Procedures for renting housing in Japan

2023-07-04 Rent

Are you looking for a housing?

If you look for housing in Japan, you may need to understand the procedure to find a housing in Japan.

1. Consider what are requirements for your housing

There are many things you need to consider and it is better to list up your requirements for a housing and discuss with your members to live together.

These are the examples. It is not so easy to fulfill all your requirements. Therefore, you better consider what are your priorities or what you can make a compromise.

Budget

How much rent can you pay a month? This may be a important factor as it occurs every month.

You also need to take into account about initial cost will be required at the time of contract.

Location

You may need to consider traveling time to commute to a company or school from your house.

If you commute by public transportation such as train, bus, you better live nearby the station or bus stop.

Or if you commute by a car, you don’t need to care about the distance from public transportation. However, you may need to consider about keeping a parking.

Your family member situation – children

If you have children, you need to care about the location of kindergarten(Yochien), elementary school(Shogakko), junior high school(Chugakko). Especially, if the children are in the age of elementary school or junior high school, they need to go to school by walk in Japan. Therefore, it is better to live in a place where is not far for children by walk.

Housing Type

There are several types of housing .

Apartment
Mansion-condominuum type
House

2. Start to look for housing

Once you organize your requirements for housing, start to look for housing.

There are many website services helping you to find housing. Mostly, using housing portal site is a popular way to find housing.

You can also go to a real property agent directly for consultation.

3. Contact a real estate agent

Once you find a housing you are interested, contact a real estate agent and ask for availability and room tour.

4. Room tour

You will go to room tour together with real estate company. Check if the room is suitable for your life.

5. Apply for housing where you want to live

You apply for a housing if you find a suitable housing.

6. Examination by rent guarantor company

There is an examination by rent guarantor company. The owner of the housing or Real estate management company may also examine. You need to submit your identification info and proof of income for the examination.

7. Contract

Once you pass the examination, you can proceed for a contract of rent housing.

You need to pay initial fee at the time of contract such as deposit money(Shikikin), key money(Reikin) and advance rent fee(mae-yachin) etc.

Upon finishing the contract agreement, you will receive a house key and you can move into a new house.

8. Move into new housing

You can move into new housing from contract date.

Please make sure to contact electricity, gas, water supply companies to start to use.

Hope you can find good housing. If you have any questions, please inquire to us.