Recommendations and tips for foreigners renting in Japan.

In recent years, an increasing number of foreign nationals have come to Japan to study or work and stay for long periods of time.
If there are no dormitories or company housing available, they will have to find their own rental housing.
This can be a daunting task if your Japanese language skills are inadequate.
Here are some tips and recommendations for foreigners looking to rent housing in Japan.

Cautions and recommendations for renting housing in Japan

When renting an apartment in Japan, the following points should be taken into consideration when looking for and signing a contract.

Search for rental properties on the Internet.

Rather than going directly to a real estate agent, first search for a property by entering the desired area, room size, rent, etc., on an Internet rental property listing site.

There are English websites for foreigners, so you can search for properties even if your Japanese is not sufficient.
Also, the properties on this site are mainly for foreigners, and there are usually real estate agents who can speak English, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands.

When you find a property you want to live in, contact the real estate agency and ask them to show you the property.

If you find a property that is close to what you are looking for, call or e-mail the real estate agent to request a preliminary inspection.

It is easier to make a decision if you can show two or three places at once.

If you are satisfied with the room’s brightness, ventilation, surrounding environment, etc., which cannot be seen on the Internet, you can make a decision.

Confirm how much the rent, key money, and security deposit are.

In addition to rent, there are other costs involved in signing a contract.

Rent: 1 month’s rent
(This is to cover the cost of repairs and maintenance of the room, and will be returned to you when you leave, as long as the room is in good condition.)
Key money: 1 month’s rent (money to thank the landlord for renting the apartment to you)
Real estate agent’s commission 1 month’s rent

In total, it costs about 4 to 5 months’ rent.
For example, if the rent is 50,000 yen for an apartment, you need to prepare 200,000 to 250,000 yen.

Sometimes there are places that charge a half month’s real estate commission or a low security deposit, so it is a good idea to ask about it.
Also, although not immediately, some places require you to pay an additional one month’s rent when you renew your contract every two years, so be sure to check with them.

Consider what to do about a guarantor.

To rent an apartment in Japan, there is a system whereby you can ask someone with an income other than your own to act as your guarantor and take over the responsibility of paying the rent if the tenant is unable to pay it.

In most cases, a family member or relative serves as the guarantor.
Foreigners often come to Japan alone and often do not have Japanese acquaintances.

In such cases, it is a good idea to consult with a real estate agent to find a property that does not require a guarantor, or to ask the real estate agent to introduce you to a property where you can ask an insurance company in place of a guarantor.

Signing a lease contract

If there are no problems with the rent or other conditions, sign a rental contract.
The contents of the rental agreement are easy to understand, but the wording is difficult, so it is very difficult for those who are not good at Japanese to understand.

Ask a real estate agent who understands English to give you a brief explanation.
This rental agreement is very important, so keep it in a safe place.

Things to keep in mind after moving in

It is a relief when you finally decide on an apartment and are ready to live in it.
After that, be aware of the following things to avoid problems with your neighbors.

Do not make noises that would disturb the neighbors, especially at night.
It is illegal to have people other than the person who signed the contract to live together for a long time.
Do not fail to pay rent on time.
・Obey the rules of garbage disposal.
・Positively greet your neighbors and maintain friendly relations with them.

We would like to aim to live harmoniously in cooperation with people around us.

Conclusion

For foreigners coming to Japan from abroad to rent a house, use an English version of a rental batch site to find a good property, and have a real estate agent who understands English guide you through the process.

It costs about 4 months rent to sign a contract, and a guarantor is required.
Once you find a good property, sign a rental contract and maintain good relations with the neighbors.
Find a nice house and enjoy your life in Japan.