Hello there,
All going well, I will relocate from the UK to Taiwan in 2026.
Do you know if Taiwanese landlords require references from landlords from the UK (or any other country of origin)? Are landlord references a thing at all for first time tenants in Taiwan?
Thank you very much in advance for your input.
Nope…
Find the place, look at it, if you like it and the rent is right, pay 2 months deposit, first month’s rent, and it’s yours.
Nobody does reference/background checks here. (Maybe there’s higher end properties that requires those, but I’ve yet to encounter them).
Just know tax evasion is a national sport here, meaning few landlords are paying taxes on those rent.
Wonderful. This is the answer I was hoping to read (I mean the first part). Thank you very much for your prompt response 
As stated, references or any kind of “application documents” for an apartment are rather unheard of in Taiwan. Mostly, you won’t even be asked for pay slips etc.
Just be aware that not all landlords are willing to rent to foreigners (some due to bad experiences, some due to prejudices and some because of general misinformation). And there are definitely some shady landlords out there who especially target foreigners because they don’t know how the local market works.
Some general tips: Don’t rent an apartment without viewing it in person first, don’t pay cash to “reserve” an apartment (even if the agent tells you that there are other people interested in it) and avoid rooftop additions (those are mostly illegal) unless you know what you’re getting into.
Thank you so much! I was aware of the issue but I appreciate the reminder. Thanks also for the tips. I would never, ever, under any circumstance anywhere in the world sign a tenancy agreement and move into a place without viewing it in person first. It shocks me that some people do that.
Nope but they may ask for a proof of employment