Renting an Apartment in Taiwan: The 591 Guide for Newcomers
⚠️ Disclaimer: For general information only — not tax, financial, legal, or medical advice. Figures may be outdated or incorrect; tax rules change frequently. Verify important decisions with the CRA/IRS or a qualified professional (for health topics, a licensed healthcare provider). You use this information at your own risk.
The short answer
Taiwan law caps rental deposits at two months' rent (租賃住宅市場發展及管理條例, Article 7; Land Act Article 99). If a landlord demands three months, that is illegal — you can refuse the excess, or offset it against future rent. Standard move-in payment: first month's rent + 2 months' deposit.
How 591 works
- Filters that matter: 房東直租 (rent directly from landlord, no agent fee) vs. 仲介 (agent listings); 整層住家 (whole apartment), 獨立套房 (studio with private bathroom), 分租套房 (subdivided studio), 雅房 (room with shared bathroom).
- Watch for: listings marked 可租補 (eligible for the government's rental subsidy — a good sign the landlord declares the income, which usually means a cleaner contract).
- Scam check: if the photos look like a hotel and the price is 30% below market, it is probably bait. Never wire a deposit before seeing the place in person.
The deposit rule: 2 months, by law
Taiwan law caps rental deposits at two months' rent (租賃住宅市場發展及管理條例, Article 7; Land Act Article 99). If a landlord demands three months, that is illegal — you can refuse the excess, or offset it against future rent. Standard move-in payment: first month's rent + 2 months' deposit.
Before you sign
- 3-day review period: you are entitled to take the contract home and review it for at least 3 days (契約審閱期). Any landlord who rushes you is a red flag.
- Notarization (公證): strongly recommended. A notarized lease lets either side enforce payment or eviction directly through the courts without a full lawsuit (公證法 Article 13). It costs a small fee and takes half a day at a notary office (民間公證人).
- Check for 凶宅 (haunted/stigmatized properties): ask directly whether anyone has died unnaturally in the unit — landlords must disclose. There are also public 凶宅 lookup sites; worth a search on the address.
- Check for leaks (漏水): visit on a rainy day if possible. Look at ceilings, window frames, and the walls behind the bathroom.
- Utilities: confirm who pays 管理費 (building management fee), and how electricity is metered. Watch for landlords charging inflated per-kWh rates — electricity billing must follow Taipower's rates.
- Early termination (違約金): the convention is one month's rent if you break the lease early, but only what is written in the contract counts. Read that clause.
Dealing with 房東 (landlords)
- Get receipts for every payment, or have the landlord sign the contract's receipt section.
- Agent listings usually cost you half a month's rent as a commission (房東直租 avoids this).
- Keep all communication in writing (LINE messages count). If a dispute arises, the local government's 消費者服務中心 offers free mediation.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners rent without an ARC?
Some landlords accept passports, but most prefer an ARC or at least a long visa. Short-term options: Airbnb for the first month while you sort out documents.
What is 租屋補助 (rental subsidy)?
A government program (currently NT$3,000–8,000/month depending on city and eligibility) for qualifying renters. Your landlord must agree to declare the rental — ask before signing.
Who fixes a broken water heater?
Structural and equipment failures that are not your fault are the landlord's responsibility. Document everything with photos at move-in.
Sources
- 591 rental contract guidance: https://help.591.com.tw/content/51/100/tw/%E7%A7%9F%E5%B1%8B%E5%A5%91%E7%B4%84.html
- 591 signing checklist: https://www.591.com.tw/help-book13.html
- Rental Housing Market Development and Management Act (deposit cap, Article 7): https://law.moj.gov.tw/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=D0060125
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Disclaimer — please read. This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not tax, accounting, legal, financial, immigration, medical, dental, or health advice, and reading it does not create a professional or client relationship between you and Llandora. Tax and immigration rules change frequently and differ by country, province/state, and personal circumstances; figures, thresholds, and examples in this article may be outdated, incomplete, or incorrect, and may not apply to your situation. Always verify current rules with the official sources (CRA, IRS, IRCC, USCIS) and consult a licensed professional before making any decision. Content about health, medical, or dental topics is general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment — always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition. Llandora makes no warranty of any kind — express or implied — about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of this content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Llandora disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising from errors or omissions in this article or from any action taken or not taken in reliance on it, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential. You rely on this article entirely at your own risk.