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Housing Guide

Student Accommodation in Taiwan

Most students start in a university dorm, which is the cheapest choice, for example at National Taiwan University (NTU). Dorm places are limited, so plan a backup room off campus. Prices are in New Taiwan dollars (NT$).

Accommodation Options

Most students choose between a university dorm, a dorm run with the university, and a room off campus.

Accommodation TypeAverage CostProsCons
University dorms

Dorms run by the university

NT$7,900 to NT$12,900 a semester

NTU general dorms; two-person or four-person rooms

  • Cheapest choice
  • On or near campus
  • Furniture included
  • Places are limited
  • Shared rooms
  • You cannot choose your roommate
Prince House (NTU)

Dorms near NTU run by Prince Corp. with the university

NT$5,620 to NT$8,590 a month

Water and internet included

  • Single or twin rooms
  • Own bathroom
  • Air conditioner and fridge
  • Contract usually for one year
  • 2 months' rent as deposit
  • Electricity is extra
Off-campus room

A room or flat you rent yourself

NT$5,000 to NT$14,000 a month

Typical price for a single room in Taipei

  • More choice
  • Can be near campus
  • Available all year
  • You must check the landlord
  • Deposit up to 2 months' rent
  • Bills may be extra

Finding and Securing Housing

When you apply

  • Choose on-campus housing in your NTU application, if you want it.
  • At NTHU, new international graduate students apply for academic-year housing in late July.

About 1 month before the semester

  • NTU shares dorm results about one month before the semester starts.
  • If you get no dorm, start looking off campus.

Before signing the rental contract

  • Check the landlord and the contract before you sign.
  • Ask NTU's Student Safety Center for a safety check, if you study at NTU.

When you arrive

  • Check in after the earliest move-in date your dorm gives you.
  • Apply for your resident card (ARC) within 30 days of arrival.

Reliable Platforms

  • Your university's housing office

    The best place to start for dorms. NTU's is the Student Housing Service Division.

  • NTU Off-Campus Housing Safety Service

    NTU's Student Safety Center gives rental advice and checks the safety of homes with landlords.

Required Documents

For off-campus housing in Taiwan, you'll typically need to provide the following documents:

  • 1
    Your housing application

    At NTU, you choose on-campus housing in your admission application.

  • 2
    Landlord details

    For NTU's safety check, you need the landlord's name and phone number and the full address.

  • 3
    Deposit receipt

    Keep the receipt or transfer record for your deposit.

Costs and Key Points

Rent changes a lot by city. Taipei costs the most, and Kaohsiung is among the cheapest. Kaohsiung prices below are for National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST).

Regional Cost Comparison

Higher Cost Regions

  • Taipei (NTU)

    Off campus: NT$48,000 to NT$72,000 a semester

    Dorm: NT$7,900 to NT$12,900 a semester

  • Hsinchu (NTHU)

    Dorm: NT$6,370 to NT$27,800 a semester

Lower Cost Regions

  • Kaohsiung (NKUST)

    Off campus: NT$3,500 to NT$6,000 a month

    Dorm: NT$15,800 to NT$32,600 a year

  • Taichung

    Off campus: US$1,200 to US$1,500 for 6 months (US dollars)

    Dorm: US$400 to US$500 for 6 months (US dollars)

Additional Costs to Consider

  • Deposit

    By law, a home rental deposit cannot be more than two months' rent.

    Up to 2 months' rent

  • Electricity

    Many rentals and some dorms charge electricity on top of rent.

    Varies

  • Leaving Prince House early

    NTU's Prince House charges one month's rent if you leave the contract early, except at graduation or the end of an exchange.

    One month's rent

Location Considerations

  • Distance to campus

    Living close to campus saves time and travel costs.

  • Safety

    Check fire safety and other safety equipment before you sign.

  • Breaks

    Ask if you can stay in the dorm during winter and summer breaks, and what it costs.

Tips for Finding a Home

Tick the on-campus housing box when you apply to NTU; you cannot change it later.

Look at off-campus rooms too, because dorm places are limited.

Check that the landlord owns the home or has the owner's permission.

Do not pay a deposit of more than two months' rent.

Keep receipts for your deposit and rent.

At NTU, ask the Student Safety Center to check an off-campus home for safety.

Accommodation FAQs

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