Find a real estate agency in Taiwan

Finding a home in Taiwan can feel overwhelming at first. Whether you’re a local resident looking to upgrade or an expatriate moving to a new city, the real estate landscape in Taiwan has its own rules, paperwork, and customs. That’s exactly where professional real estate agencies make a difference.

1.1. Expertise in Local Market and Regulations

A licensed real estate agency in Taiwan understands the subtle differences between cities and neighborhoods — from Taipei’s modern high-rise apartments to Tainan’s traditional houses or Kaohsiung’s spacious condos. Agencies know current rental prices, property trends, and legal regulations, which means you won’t overpay or sign an unbalanced lease. They can also explain details like tax responsibilities, agent fees, and building management rules that are often difficult for foreigners to interpret.

1.2. Protection for Tenants and Buyers

Agencies in Taiwan are registered under the Real Estate Brokering Management Act, which ensures they must provide transparent contracts and official receipts. If anything goes wrong — such as a dispute about the deposit or maintenance issues — you have an official intermediary who can mediate and protect your rights. Compared to renting directly from individuals through social media or classified ads, this legal protection is a strong reason to go through an agency.

1.3. Language Assistance for Expats

For foreigners, language is often the biggest barrier. Professional real estate agencies often have English-speaking agents or bilingual assistants who can explain lease terms clearly and translate documents when needed. Some agencies also offer help with utility setup, ARC registration address, or local banking introductions.

This support not only saves time but prevents misunderstandings — a common issue when negotiating directly with landlords who speak only Mandarin.

1.4. Access to Verified and Exclusive Properties

Many high-quality apartments and houses in Taiwan are only available through agencies. Landlords prefer dealing with verified agents to ensure reliable tenants and proper documentation. When you work with an agency, you get access to listings that are not always visible on public platforms.

On Taiwan Housing, all agencies are manually reviewed, and properties go through a moderation process before publication, ensuring you browse safe and genuine listings.

1.5. Saving Time and Avoiding Scams

Searching for housing online can be exhausting — duplicated listings, misleading photos, and fake ads are common problems. Agencies handle the filtering and scheduling of property visits, so you don’t waste time contacting dozens of owners.

For busy professionals or newcomers to Taiwan, using an agency isn’t just convenient — it’s a smart investment in peace of mind.

Choosing the right real estate agency is crucial whether you’re buying, renting, or investing in Taiwan. Here’s how to make the right decision.

2.1. Check Licensing and Reputation

In Taiwan, legitimate agencies are registered with a government-issued brokerage license. When viewing a property, you can ask the agent to show their business card with a license number. You can also look for agencies that display the Real Estate Brokerage Association logo. On Taiwan Housing, we verify every agency before activation — so you can contact them confidently.

2.2. Choose an Agency That Matches Your Needs

• For renters: Focus on agencies that handle apartment rentals and speak your language.
• For buyers or investors: Pick agencies that specialize in property sales and understand investment returns and ownership laws for foreigners.
• For landlords: Find agencies offering property management and tenant-screening services.

Each city in Taiwan has different market dynamics. In Taipei, agents often deal with condos and serviced apartments. In Tainan or Kaohsiung, you might find more family homes or local-style apartments. The best agency is one that knows your target area inside and out.

2.3. Evaluate Communication and Transparency

Good agencies reply quickly, explain fees clearly, and don’t pressure you into signing. They should provide you with a bilingual contract or a detailed explanation before you make any payment.

If you’re using Taiwan Housing, you can view the agency’s front page, see their logo, contact details, and available listings before reaching out — helping you choose transparent professionals.

2.4. Compare More Than One Agency

There’s no obligation to stick with the first agent you meet. It’s wise to contact two or three agencies to compare their listings and communication quality. Some might have better English service or more competitive pricing.

By using Taiwan Housing’s search filters, you can easily browse agencies by city (Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, etc.) and compare them side by side.

2.5. Look for Online Visibility and Reviews

Reputable agencies maintain professional websites, updated property listings, and positive client reviews. If an agency doesn’t have any online presence or uses only social media, be cautious.

Agencies listed on Taiwan Housing already benefit from better online exposure and SEO optimization, meaning they’re more established in the digital market — a sign of credibility.

3.1. The Role of the Real Estate Agent

A real estate agency acts as a middleman between landlords, tenants, and buyers. Agents help negotiate rent, purchase prices, and contract terms. In Taiwan, their commission is typically shared between the landlord and the tenant (for rentals) or between the buyer and the seller (for sales).

3.2. Commission Fees

• For rentals: Usually half a month’s rent from the tenant and half a month’s rent from the landlord.
• For purchases: Around 1–2% of the property price for each side.

These fees are regulated and must be clearly stated before you sign any document. A reliable agency never asks for full payment before a contract is signed.

3.3. Legal Documents

When renting or buying, agencies prepare the official contract in Chinese, sometimes with English translation. They also handle the deposit agreement and, for sales, the transfer of ownership process. Having a licensed agent ensures that all paperwork complies with Taiwan’s legal framework.

3.4. Agency vs. Property Platform

Taiwan Housing is not itself an agency — it’s a verified platform connecting you with multiple trusted agencies across Taiwan. This allows you to compare and choose professionals based on your needs.

3.5. The Moderation and Verification Process

Every agency on Taiwan Housing goes through a verification process before appearing online. This ensures that the contact information, licenses, and property listings are accurate. When you see an agency logo or name displayed, it means it’s been reviewed for authenticity.