9 tips to avoid scams in Taiwan while searching for a property

1. Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals

If you find a luxury apartment with a city view, modern furniture, and a suspiciously low price…

🧠 Congratulations, you’ve probably found a scam.

In Taiwan, pricing is surprisingly consistent within neighborhoods. So when something looks like:

• 30–50% cheaper than everything else
• way more “Instagram-ready” than nearby listings

👉 It’s usually bait.

💡 Real-life scam pattern:

• Scammer copies photos from Airbnb

• Posts on marketplace

• Claims “urgent relocation”

• Asks for deposit before viewing

2. Don’t wire money (like… ever)

If someone says:

“Please send deposit first, I’ll ship you the keys”

👉 🚩 Run. Fast.

No legitimate landlord in Taiwan will:

• ask for Western Union / crypto / overseas transfer
• refuse in-person meeting or video call

💡 Reality:

Even locals:

👉 never pay before seeing the place

3. Communicate smartly

When searching for a place, you’ll often move between platforms, messages, and calls. That’s normal, but it’s also where scammers try to take control of the conversation.

🧠 Start on trusted platforms

Using a platform like Taiwan Housing gives you a safer starting point:

• ✔ Listings are moderated
• ✔ Agents are verified (licence checked)
• ✔ You avoid many obvious scams from random social media posts

👉 It’s not 100% risk-free (nothing is), but it removes a lot of the noise.

⚠️ Be careful when moving to chat apps

At some point, conversations will naturally move to LINE, WhatsApp, or phone. That’s completely normal in Taiwan.

However, stay alert if:

• The person rushes you to leave the platform immediately
• The story becomes inconsistent after switching apps
• You’re asked to send money or sensitive information too early

👉 The platform didn’t become unsafe, the conversation did.

💡 Simple rule to stay safe

It’s okay to chat anywhere, as long as nothing important (money, contracts, decisions) happens too early.

If something feels off after switching to another app, don’t hesitate to pause or go back to safer ground.

🤝 When in doubt

If you're unsure about a contact or a listing, working with a verified agent can help filter out risky situations before they even reach you.

4. Meet in person (or at least virtually)

Taiwan rental market is:

⚡ fast, but not invisible

If someone:

• refuses video call
• says “I’m abroad”
• can’t show the property live

👉 You’re not renting an apartment.

You’re renting a PowerPoint presentation.

5. Inspect the property (this is where pros win)

Taiwan apartments can look great at first glance… until the humidity, mold, and plumbing say hello.

Conduct a thorough inspection of the property. Look for signs of fraud, like inconsistencies in its condition or documentation.

Water damages

🔍 Interior inspection

1. Walls and ceilings

• Look for stains: Brown or yellow stains on walls/ceilings suggest past leaks.
• Check for bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper – indicates moisture behind the surface.
• Touch walls: Damp or unusually cool spots can indicate trapped moisture.

2. Corners and baseboards

• Mold or mildew in corners, especially near windows, is a red flag.
• Warped or rotting baseboards show long-term exposure to water.

3. Ceiling tiles or plaster

In older apartments (especially "old-style" apartments), cracked plaster may be caused by recurring leaks.

🚽 Bathroom and kitchen

Check around sinks, toilets, and bathtubs for:

• Soft flooring
• Water stains or mold on tiles and walls
• Open under-sink cabinets: Feel for dampness or signs of rot.

🪟 Windows and air conditioning

• Look for mold or dark stains on window sills or frames.
• Check for condensation inside window panes – a sign of poor insulation or trapped moisture.
• AC drainage systems (especially in older buildings) may leak onto floors or walls.

🧱 Exterior and structure (if accessible)

• Cracks in the outer wall near windows/balconies could let water in during typhoons.
• Check the roof (for top-floor apartments) or ask about the condition of the rooftop waterproofing.

🛠️ Basements and Storage Rooms

• Musty smell = moisture buildup or lack of ventilation.
• Taiwan basements often have poor waterproofing; mold or standing water is a red flag.

💨 Ventilation and Mold Check

• Open cabinets and closets: smell for mold.
• Ask how often the property gets sunlight and airflow.
• Consider bringing a small humidity meter (or ask the owner for recent readings).

🧾 Questions to Ask the Agent/Landlord

• Has the unit ever had typhoon flooding or leaks?
• When was the last waterproofing done on the roof/balcony?
• Are there known problems with plumbing in the building?
• Is there a property management fund for maintenance?

🧑‍🔧 Optional: Hire a Professional

You can hire a building inspector (some bilingual) to perform a detailed structural and water damage check, especially for purchases. Cost ranges from NT$5,000–15,000.

🪳 How to check for cockroach problems

Cockroaches are relatively common in Taiwan due to the warm and humid climate. However, in a clean and well-maintained property, infestations are usually avoidable.

When inspecting a place:

• Look for cockroach traps or poison bait tucked away in corners, under sinks, or inside drawers. Their presence may indicate a current or past issue.
• Check dark and moist areas like behind the fridge, under the kitchen sink, or inside bathroom cabinets, these are favorite hiding spots.
• Open drawers and cabinets and look for droppings (tiny black specks), egg casings, or musty smells, which could be signs of activity.
• Inspect drains and floor traps (especially in bathrooms and kitchens) for signs of poor sealing, cockroaches can enter through plumbing in older buildings.

Don't hesitate to ask the landlord or agent directly if there have been any pest control treatments or recent sightings. It's better to be sure than to assume.

6. Check ownership (make sure you’re not buying from a random guy)

Before you even think about sending money or signing anything, make sure the person you're dealing with is actually… the legal owner of the property.

Yes, this sounds obvious. But in reality, some scams involve:

• People pretending to be the owner
• Subletters renting out a place they don’t own
• Fake agents with no legal authorization

👉 In Taiwan, the good news is: ownership can be verified.

🔍 How to check ownership (simple version)

You have 3 practical options:

1. Ask for proof directly

• Ask the landlord or agent for a copy of the property ownership document (房屋權狀)
• The name on the document should match the person you’re dealing with
• If it doesn’t match, ask why (family member? agency? power of attorney?)

👉 If they refuse or avoid the question: red flag.

2. Verify the agent’s license

• In Taiwan, real estate agents must have a broker certificate
• You can verify it on the official government website
• If the agent cannot provide it: walk away

👉 A legit agent will never hesitate to show credentials.

3. Use official land records (more advanced)

• Taiwan has public land registration records
• You can request an extract (土地或建物登記謄本)
• This shows the real owner, mortgages, and legal status

👉 This step is especially recommended if you’re buying, not just renting.

🤔 What if you’re renting?

You don’t need to go full detective mode, but still:

• Make sure the person has the right to rent the place
• If it’s a sublease, ask for written authorization from the owner
• Always sign a proper contract

💡 Pro tip

If you’re unsure, ask yourself one simple question:

“If something goes wrong, can I prove who I paid and why?”

If the answer is no… don’t proceed.

🤝 The easy way

If all this feels a bit overwhelming (it is), working with a trusted local agent helps a lot. They already verify ownership and documents before showing you properties.

Get help from a trusted agent

7. Trust your gut

Scammers rely on one thing:

⏱️ pressure

They’ll say:

• “Many people interested”
• “You must decide today”
• “Send deposit now”

👉 Your response:

“Cool, I’ll think about it.”

Key line:

If someone is rushing you, they’re not helping you, they’re pushing you.

8. Consult professionals

You don’t need to become a real estate expert overnight.

👉 That’s literally someone else’s job.

Work with licensed real estate agents or legal professionals who can guide you through the process and help identify potential scams. Not sure if a listing is legit?

👉 Get help from a trusted local agent

You can also verify on the website of the government if you're able to read traditional chinese :

1. Go first on the government website
2. Then click on "經紀人員證書(明)" (Broker certificate) in the menu
3. Once on the form page to check a licence, you have to fill few fields
   1. The name of the agent
   2. The certificate
   3. The verification code (Other fields are optionals)
4. Finally submit the form and if all the informations are filled correctly you should see the agent listed

9. Report suspicious activity

If you encounter a scam, report it to the website and local authorities to help prevent others from falling victim.

Reporting scams:

• helps other foreigners
• improves platforms
• makes Taiwan safer

Don’t just escape the scam…
help the next person avoid it too

Staying informed and cautious can help you navigate the real estate market safely!