An ARC is preferred, it is not legally mandatory to sign a lease. You can use a valid passport alongside proof of employment or a school enrollment letter to prove your identity

Yes. If you hold an ARC or Gold Card, you must update your address via the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform within 30 days of moving to avoid fines

By Taiwanese law, the security deposit cannot exceed 2 months' rent

Apartment sizes are measured in ping instead of square meters or feet. 1 ping is roughly equal to 3.3 square meters (or 35.5 square feet), ping is the common property unit in Taiwan

Yes, the standard finder's fee is 0.5/1 months' rent paid by the tenant as a one-time fee

Taiwanese landlords are much more likely to rent to foreigners who can present the following documents to fast-track their decision-making process:

• Gold Cards
• Employment contracts
• Company guarantees
• Taiwanese Co-signer

After all, renting to overseas tenants can sometimes feel like more risks for them

For government assistance in Taiwan, you can dial 1990 directly to reach the official helpline

Garbage trucks in Taiwan don’t collect trash from outdoor bins — residents bring their garbage directly to the truck. When you hear the familiar music (usually Beethoven’s Für Elise or Maiden’s Prayer), that’s your cue to head downstairs and hand your trash bags to the sanitation staff

For general household waste, you must use government‑approved garbage bags (required in Taipei City and New Taipei City). These official bags are sold at all major convenience stores

If you prefer not to chase the garbage truck every day, consider renting in an apartment building that offers indoor garbage collection or 24‑hour trash rooms. This is the most convenient option for newcomers who want a hassle‑free experience