In many rental situations, landlords create “house rules” to maintain cleanliness, peace, and shared living order. If the rental unit is located in a condominium or managed building, there will usually be community regulations as well.
So what happens if the tenant does not follow these rules?
Can the landlord terminate the lease early and ask the tenant to move out?
The answer is: Yes, a landlord may do so, but only by following the legal procedure. It is not a situation where the landlord says “move out” and the tenant must leave right away.
Below is an easy-to-understand explanation for both landlords and tenants.
What Does the Law Say?
Civil Code Article 438:
“(1) The lessee shall use or benefit from the subject of the lease in accordance with the agreed method; if there is no such agreement, it shall be used in a manner consistent with its nature.
(2) If the lessee violates the preceding paragraph and continues despite the lessor’s objection, the lessor may terminate the contract.”
✨ Plain Explanation: If a tenant violates the agreed method of using the property, the landlord cannot immediately terminate the lease. The landlord must first remind and warn the tenant. If the tenant continues to violate after being told to stop, only then may the landlord terminate the lease.
⚖️ Legal Source: Civil Code Article 438 – Law.moj.gov.tw
Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act, Article 10:
“A lessor who terminates the lease before expiry according to the previous Paragraph should inform the lessee in writing, along with related evidence, within the following prescription period:
1. Pursuant to the first to third or the fifth Sub-Paragraph of the previous Paragraph, at least 30 days before termination.
2. Pursuant to the fourth Sub-Paragraph of the previous Paragraph, at least 3 months before termination.”
✨ Plain Explanation: Even when the landlord has valid legal grounds, they cannot tell the tenant to move out immediately. They must notify the tenant in writing (commonly via certified letter) at least 30 days in advance, and provide evidence showing the tenant’s violation. Only then is the termination legally valid.
⚖️ Legal Source: Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act Article 10 – Law.moj.gov.tw
When Do House Rules or Community Regulations Become Binding?
For house rules or community regulations to legally bind the tenant, the tenant must have been informed and agreed to them at the time of signing the lease.
They are not valid if:
- The landlord adds them later,
- Announces them verbally,
- Posts them somewhere in the building,
- Or says “this is how everyone does it,”
but the tenant never agreed.
Binding? | Situation |
| ✅ Yes | Rules were explained before signing, written into the lease or attached, and agreed to by the tenant |
| ❌ No | The rules were added or modified after move-in, verbally announced, or posted without tenant consent |
In short: for rules to be legally enforceable, they must be explained and agreed upon at the time of signing.
🦂 Related Read: Do Tenants Have to Obey Landlord’s House Rules in Taiwan?
💜 Related Read: Can You Keep a Pet If Your Landlord Says Yes but the Community Manager Says No in Taiwan?
When Can a Landlord Legally Terminate the Lease?
To legally end the lease, these steps must be followed:
- The house rules were included as part of the lease
- The landlord reminded and warned the tenant
- The tenant continued violating the rules
- The landlord sent written notice at least 30 days in advance, with evidence
If all four are met → Termination is legally valid.
Conclusion
House rules are not “whatever the landlord says.”
They only have legal effect if the tenant knew about them and agreed to them at signing.
If a tenant later violates the rules, the landlord must first warn, then request correction, and only if the tenant refuses to improve may the landlord terminate the lease, with written notice given 30 days in advance and supporting evidence.
Ultimately, the key to preventing disputes is not how strict the rules are, but whether both sides clearly communicated expectations at the start and mutually acknowledged the agreement. When both sides understand and agree, rental relationships naturally become smoother and more stable.
