Set up Gas, Electricity and Water in your New Apartment in Japan
Finally signed contract for your new apartment in Japan? Congratulations! now for next step is to make sure that you have running water, electricity and gas when you move into your new apartment. You may need to do phone calls in Japanese to separate utility companies (if you signed contract with beststay.jp, we can help with the procedures!). Electricity invoices are usually separate and can be paid in konbini (convenience stores).
1) Make sure your water runs!
Some apartment owners/ management companies will immediately turn on the main pipe (元栓, motosen) to your room when you move into your new place. But in some cases when they forget to turn it on, please ask the management company to turn it on for you! You may also be billed either monthly or once for two months, water invoice will be sent to you through mail. Depending on your apartment, water may be billed together with your rent.
2) Set up appointment with Gas Company
For safety reason, gas lines in empty apartment will be cut off until there will be someone living there. Immediately after signing apartment contract, you MUST call the gas company responsible for your new apartment gas (check with your agent). You NEED to setup an appointment with the gas company, usually during the first move-in date, in which personnel from the gas company will come directly to your room and set up the gas line for you (you must be in the room during that time). If you signed contract with Beststay.jp, we can also assist with this procedure. Gas bill invoice will be sent to you through mail. Depending on your apartment, gas may be billed together with your rent.
3) Set up electricity
Electricity main breaker in empty apartments are usually turned off until there is a new tenant moving-in (and can be turned on when there is potential tenant viewing the room). Even though electricity can usually be turned on immediately after you move in just by turning on the breaker, you may still need to do phone call in Japanese to the electricity company in charge of your new room, in order for you to get invoice every month (Check with your agent). If you signed contract with beststay.jp, we can also assist with this procedure!
