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.