Most expatriates living in Taiwan rent their accommodation, and there is a fairly wide range of properties available to let. Rental prices are fairly steep in the centre of Taipei, but considerable cheaper in other areas.

Within Taipei, expats mostly live either in apartments or condominiums near the city centre, or houses in the suburbs surrounding the city, especially in Tienmu to the north, where there are a number of international schools. Other popular residential areas include Washington Heights and Yangminghan; it is possible to rent large houses with gardens in these areas but they are further away from the city centre, and problems of traffic congestion can result in lengthy commuting times.

For single expatriates, there are options to share basic accommodation at fairly low rental prices. Rooms are often advertised on noticeboards in Taipei, especially near the university.

Rental property is usually let unfurnished, but often includes air-conditioning. Heaters are not generally provided, although accommodation can be chilly in the winter months. Phone lines and broadband internet access are not provided as standard, but are often available in new apartment and condominium complexes.

Typical monthly rental prices for a three-bedroom apartment are as follows:

Centre of Taipei TWD50,000 - 80,000
Taipei residential suburb TWD25,000 - 35,000
Kaoshiung TWD7,000 - 10,000
Tainan TWD4,000 - 8,000

It is possible to rent a fully furnished room within an apartment in the centre of Taipei for around TWD4,000-8,000 per month, while a studio apartment is likely to cost about TWD10,000 - 15,000 per month.

When renting property in Taiwan, you will usually be asked to sign a one-year contract and pay a security deposit of two months' rent, along with one month's rent in advance. Some landlords may require you to have the lease co-signed by a Taiwan citizen who acts as guarantor.

Utilities are not normally included within the rent. You may be required to pay additional monthly or quarterly fees to cover the maintenance of communal areas of your apartment complex.