TOP > Living
●Location
If you search for a place to live, it is important to consider
commute time. It is also important to consider such factors as
modes of transportation, including the time between
connections, and whether or not express or limited express
trains stop at the nearest station. It is recommended that you
verify the types of facilities located in your neighborhood.
●Floor Plan
Factors such as the size of the housing and the amount of
sunshine largely affect the degree of comfort. You need to
check the kitchen, bathroom/toilet and space for placing your
washing machine and furniture.
●Types of Residences
There are various types, such as manshon (modern apartments
with fireproof construction), apato (traditional apartments
with semi-fireproof construction), student dormitories and
live-in rooms. Make a decision after giving due consideration
to your own personality and lifestyle. Residential
environments vary greatly depending on the property type.
●Gakusei manshon (Student apartments)
These are residences for students only. They are recommended
for people who do not want to be disturbed by other people and
who value safety and comfort.
●Manshon (Modern apartments)
Although functionally superior in terms of facilities,
security, sound insulation, heat insulation and earthquake
resistance, rents for this type are higher than those of
traditional apartments.
●Apato (Traditional apartments)
Generally, the rents are low, so they are recommended for
people who place a priority on cost.
●Student Dormitories
These are housing complexes for students only, but a caretaker
or resident assistant (RA) resides in the property and
provides assistance. They can also give you advice on
day-to-day concerns and other matters.
●Boarding Rooms
These involve renting a room in a house or apartment and
living with a family. Despite the facilities being less
private, rents are more reasonable than traditional apartments
or modern apartments.
The contract process is: (1) Application; (2) Tenant
screening; (3) Briefing on important matters and signing of
contract; and (4) Handover of keys. Prepare the documents
required for the contract and then follow the procedures,
making sure to thoroughly check the contract period, terms and
other details.
●Application
Once you decide on the place you want to live, you need to
apply.
●Submitting Lease Application
Fill in your address, name, income, place of work, guarantor,
etc. The landlord will determine whether or not the applicant
is eligible to live there based on the information obtained
through the tenant screening. In most cases, a guarantor
is required for a lease contract.
●Verifying Costs
There are some cases that application fee, security fee,
deposit, key money, agent fee, common service fee are charged
upon the contract.
Application fee: |
Money paid before a contract to show that you are willing
to rent a room.If the contract is not concluded, it will
be returned. When a contract is established, it will be
used as a part of the contract fee such as deposit or
reikin that is paid afterwards.It is usually around 10,000
JPY~ one month rent.
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Deposit: |
Money used to cover any unpaid rent or to pay for repairs
beyond normal wear-and-tear. It will be balanced when you
move out and usually be equivalent to 2 months rent.
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Key money: |
Money to show your gratitude to the landlord. It is
usually around 2 months rent.
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Agent Fee: |
Fees paid to a real estate agency that mediates between
you and the landlord.
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Common Service Fees: |
Fees that are necessary for the work of maintenance,
management, etc. of common areas and facilities.These fees
should be paid at the same time with the rent every month.
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●Confirmation of required documents
Let's prepare all the necessary documents before signing the
contract.
Since it is different depending on the owner (apartment’s
owner, the real estate company), please confirm which kinds of
documents are required.
●Important Issues/ Contract
The real estate company will explain about the apartment.
Please feel free to ask if you have any question. If possible,
you should ask for the rental lease contract and the Important
Issues in your native language.
Reliable real estate companies that collaborate with
universities and schools can prepare contracts that are
translated into English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages
according to requests from schools.
●What to bring on the day you sign the contract
Please confirm in advance as it is different depending on the
owner(apartment’s owner, the real estate company) and the
situation at the time of application.
●Points to be noted in the Important Issues
Upon the conclusion of the contract, the real estate notary of
the real estate company is required to explain the structure,
facilities, and prohibited matters of the property. Please
make sure that you have a good understanding of the contents
before signing and affixing the seal.
●Handover of keys
After contracting, the key to the property will be handed over
to you.
●Checking Your Place / Neighborhood
Once you receive the key, go to your place before moving in to
check whether you overlooked anything when you made the
preliminary inspection. Measure spaces for furniture and
electric appliances and confirm damage or stains that may
require repairs / restoration to their original condition when
moving out.
The market rate for rent differs depending on such factors
as location and type of residence. It is important to assess
the rent in line with the terms and conditions.
Please notify soon if you want to terminate the contract.
There are some cases that you have to come up with the moving
out costs after balancing the deposit such as repairing,
cleaning fee to return the apartment into its original
condition.
Contract termination here includes termination upon expiration
of the term, short-term termination and termination from the
landlord side.
If you are canceling a contract, be careful because you may be
charged a penalty if you do not notify your lessor (landlord /
property management company) of the contract cancellation date
within the notification period stipulated in the contract.
In principle, pet breeding is prohibited in rental
apartments. There are some places where pets are allowed, so
please check with the owner (apartment’s owner or the real
estate company) beforehand.
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