Hi, I am Chester, the owner of Walking tour team in central Taiwan.
I’ve walked a lot of foreign residents through apartment viewings in Taichung, and the same few things trip people up every time. Sharing in case it saves someone a wasted afternoon:
- Ask “does the landlord accept foreign tenants?” before you go. Many listings don’t say, and some landlords decline at the door.
- Under Taiwan’s standard residential lease, the deposit is capped at 2 months’ rent. On signing day you usually pay the deposit plus the first month’s rent.
- Bring your passport/ARC. The lease will be in Chinese, so read it with someone you trust before signing, especially the early-termination and repair clauses.
- Ask how electricity is billed. Landlords often bill it themselves per kWh, so ask the rate up front.
- Ask whether the management fee (管理費) is included in the rent.
- Photograph every wall and appliance on move-in day. It makes the deposit conversation at move-out much easier.
Most newcomers start in Xitun / 7th Redevelopment Zone, near Feng Chia, or along the MRT green line in Beitun, and each feels very different.
What surprised you most when you rented in Taichung? Anything you’d add?
Disclosure: I run TC TIME WALK Living, a licensed agent plus an interpreter for foreigners renting in Taichung: Expat & Student Rentals in Taiwan | TC TIME WALK Living
Happy to answer questions here either way.
regards
Chester