How to Rent an Apartment in Japan
Renting Apartment in Japan. Are you planning to apply for an apartment in Japan? Renting an apartment in Japan is quite complicated, especially for foreigners! Just follow these steps! Here are 6 steps to move into a new apartment in Sapporo.
(1) Choose your apartment
In order to be able to sign a contract, you need to first decide which apartment you would like to move into. You can either search it directly in our database, or ask us to find one for you.
(2) Book the apartment
Find the apartment you like already? then you can first book it! Note that "booking" means that you will submit a request to the property owner or management company to move into the apartment. Owner or management company of the apartment will then do a background check to decide whether or not you can move into the apartment. Some information that you need to provide during this procedure:
DETAIL- Your personal information: It is highly advised to prepare these documents before hand:
- Passport
- Zairyu Card (在留カード、Zairyu Card)
- Insurance card (保険書, Hokensho)
- Student ID (if you are student)
- Japanese cellphone no.
- Japanese bank account
- Emergency contact in Japan: does not need to be Japanese, can also be foreign national, but need to be able to communicate in Japanese good enough.
- Full name
- Date of birth
- HOME address
- Cellphone no.
- Emergency contact in your country: one of your family member or friends that can be contacted in case of emergency.
- Full name
- Date of birth
- HOME address
- Cellphone no.
- Relationship (Parents/ relatives/ etc)
(3) Background check
In Japan, it is common for property owners or management company to do background check or shinsa (審査) to decide whether or not you can move into the apartment they own. No need to worry! 95% of the request are usually accepted.
Some main factors are:
- Your criminal record
- Your financial status
- Your Japanese skills
This process usually takes around 1 week or even less to complete, depending on the owner or management company who owns the property. Check out this post to learn more about screening process.
(4) Sign contract
Your request has been approved? congratulation! Now you can formally sign contract with the owner or management company in charge of the property! It is highly advised to first review the content of the contract before hand to avoid unexpected fee. Most contracts are in Japanese and sometimes too much to read. But here are some common things that you need to pay attention to:
- Deposit (shikikin, 敷金): Some properties might demand 1-month deposit for you to be able to enter the room. This deposit is mostly refundable. You need to know the term and condition on how you can get your deposit back.
- Cleaning fee (seisoryou, 清掃料): This cleaning fee can be charged either on the first month you move in or when you move out. You need to check in the contract when do you need to pay for the cleaning fee.
- Penalty／違約金 (iyakukin): In case you need to move out before the rent period written in the contract, you need to pay a penalty (1-2 months worth of rent). It is highly advised to know the date in which you can move out without penalty and how much you need to pay in case of contract breach.
There are many other different types of Japanese apartment contract terminologies. You can check them here.
(5) Pay rent
Finally sign a contract? great! now it is time to pay the rent. For the first month payment, usually property agents may help handling the first payment. But for the next month, you need to pay to the owner or management company directly. Most common method is by using ATM payment, in which you transfer money directly. For convenience, it is highly advised to setup an automated payment or jidoubarai (自動払い) in the bank you have your account in.
(6) Key handover
Well, no need for further explanation. Enjoy your new room, and do not lose your key.
*Note that you also need to report your new residence to your local ward office (kuyakusho, 区役所)、you will then get a new address written on your zairyu card (在留カード). It is highly advised to report your new address to your school or workplace as well.
