You may be very concerned about where to live in Japan. However, it's difficult for international students to find and sign a contract for housing in Japan. In this page, you will find information on housing in Japan, so that you can understand the living environment in Japan before studying there.
Consider your desired area, distance from schools, costs (rent, agency fees, etc.), and surrounding environment (stations, convenience stores, banks, etc.). Try to imagine how you will actually live and decide on realistic conditions.
Search for a place to live on the Internet or in a housing information magazine.
If you can find several houses that meet your requirements, you will be able to choose
a house more smoothly in the next step. If you are having trouble finding a place to live,
ask your school for help.
You can also use the "Safety
Net Housing Information System" (Japanese only) to search for rental housing
that accepts foreign residents. There are also various other housing search sites,
but be aware that they may list houses that refuse to accept foreign residents.
Once you have decided on a house that meets your requirements, contact the real estate agency that manages the property in order to actually visit it.
Check the kitchen, air conditioner, and other facilities, as well as the refrigerator and washing machine room during the preliminary inspection. In addition, check the surrounding environment and convenience during the preliminary inspection. Ask where the station, bus stop, supermarkets, convenience stores, post office, banks, hospitals, etc. are located.
When you find a room you like, submit a property rental application form to the real estate agency. The application form may differ depending on the real estate agency and may require the name of a guarantor.
After submitting the application form, the move-in examination process will begin. The criteria for move-in examination vary depending on the real estate company, landlord, and the property, but the most important points are whether you can pay the rent on time and whether they can rent the property with peace of mind.
After passing the move-in examination, the real estate notary in the real estate agent will give you a briefing on the property, contract conditions, and other important matters. If there is anything you do not understand, be sure to ask questions at that point.
After you have prepared all the necessary documents and fees, carefully check the contents of the lease contract and the Important Points Explanation to make sure there is no difference.
Student dormitories or international student housing established by schools or public corporations are less expensive than apartments because there are no deposits, key money, or renewal fees. However, the buildings are often old, and the number of available rooms is limited, so not everyone who wishes to move in will be able to do so. Also, they are not suitable for students who want to live alone, as they basically live in groups. About 20-25% of international students in Japan live in student dormitories.
The advantage of living in an apartment is that you can choose the room you want to live in, giving you a high degree of freedom. On the other hand, the contracting process is often complicated, and the cost is higher than that of student dormitories. About 70-75% of international students in Japan live in private apartments.
Among the apartments, there are share-houses where you live in a group with other students and others. The cost of living in a shared house is less than renting a room on your own, and you have more freedom in your life. Some students who do not mind living in a group live in a share house because it is easier to make friends.
The amount of money paid to the landlord every month. In Japan, rent is paid in advance. Since it is one of the biggest costs of living, be sure to calculate in advance how much you can afford to pay. In case you are unable to pay the rent, you will need to use a rent guarantee company or have a joint guarantor.
A security deposit is money that you leave with the landlord as guarantee when you rent a new apartment. When you move out, the money will be refunded after deducting the cost of restoring the property to its original condition, such as replacing damaged or dirty wallpaper or cloth. As a rule of thumb, it costs about one to two months' rent.
Key money is the money you pay to the landlord as a reward when you move in. Unlike a security deposit, it is not refundable when you move out. Recently, there are more and more properties that do not require key money. As a rule of thumb, the fee is equivalent to one or two months’ rent.
This is a monthly fee paid in addition to rent at rental housing complexes, etc. It is the cost required to operate and maintain equipment and facilities that are used or shared by tenants. In many cases, the fee is set at 5-10% of the rent.
This is the money paid to the real estate company that brokered the property. By law, the maximum agency fee is set at one month's rent (plus consumption tax).
This fee is required when you use a "rent guarantee company," which is becoming more and more common. If you fail to pay your rent on time, the guarantee company will pay the rent on your behalf. However, you are obligated to pay it back. As a rule of thumb, the fee is 0.5 to 1 month's rent.
In most cases, tenants are required to purchase fire insurance and, at first, pay the premium for two years (the period of the rental contract). In some cases, you may be able to choose your own insurance.
This is the money you pay to the landlord when you renew your contract. Some areas have a renewal fee, and some do not, but it is generally paid every two years. It is usually equivalent to one to two months’ rent.
This is a fee paid to the real estate agency. This fee is paid to the real estate agency for their labor in preparing the contract and other paperwork for the renewal process. The standard fee is 0.5 month's rent.
More information about expense: Cost of Study
A guarantor is a person who takes responsibility for a tenant in the event that the tenant is unable to pay the rent. In most cases, this is required when applying to move in. If you do not have a guarantor, you may be able to use a rent guarantor agency.
This is the contract for renting an apartment. The main contents include the name and location of the property, the structure of the property, accessories and residuals, contract period and renewal, rent and common service fees, and conditions for cancellation and surrender.
In a real estate transaction, this is a document that contains information necessary for deciding whether or not to sign a contract regarding the contents of the property and the conditions of the transaction. Before signing a lease contract, the real estate company will always explain important matters such as the contents of the property and the terms of the contract using the Important Points Explanation.
When you sign a lease contract for a house (room), you will be given a key to the house (room). This key is to be returned to you when you terminate the lease, so make sure you do not lose it. If you lose it, you must contact the landlord or real estate agent immediately.
You will need to apply for electricity, gas, and water by yourself. If you do not know how to apply, please consult with your real estate agent.
In Japan, it is common to greet your neighbors when you move in. It is also a good idea to introduce yourself to your neighbors so that you can help each other out in case any problems arise.
Report to the municipal office of the city or ward where you live. Resident registration is called “jumin toroku (住民登録)”, and notification of change in address is called “jusho henko no todokede (住所変更の届出)”
Garbage disposal methods vary depending on the area and building you live in. When moving in, ask your real estate agent, neighbors, the city office, or the cleaning office for the days and times when you can dispose of each type of garbage.
Do not pour oil or kitchen garbage directly down the sink drain. Absorb the grease with a newspaper, etc. and dispose of it separately as burnable garbage. When cooking food that produces smells or smoke, turn on the ventilation fan to prevent the smell from lingering in the room.
In apartment complexes, it is easy for noise to be transmitted to neighbors and upstairs and downstairs, so be careful especially during the night and early morning.
If the drains in bathrooms and toilets become clogged, water will overflow and cause a serious problem. You may have to pay for the damage caused to the house on the floor below. Do not pour hair down the drain, and do not flush the toilet except for toilet paper.
The balcony may be used as an escape route in case of emergency. Please do not place your belongings on the balcony floor or at the escape door.
In apartment complexes, corridors and stairs outside your room are common areas. Please do not leave trash or personal belongings in the common areas, as they are used as evacuation routes in case of emergency.
In apartment complexes, bicycles should be placed neatly in a designated area such as a bicycle parking lot. Some buildings require a special sticker to be attached. Also, cars must rent a parking space. Parking on the street is not allowed. Parking is basically paid for. You have to pay for parking every month, so do not park in a parking lot other than the one you are renting just because it is available.