So this is my last month in my current apartment, and when I first moved in the landlady collected three months’ rent, first month, last month, and one month deposit. She leaves a note with the month’s rent and utilities figure on the door on the first of each month, but she included the monthly fee this month like she always does, even though I already paid for this one. So, I’m just going to pay the utilities since that’s all I actually owe. I’m just wondering, in case it isn’t a mistake on her part and she really does want to charge me in spite of the deposit for this month, what can she do beyond coming around and shouting at me or something? Can I get evicted? Any way for me to stand up for myself legally?
She’ll probably refund your money before you leave. If you’re not sure, just call her to confirm.
she might be hopping you will stay another month? or that you will miss calculate and pay another month.
Well you can’t very well get convicted, you are moving out. The cash you paid was for the first month and a deposit, not for the last month. The way it works: you would pay the last month and get 2 months deposit back when you leave. It may be safer to withhold the last month and make sure you get some of your cash back. I’ve battled for that deposit, many landlords will find things to justify keeping it. Is there anything damaged in the apartment?
Yeah, she took two months deposit, not one. Unless you specifically bargained for it two months is standard.
Many landlords though will let you not pay the last month and take that from the deposit. Assuming everything is fine you’ll get the last month deposit back when you leave.
Just ask if she can take the second month deposit as payment for this month.
Her deposit system seems totally strange and not standard for Taiwanese landlords. I think just call her for clarification 
. Shouldn’t be a problem.
To ask for the last month’s rent at the beginning is certainly bizarre. Are you sure that this was not a misunderstanding ? What does the contract say ? If it’s in Chinese and you don’t understand it, ask a Taiwanese friend to help you. If indeed she meant two months deposit then fine. Two months deposit isn’t unusual.
Illegal (in Taipei), but not unusual.
Indeed. Landlord’s can’t legally ask for 3 months damage deposit, but I’ve heard of it happening from time to time. I suppose if someone really wants to rent a specific apartment he/she won’t rock the boat and point that out when signing a rental contract.
[quote]
Indeed. Landlord’s can’t legally ask for 3 months damage deposit, but I’ve heard of it happening from time to time. I suppose if someone really wants to rent a specific apartment he/she won’t rock the boat and point that out when signing a rental contract.[/quote]
It’s 2 months deposit, and that is standard practice everywhere in Taiwan.
Next time you r going to rent another apartment, the first day you get in, be wise taking pictures of it in case it contains something broken. Just buy the newspaper and show it along with the supposed to be broken i.e. door, window etc
This is a old trick to prevent scamms or abuse from the landlord. Obviusly don’t let him know you were taking these pictures.
[quote=“BRB”]Next time you r going to rent another apartment, the first day you get in, be wise taking pictures of it in case it contains something broken. Just buy the newspaper and show it along with the supposed to be broken i.e. door, window etc
This is a old trick to prevent scamms or abuse from the landlord. Obviusly don’t let him know you were taking these pictures. [/quote]
Actually you should advise the landlord that you’re taking the pictures. It is a good way for the landlord to prove that there was damage, if indeed there was. Trust works both ways, y’know.
[quote=“whitetiger”][quote]
Indeed. Landlord’s can’t legally ask for 3 months damage deposit, but I’ve heard of it happening from time to time. I suppose if someone really wants to rent a specific apartment he/she won’t rock the boat and point that out when signing a rental contract.[/quote]
It’s 2 months deposit, and that is standard practice everywhere in Taiwan.[/quote]
Um, yes…2 months deposit is standard practice here in Taiwan. A landlord asking for 3 months deposit (not including rent itself) is illegal, but also happens with some frequency.
She can’t evict you anyway because if you sign a standard (i.e. the printed one sold in all good stationery shops) contract you have the right to be a month in arrears on the rent. A landlord cannot take action for rent arrears until after one month. Why? Because you are paying rent in advance.