that it cools properly
• Hot water — run it for a few minutes (some older heaters take time)
• Walls and ceiling — look for mold, water stains, or cracks (especially near windows)
• Window screens — mosquitoes are a real problem in Taiwan
• Locks — make sure all doors and windows lock securely
• Electrical outlets — check that there are enough and they all work

Building and neighborhood

• Noise levels — visit at different times if possible (evening traffic, nearby temples, night markets)
• Garbage collection — Taiwan has no curbside pickup; you must bring trash to the garbage truck at specific times (usually 5–6 PM), or your building may have a collection room
• Laundry — many buildings have shared coin-operated machines on the rooftop; ask if there's space for your own machine
• Parking — if you have a scooter or bicycle, check if there's parking space

Questions to ask the landlord

• Is internet included? If not, can I set up my own?
• Are there any rules about guests or overnight visitors?
• Who do I contact for repairs (leaks, AC problems, etc.)?
• Can I hang laundry on the balcony? (some buildings prohibit this)
• How is garbage handled in this building?

Verify the landlord

• Ask to see the property ownership certificate (房屋所有權狀) or a recent property tax bill
• Make sure the person you're signing with is the actual owner or has written authorization
• If using an agent, verify they are licensed

Document everything

Take photos and video of the entire apartment before moving in. Note any existing damage — scratches on floors, stains on walls, broken fixtures. Share these with the landlord in writing (LINE message or email) so there's a record when you move out.

How much is the deposit?

Legal limits

Under the Land Act (土地法) Article 99, the maximum deposit a landlord can charge is 2 months' rent. Any deposit beyond this amount is legally unenforceable and can be applied toward future rent payments.

What to expect

• Most landlords charge exactly 2 months' rent as a deposit
• Some landlords of cheaper rooms may only ask for 1 month
• You also typically pay the first month's rent upfront, so be prepared for 3 months' rent total at move-in

Protecting your deposit

• Always pay by bank transfer so you have a transaction record
• Get a written receipt if you pay cash
• The deposit should be stated clearly in your lease contract
• When you move out, the landlord inspects the apartment and deducts for any damages beyond normal wear and tear
• Normal wear and tear (walls fading, minor floor scuffs) is NOT a valid deduction — this is a common dispute
• If the landlord withholds your deposit unfairly, you can file a complaint with your local government's consumer protection office (消費者保護官)

What should the lease contract include?

Use the government standard template

The Ministry of Interior (內政部) publishes a standard rental contract template (住宅租賃定型化契約). You can download it from the Ministry's website. Using this template protects both parties and courts are more likely to enforce its terms.

Key terms to verify

Language considerations

• If you can get a bilingual (English/Chinese) contract, that's ideal
• However, the Chinese version is legally binding in Taiwan courts
• If the contract is only in Chinese, have a trusted friend or professional review it before you sign
• Take a photo of every page of the signed contract for your records

Watch for these red flags

• Landlord refuses to use a written contract
• Contract is handwritten on a single sheet of paper with vague terms
• Landlord asks for more than 2 months deposit
• No clause about deposit return conditions
• Landlord insists on cash-only payments with no receipts

How do I pay rent and utilities?

Rent payments

• Bank transfer — The most common and safest method. Set up a monthly automatic transfer to your landlord's account.
• Cash — Some landlords prefer cash. Always get a signed receipt (收據) with the date, amount, and landlord's signature.
• LINE Pay or other e-payments — Increasingly accepted but not standard.

Electricity

There are two common arrangements:

• Separate meter — You get your own Taiwan Power (台電) bill. You pay the actual government rate, which is tiered (the more you use, the higher the rate). A typical studio costs NT$500–2,000/month depending on AC usage.
• Included in rent at a fixed rate — The landlord charges per kilowatt-hour, often NT$5–6/kWh. By law, the landlord cannot charge more than the Taiwan Power rate. If your landlord charges significantly above the published rate, this is a violation.

Water

• Usually very cheap — around NT$100–200/month for one person
• Often included in rent or split among tenants in the building
• Taiwan's water is not safe to drink from the tap; most people use filtered water or buy bottled water

Gas

• Natural gas (天然氣) — Piped into the building, billed monthly. Common in newer buildings.
• LPG tank (桶裝瓦斯) — Delivered propane tanks, common in older buildings. You call for a replacement when it runs out (about every 1–3 months).
• Many studios don't have a stove at all; tenants use electric hot plates or eat out.

Internet

• If not provided by the landlord, set up your own with Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信), Taiwan Mobile, or other providers
• Plans start around NT$500–800/month for 100–300 Mbps fiber
• Installation usually takes 1–2 weeks; you'll need your ARC and lease contract

Management fee (管理費)

• Applies to 大樓 (high-rise) buildings with a management company
• Typically NT$1,000–3,000/month, sometimes more for luxury buildings
• Covers building security, cleaning, elevator maintenance, and shared utilities
• Confirm whether the landlord or tenant pays this — it should be in the contract

What are common scams and issues to watch out for?

Fake listings

If a listing looks too good to be true — great location, low price, brand new renovation — it probably is. Scammers post attractive fake listings to collect personal information or deposits. Never pay any money before visiting in person and verifying the landlord's identity.

Illegal partitioning (隔間套房)

Some landlords illegally subdivide apartments into tiny rooms to maximize rental income. These may violate fire codes (no fire escape, blocked exits, flammable partition walls). Check that your unit has proper fire safety: a smoke detector, a clear escape route, and legal building use certification.

Electricity overcharging

Some landlords charge NT$6–8 per kWh when the actual Taiwan Power rate is much lower (around NT$2.5–4.5/kWh depending on tier). This is the single most common landlord-tenant dispute. You have the right to pay only the Taiwan Power rate. Check your contract and the current published rates.

Deposit disputes

Landlords may try to deduct from your deposit for normal wear and tear — faded walls, minor floor wear, or aging appliances. Under the standard contract template, the landlord cannot deduct for normal deterioration over time. Document the condition of the apartment at move-in and move-out to protect yourself.

Unofficial "extra fees"

• "Key money" or "thank you money" — Not standard in Taiwan. You should only pay rent, deposit, and agent commission (if applicable).
• Cleaning fees at move-out — Only valid if the apartment is left excessively dirty, not for routine cleaning.
• Contract notarization fees — The landlord sometimes asks the tenant to split this. It's negotiable.

No contract or verbal-only agreement

Never rent without a written contract. Even if the landlord seems trustworthy, a verbal agreement gives you no legal protection. You need a signed contract to register your address, and an address is required for many official processes in Taiwan.

Can I get a rent subsidy as a foreigner?

Yes, foreigners can apply if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Who qualifies

• You hold a valid ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) or APRC (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate)
• Your household income falls below the local threshold (varies by city — for Taipei, roughly NT$56,046/person/month as of 2026)
• You are not already living in government-subsidized housing
• You do not own property in Taiwan

How to apply

1. Check your eligibility on the Ministry of Interior's 300 Billion Rental Subsidy Program website (300億元中央擴大租金補貼)
2. Prepare documents: ARC, lease contract, bank account, income proof
3. Apply online or at your local district office (區公所)
4. If approved, the subsidy is deposited directly into your bank account each month

Subsidy amounts (approximate)

Amounts depend on your age, income level, and family situation. Young adults (under 35) and families with children receive higher amounts.

Important notes

• Your landlord does NOT need to agree or even be notified about your application
• The landlord's tax obligation does not increase because of the subsidy (the government adjusted the tax rules to remove this barrier)
• Applications are open year-round (rolling basis) since the program expansion
• Processing typically takes 1–2 months

If you're paying rent in Taiwan and hold an ARC, it's worth checking if you qualify — the subsidy can meaningfully reduce your housing costs.