Renting an Apartment or Mansion
If you're planning to move to Japan for work, adventure, or fun, and you're hoping to find and rent an apartment you'll need more than just luck. While many cities have high residential vacancy rates, most of those vacancies won't be available to foreigners. Before you step off that airplane, make sure you know just what you're in for when looking for accomodation in Japan.
Renting an apartment can be
challenging for Japanese
people, but it's next to impossible for foreign visitors. To rent an
apartment you not only need a previous Japanese address, you
also need
to provide a letter from a guarantor. For Japanese people, this usually
comes in the form of a letter from a parent. But few if any
foreigners will have either.
Even if they do, most apartments also require two year lease agreements. For those staying in Japan for less than two years, this can be a significant hurdle.
On top of this, very few apartments will even rent to foreigners who are not accompanied by a Japanese friend, partner, or spouse.
Fortunately, there are more and more housing companies for foreigners that can act as guarantor and allow more flexible lease terms. These apartment "real estate" companies are often the only option for foreign visitors looking for rental accommodations, but they also charge very high fees for providing the service.
These fees can include a refundable damage deposit (shikikin), non-refundable 'key money' (reikin), a non-refundable service fee (chukai tesuryo), and a refundable reservation fee (tetsukekin). Each of these fees can be equivalent to one or several months of rent, making this a considerable barrier to renting a Japanese apartment.
Those who have a letter from a guarantor and a previous address, and who can afford to pay the up-front fees required to rent an apartment, will find renting an apartment in Japan similar to most other developed countries.
For example, most apartments are not furnished, pets are rarely allowed (although this is changing), utilities are not usually included, and the landlord, well, is lord.
While there are other options for short term accommodation here, such as 'gaijin' houses or guest houses, these aren't really for 'living' long term but for passing through. If you intend to stay for any length of time, renting or sharing an apartment can be less expensive and far more comfortable.
When it comes to renting an apartment or mansion, the truth is that unless you have a local contact who will act as your guarantor and translator (if required), you probably won't be able to do it without using a Japanese real estate company. While you'll pay more for this service, it might be the only option.
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