Preparing to move out

1.Moving out notice
In the most of the case, tenants are expected to give one month's notice before moving out. You should check the contract for details. Also you should check if the final rent can be devided at day basis. If no, you would better determine your moving out date at the end of month.

2.Moving out inspection
When you inform your moving out date of the agent or the landlord, you also have to set the inspection date so that the agent can check the condition. Before inspection, you have to remove all your stuff and pack up everything.

3.Utilities closing
You have to arrange the utilities to be cut off. You can just call each comapany (Electricity, Gas, telephone, internet, and water).

4.Key returning
If you lost the key, you will be charged for the restoration fee.

5.Inspection
You basically have to restore your room to the original condition. Normall wear and tear should not be considered the damage by your fault. But some heinous agent may charge you for restoration fee of changing the wall paper or floor even though there is no outstanding scratch or mark.

6. Returning deposit
Mostly you are supposed to fill out your bank account on the form 'Moving out notice'. When you move out, deposit should be wired into your bank account after 1 or 2 month later.

7. Mail forwarding
After moving, it's important to go to a post office in your area and fill out a change of address form, to have your mail forwarded to your new address.(Japan only)
The post office will continue to forward your mail for one year after you submit this form.

入居審査/Nyukyo sinsa (Tenant examine)

Once your real estate agent has recieved your application, they will give it to the landlord of the apartment you have chosen, and a tenantwill be examined by the landlord. The landlord will decide seeing the information on the application if you would be a suitable tenant. They will consider, for example, your workplace, income, credit history, etc. After you pass this check, the last step is to sign the contract.

更新料/Koushinryo (Renewal fee)

Te most of the landload require the tenant to pay the renewal fee when the contract expired.
Mostely it is a equivalent to 1 month or 2 month rent.
Other prefecture

Type of layout

When you see the layout on the property advertisement, several similar name of layout may makes you confused.

1room : This type of apartment has an only 1 boxed room including small kitchen space.The door for a unit type bath/toilet is normally in the room, not in the corridor. The average size is about 12m2～20m2.

1K : The bedroom and kitchen are seperated. The average size is about 15m2~25m2


1DK : A 1DK has a bedroom, and a kitchen/dining room combination. The overall size is slightly larger than a 1ROOM or 1K.



1LDK : A 1LDK has a bedroom and living room/dining room combination with a separated kitchen space. The size of this type is about 25m2～60m2.


2DK : A 2DK has 2 bedrooms and a kitchen/dining room combination. The typical size of this type is about 35m2~60m2.


2LDK : A 2LDK has 2 bedrooms and living room/dining room combination with a separated kitchen space. The size of this type is about 50m2～80m2.


3LDK : A 3LDK has 3 bedrooms and living room/dining room combination with a separated kitchen space. The size of this type is about 70m2～100m2. One of the rooms is typically included Japanese room=和室(Washitsu) with Tatami.


As you can guess;
L means Living room
D means Dining room
K means Kitchen

Other marks on layout;
S : Storage space.
P/S : You may this mark near the hall, this measn Pype space, in which you can not normally place anything.
WIC : walk in closet
UB : It stands for unit bath. Toilet and bath tab space is in the same unit space. Normally there is no shower curtain.
CL : closet
冷 : fridge space (normally not equipped)
洗 : washing machine space (normally not equipped)
洋室(Yoshitsu) : western style room (carpet or wooden floor)
If there is parallel lines on the floor, this means wooden floor.
和室(Washitsu) : Japanese style room with tatami or fusuma door(sliding door with paper)
押入(Oshiire) : Japanese style closet where they put Futon

Property Type

There are several types of apartment building in Japan.

Apartment you probably imagine is called Mansion. If it is for rent, it is called Chintai Mansion. Chintai means 'for rent'. If it is for sale, it is called Bunjo Mansion.
Mostly this type of building tends to have three or more stories, and be made of a
steel framework and reinforced concrete. Rent is typically higher than the
'apato'(アパート).

Apato (アパート) is lower grade building than Mansion. This type of building is made of wood, or light steel. It is usually only two stories or less.

A single house for rent is called Kashiya (貸家). There are major 2 types of measure for buying a new single house. One is Tateuri (建売). Tateuri is sold by a development company or real estate company who buy land and build a house. The buyer can not require them to change the layout but minor change such as changing the color or material for wall or floor.
Another meaure would be Chumon Jutaku (注文住宅). The land owner place an order with a house maker. Offcourse the orderer can decide the layout or other details consulliting with a designer. A house maker offer you the price at the price per Tsubo (3.3sqm). The standard price for Chumon Jutaku is 300,000~600,000 JPY per 1 tsubo. If you want to build a house with 50 tsubo, and price for tsubo is 500,000JPY, the building cost would be 25,000,000JPY.
Normally this price does not include the exterior work such as porch or garden.

If you are not particular with a new property, you can buy a second hand apartment or single house. A second hand apartment is called Chuko Mansion. A second hand single house is called Chuko Kodate.


-A brand new mansion for sale is equipped with a latest function for security system of kitchen equipments. Some has a fufilling facilities such as private park, day care, gym or reception service.
-When you buy a second hand property, you have to be careful about the property right ant the condition offered by the seller. Also you should check how much it would cost for the management fee, ShuzenTsumitateKin (reserve fund for the repairment) and parking lot.
-If you are trying to buy a Tateuri, you should confirm with real estate company how flexible you can require your request of them.

Measurments for property

平方メートル(Heihou metoru=Heibe):square meter
坪(Tsubo):1 tsubo=about 3.3m2 or 2 jo
畳(Jo):1 jyou=about 1.65m2, 0.5 tsubo

Typical standard bed room is designed for 6.0jo. Long time ago, this was 4.5jo so you may see this small sized room in a old building. Normally it does not include the storage space (押入れ/Oshiire).
When we describe the size of land, normally Tsubo is used. On the other hand, Heihou metor=Heibe can be often used for the total size of floor space.

建ぺい率(Kenpei ritsu): the percentage of the land size for the size of 1st floor of buildings and structures

容積率(Yoseki ritsu): the percentage of the total floor size for the size of land

畳/Tatami

<畳/Tatami>
It is the traditional type of flooring used in Japan, and is a mat made of woven straw called Igusa. Igusa have a special kind of scent that you may make you relaxing.

In Japan, the size of a room is typically measured by the number of tatami mats (-畳 -jō). The traditional dimensions of the mats were fixed at 90 cm by 180 cm (1.62 square meters) by 5 cm. Half mats, 90 cm by 90 cm (35.5 in by 35.5 in) are also made. Mats from Kyoto (Kyo-tatami) and other parts of western Japan are slightly larger than those from Tokyo and eastern Japan at 95.5 cm by 191 cm (1.82m²; 37.6 in by 75.2 in).

How to find an apartment (for rent)-->Procedure for signing the contrtact

If you are trying to find an apartment through the Classified info on free magazines for foreigners. Most of the landloads or real estate agents who post the ads can speak English. In that case, rental property conditions should be set for foreigners, which means that there is no keymoney or agent fee on the conditions and the apartments should be furnished.
However, please remember that the rent for those type of apartments for foreigners is relatevely higher than other apartments for Japanese under the same conditions. Why? It is simply becuae they are not doing business as volunteers.
If you live in Japan　for long term, you might better pay keymoney or buy your own furniture.
In that case, you are supposed to find an apartment in local real estate agency, who probably can not speak English.
If you can speak Japanese and have challenger spilit, you can refer to the following typical procedures for searching an apartment.

Step 1 : Search the property
1. On the website
There are several general websites where each real estate post the property. You can search the property on these websites across the real estate companies. Each real estate agency has also their original website, where you can search the property on it.

2.Calling on the office
Please note that every Wednesday is regular holiday for the most of the real estate agencies. You can give your requests and budget to an agent.

Step 2 : Matching
An agent is trying to search the property as your request matched as possible, IF he is a faithful perpon. But remember that agents normally has a priority which property he/she should introduce to you. If the landlord is chary, and the agent knows his charactor, probably the agent hesitate to introduce the property to foreingers even if the condition completely matches your request.
Even if it does not match your request, if the landlord really want to have a tenant as soon as possible and the agent knows the fact, the agent may introduce it to you.
Thus on considering lots of situations, you will be showned several layouts in the office. If you have an interesting one, you can ask for viewing. Agent can drive you to the property.

Step 3 :House viewing (for rent)
Be sure not to forget below check points.
1. Who type of person is the landord? Some landlord lives in the apartment.
2. The thickness of the wall You may hear the voice of the next neighbour.
3. Near supermarket
4. Darkness in night on the way to the station (for women)
5. Smell from the drain If you give out a bad smell, the property must have been vacant for long term
6. Maintenance condition for the common space such as elevator or cleaness. You would better check if it is worth paying for the management fee or not.
7. Bicycle space, garbage space
8. Security : Whether the entrance door is autolock or not.
9. What type of internet is available
10. Which direction is the main window facing?
11. Equipments : Some apartments equip the airconditioner or small fridge.
12. How old is the building?
13. Noise from the window : if there is a wide road, highway or railway
14. Storage space
15. Cooking stove : electronic stove is useless. It takes so long time to voil the water. Gas is better but you normally have to buy a stove by yourself. Offcourse electoronic stove is safer than gas.
16. Distance from the nearest station, whether express train stops there or not
17. How often the train comes　and the time of the last train

step 4 : Paper work of the contract
1. Once you have decided the property, you are supposed to submit an application form. You may be required to pay Azukarikin(money entrusted), Azukarikin(application money)or Tetsukekin (deposit money) to keep/reserve the property officialy. See more detal about the defference on another post.

2. The contract documents is provided by real estate agent.
Three copies is prepared: one for the owner, one for the lessee and one for guarantor. The contents of contracts vary widely depending upon the property owner and the real estate agent. In some cases the wording may be difficult to understand. Before signing the contract, you would better ask the real estate agent for explaining any important matters.
Except for the contract, Juyojiko Setsumeisho (The document for understanding pecialy important things) is issued by the real estate agent. They have to explain the important articles or matters for contract to the lessee on this document.
This explanation has to be done before you sign the contract.

3. Preparation items for sign the contract
-外国人登録証/Gaikokujin Toroku sho (Alien Resistration)
-印鑑登録証/Inkan toroku (the certification for seal stamp resisterd in the govement office)
-判子/Hanko (seal stamp)
-源泉徴収票/Gensen choshu hyo (the certification for an annual income)
*Agent instruct you what you should prepare.

step 6 引越し/relocation
Before you move in a new place, be sure not to forget to do these following things;
1. Utilities
In most of the cases, you have to pay the utilities by yourself. To switch on gas, electricity and water, you have to call each company. You are to give them the address and the preffered opening date.

2. Greeting your neigbours
When you move in, it is common courtesy to greet your landlord. But if the landlord is not an individual person, maybe you don't have to do this.
It is better for you to introduce yourself to your nextdoor neighbors on both sides, and also those above and below you. We Japanese normally call on them with a gift.

Internet subscription

There are three type of broadband, ADSL, Cable Internet and Optical fiber available in Japan. The resident can confirm what type of Internet service is available in the apartment by asking the agent or management company. In the case of a single house, the resident has to inquire of Internet Provider for the availability on their address. Monthly internet service charge is not mostly included in the rent. The resident has to subscribe it by theirself.

保証人/Hoshonin (Guarantor)

Most of the landlord requires a guarantor of the lessee. The guarantor has to take a responsible for the lesee's actions.
If the lessee fails to pay the landlord, or damages the apartment for any reason, the landlord has the right to ask the guarantor for compensation. Japanese people normally ask their parents or relatives to be their guarantor. There exist a guarantee company, and they will undertake a role instead of the guarantor. Non-Japanese residents who have difficulty finding a guarantor for their apartment rental, they can ask guarantee company by paying some amount of guarantee fee.

火災保険/Kasai Hoken (Fire insurance)

管理費/Kanri hi=共益費/Kyoekihi (Management fee)

Management fee can be used for maintenance fee for elevators, janitors, garbage correcting and utilities, etc. Some landlords do not charge this fee, or it is already included in your rent.

仲介手数料 Chukaitesuryo (Agent fee)

The commission fee paid to the real estate agent.
Typically equal to one month's rent. But last a couple of years, some of real estate company started to discount the commission fee to the lessee at 50% of one month's rent. If you can find a signboard which says 仲介手数料52.5% in front of the office, they will change you 50% of one month's rent plus 5% cunsumption tax.
A realty agent in Japan has a right to charge both the landload and the lessee to pay the commission but the total amount should never exceed 1 month's rent.

敷引/Shikibiki, 礼金/Reikin (Keymoney)

A non-returnable fee at the start of the tenancy. It is determined whether the realtor says Shikibiki or Reikin depending on the region.
There are two type of descriptions for deposit and Keymoney.
When they use Shikikin (Deposit), they set Shikibiki (Keymoney). When they use Hoshokin (Deposit), they set Reikin(Keymoney).
Reikin can be translated for a a mandatory gift money to the landlord.
Shikibiki is a part of amount for Shikikin, and deducted from Shikikin when the contract is terminated.
Typically, reikin will amount to the equivalent of 2 months' rent.
Shikibiki typically amounts to the equivalent of 2 months' rent. Shikikin typically amounts to the equivalent of 2-6 months's rent.

Type:A
Hoshokin(Deposit):200.000yen
Reikin(Keymoney):100,000yen
-->The lessee pay 300,000yen for keymonety and deposit.
When the contract is terminated, 200,000yen should be refunded.

Type:B
Shikikin(Deposit):300,000yen
Shikibiki(Keymoney=Deduction):100,000
-->The lessee pay 300,000yen for keymoney and deposit.
When the contract is terminated, 200,000yen should be refunded(100,000yen is deducted).

敷金/Shikikin=保証金/Hoshokin (Depodit)

Landlord keeps the deposit, but no interest is added. The deposit will be returned when you vacate your residence. However, fees for the repair of damaged equipment and unpaid bills for utilities are subtracted if the tenant vacated the residence leaving these unpaid. Charges for replacing tatami mats and paper doors may also be deducted.
On the most of the leasing contract, it is mentioned that the deposit shall be refunded within a couple of month after the lessee vacates.

家賃/Yachin (Rent)

Rent is usually paid on a monthly basis. If you start your tenancy in the middle of the month, rent is allocated by the day and multiplied by the number of the days you will stay or have stayed. However when you move out, the final rent can not be allocated by the day in most of the case.
The lessee transfer the rent into the landlord's or management comapany's bank account.