室內設計地圖Can You Decorate a Rental? Boundaries of Rental Renovation, Landlord Consent, and Restoration to Original Condition
For a rental home, you can make movable, non-damaging arrangements; for fixed work such as partitions, plumbing and electrical work, and ceilings, you should first obtain written consent from the landlord. Under Article 431 of the Taiwan Civil Code, facilities added by the tenant may be removed at the end of the lease, but the property must be restored to its original condition; for beneficial expenses of renovation, only when the landlord knew and did not object may the tenant request reimbursement of the existing increase in value upon termination of the lease. Writing the permitted scope of changes, the method of restoration, and the allocation of costs into the lease is the best way to avoid disputes at move-out. This is a neutral summary, not legal advice.
What Can You Do Yourself vs. What Requires Landlord Consent? Comparison Table
Whether you can 'renovate' a rental depends on whether the changes are fixed or alter the original condition. The following is a neutral summary; actual terms are subject to the lease agreement and landlord consent:
| Type | Common Items | General Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Movable / Non-destructive | Furniture, curtains, carpets, no-nail shelves, adhesive hooks, removable wall stickers | Less controversial; can be removed or restored at move-out |
| Semi-fixed | Nailing pictures to walls, drilling for installation, replacing light fixtures | Recommended to obtain prior consent; be mindful of restoration |
| Fixed / Structural changes | Modifying partitions, plumbing, ceilings, flooring, built-in cabinets, altering bathrooms | Usually requires landlord's written consent and may involve restoration obligations |
The above is a neutral information summary, not legal advice; fixed projects may also involve interior decoration regulations (see our page 'Interior Decoration Process and Reporting').
Rental renovation, restoration at lease termination, and security deposits: what do the Taiwan Civil Code and the Taiwan Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act provide?
The rights and obligations for renovating a rental home are mainly governed by the lease section of the Taiwan Civil Code and the Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act of Taiwan (amended on 8 February 2023). The following summarizes the provisions related to renovation article by article; the official text is based on the announcement in the Laws and Regulations Database of Taiwan:
| Situation | Provision | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities added by the tenant | Fixtures or installations added by the tenant may be removed, but the leased property must be restored to its original condition | Article 431, paragraph 2, of the Taiwan Civil Code |
| Whether renovation costs can be reimbursed by the landlord | If the tenant incurs beneficial expenses that increase the value of the leased property, and the landlord knew of them without expressing objection, the landlord shall reimburse them upon termination of the lease relationship, but only up to the existing increase in value | Article 431, paragraph 1, of the Taiwan Civil Code |
| Changes caused by normal use | The tenant shall keep the leased property with the care of a prudent manager; the tenant is not liable for damages for changes or damage caused by use in accordance with the agreed method or the nature of the property | Article 432 of the Taiwan Civil Code |
| Who is responsible for repairs | Unless otherwise agreed in the contract or otherwise customary, repairs are borne by the landlord; the landlord shall explain before signing the contract the items, scope, and contact information for repairs for which the landlord is responsible; if the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable period set by the tenant, the tenant may repair the property and request reimbursement of the cost or deduct it from rent | Articles 429 and 430 of the Taiwan Civil Code; Article 8 of the Taiwan Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act |
| Tenant damages property and does not repair | If the tenant damages the rental housing or ancillary equipment and does not repair it or provide equivalent compensation, the landlord may terminate the lease early and shall give written notice 30 days before termination | Article 10 of the Taiwan Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act |
| Security deposit cap and return | The security deposit may not exceed 2 months of rent; when the lease ends and the tenant returns the housing and settles debts, the landlord shall return the security deposit or the balance after offsetting debts | Article 7 of the Taiwan Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act |
| Joint handover inspection at move-out and left-behind items | At return, both parties shall jointly inspect the condition of the housing and ancillary equipment; if items left after the joint handover inspection are not retrieved despite a formal demand by the landlord within a set period, they are deemed abandoned, and disposal costs may be deducted from the security deposit | Article 12 of the Taiwan Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act |
In practice, the scope of restoration to the original condition, which improvements may remain, and how costs are shared can all be itemized in the lease or its attachments; Article 5 of the Taiwan Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act further provides that the parties to a lease contract are deemed to have a consumer relationship, and the relevant provisions of the Taiwan Consumer Protection Act apply.
The above is a summary of statutory provisions and is not legal advice; for individual cases, please consult a lawyer or the local competent authority.
Before Hiring Contractors for Rental Work, Confirm These
- Landlord's written consent: Clearly state the approved items and scope to avoid verbal misunderstandings.
- Move-out handling: Agree on what needs restoration, what can remain, and who bears the costs.
- Nature of work: Small-scale, non-fixed arrangements usually do not require interior decoration review; if fixed projects like partitions or ceilings are involved, confirm whether registered contractors and review are needed (see our pages 'How to Verify Legal Registration' and 'Interior Decoration Process and Reporting').
- Written contract and estimate: Even for small projects, it is advisable to confirm scope, amount, and schedule in writing (see our pages 'How to Read an Estimate' and 'Contract Considerations').
The key to rental renovations is 'reversible, restorable, and agreed upon in advance,' keeping flexibility and costs manageable so they don't become a burden at move-out. This page is a neutral information summary, not legal advice; consult professionals or authorities for specific cases.
FAQ
Can I decorate a rental myself?
It depends on the lease, landlord consent, and the nature of the changes. Movable, non-destructive arrangements (furniture, curtains, adhesive hooks) have less controversy; fixed or original-altering projects (partitions, plumbing, nailing walls) usually require written landlord consent. This page is a neutral information summary, not legal advice.
Do I always need landlord consent for modifying partitions or plumbing?
Generally, for fixed or original-altering projects, it is recommended to obtain written landlord consent and specify the scope and move-out handling in the lease or appendix to avoid future disputes. Whether interior decoration review is also required depends on the project's content and scale.
Do I need to restore the original condition at move-out?
Article 455 of the Taiwan Civil Code provides that the leased property shall be returned after the lease is terminated; Article 431, paragraph 2, provides that facilities added by the tenant may be removed, but the property shall be restored to its original condition. Under Article 432, the tenant is not liable for compensation for changes caused by the agreed method of use or normal use. For work involving structure or pipes, it is advisable to specify in advance in the lease whether restoration is required at move-out. This paragraph is not legal advice.
Will my security deposit be deducted?
If unauthorized changes or damage incur restoration costs, the landlord may deduct from the security deposit; approved improvements agreed to be retained are handled per the agreement. Specifying cost allocation in a written agreement can reduce disputes.
What is the maximum number of months of rent that a rental deposit can be? Is the deposit always returned after lease termination?
Pursuant to Article 7 of the Act for the Development and Management of the Residential Renovation Market, the security deposit shall not exceed 2 months' rent in total. After the lease terminates and the tenant returns the leased residential property and settles all related debts, the landlord shall return the deposit or the remaining deposit after offsetting the debts. If damage is caused by unauthorized renovation changes, the landlord may deduct from the deposit the cost of restoring the original condition, but the deducted amount must still reasonably correspond to the actual damage. This page is a neutral compilation of information and is not legal advice.
Do adhesive, removable arrangements count as decoration?
Movable, non-damaging arrangements (adhesive hooks, removable wall stickers, movable furniture) are usually less controversial and can be restored at move-out; they differ in nature from fixed 'interior decoration.' If unsure, it is still recommended to confirm with the landlord beforehand.
Do I need a registered contractor for small rental renovations?
Small-scale, non-fixed arrangements usually do not require interior decoration review; but if fixed projects like partitions or ceilings are involved, confirm whether a contractor registered for interior decoration work and review are needed. See our pages 'How to Verify Legal Registration' and 'Interior Decoration Process and Reporting.'
If the landlord agrees to my renovation, can I ask the landlord to reimburse the renovation costs at move-out?
Under Article 431, paragraph 1, of the Taiwan Civil Code, if beneficial expenses paid by the tenant increase the value of the housing, and the landlord knew of them without expressing objection, the landlord shall reimburse them upon termination of the lease, but only up to the increase in value still existing at move-out, which is not equal to the full renovation cost. If the lease provides otherwise, for example that the tenant bears the cost or must restore the property, the agreement is generally followed. It is advisable to put the allocation of costs in a written agreement. This paragraph is not legal advice.
References (official data sources)
· This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only. Please refer to the announcements of the competent authority for actual registration status and regulations.
