So you have successfully booked your accommodation in Taipei from My Room Abroad, what’s next? Contact the landlord! You can find the landlord’s contact info under your booking record in your account on My Room Abroad.
When you contact the landlord, you should discuss the following topics:
- Arrange for your Check-In
- Signing the Rental Contract
- Paying the Security Deposit
- Paying the Rent and Utilities
Arrange for your Check-In
The landlord is not a hotel so you need to confirm with the landlord your check-in time and date and keep them updated. We recommend you confirm your check-in date and time with the landlord as soon as possible. If your flight is going to be delayed or you plan to arrive in Taiwan later than you had previously indicated to the landlord, then inform the landlord. Most landlords will not be awake at 12 a.m. to check you in to your room, but they may arrange for you to pick up your keys in a convenient location so you can let yourself in when you arrive.
Signing the Rental Contract
You will be required to enter into a rental contract for your room. The rental contract is intended to protect both the tenant and the landlord. Please make sure the landlord provides you with the rental contract in English. Read the rental contract and confirm you understand and agree to the terms before signing the contract. The tenant and landlord usually sign the rental contract at check-in, but you should discuss this with the landlord.
Paying the Security Deposit
You will need to pay a security deposit to the landlord at check-in. Most landlords require 1-2 months rent as security deposit. The landlord will let you know how to pay the security deposit and how the security deposit will be returned to you at the end of your stay. Generally, the security deposit is paid to the landlord (and returned to the tenant) in cash (Taiwan dollars) at check-in (and check-out). Some landlords also accept payment of the security deposit by international bank transfer or PayPal as long as the tenant pays for any transaction fees (which can be high for international transactions). Most landlords do not accept credit cards as a form of payment for the security deposit.
This means you will need to exchange or withdraw enough Taiwan dollars (NTD) to pay the security deposit before you meet the landlord for your check-in. You can exchange your home currency for NTD at the airport when you arrive. Otherwise, you will need to go to a commercial bank to make the exchange and not all commercial banks in Taiwan allow foreigners to exchange foreign currencies. It is also time consuming and more expensive.
You can also use your ATM or debit card to withdraw NTD from the ATMs in Taiwan (including the airport), but first check if your bank card permits you to withdraw money from foreign ATMs. Depending on which Taiwan bank you use to withdraw money, there may be an ATM fee per withdrawal (~200 NTD per withdrawal). Many Taipei Metro stations and convenience stores have Cathay United Bank ATM machines that do not charge ATM withdrawal or foreign transaction fees.
When you withdraw the money from the ATM, do not choose the immediate conversion option. Instead, defer the conversion and you will get a much better rate. You can still withdraw Taiwan dollars if you defer the conversion. Please also be aware that there are ATM withdrawal limits. In most cases, the maximum amount you can withdraw from the ATM is 10,000-20,000 NTD.
The security deposit should be returned to you when you check-out minus any deductions for damages you may have caused to the room or apartment. The landlord will also keep the security deposit if you breach the rental contract or try to terminate your rental contract early. You should review the rental contract and discuss with the landlord the circumstances where the security deposit will not be returned to you before you sign the rental contract.
Paying the Rent and Utilities
You should check with the landlord on how to pay the monthly rent and utilities. My Room Abroad will transfer to the landlord the first month rent (and any utilities) you paid when you booked the room, but you will need to pay the landlord directly any monthly rent and utilities after the first month. Most landlords only accept cash payments or local bank deposits. For local bank deposits, the landlord will ask you to deposit the rent payment in cash at a local bank designated by the landlord.
Some landlords also accept payment of rent and utilities by international bank transfer or PayPal as long as the tenant pays for any transaction fees (which can be high for international transactions). Most landlords do not accept credit cards as a form of payment for the rent or utilities.
If you have any questions or concerns about the check-in process, the rental contract, the security deposit or payment methods, then contact us at My Room Abroad and we will do our best to assist you.