E01
Apartment Search Guidebook

English001

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Contents
Looking for Rental Housing toE03
1 FromMoving In
1 Rental Procedures and Contract Flow

E03

2 Documents and Fees Required

E08

3 Move-in Procedures

E09

4 Post-Move-in Residency Rules

E10

5 Moving (Vacating) Procedures

E14

6 Real Estate Terms You Should Know

E16

Useful for Renting
2 Information
Housing

E19

3 Requirements Check Sheet

E21

When Renting Housing

When Renting Housing※The bold and underlined words are explained in“ 6 Real Estate Terms You Should Know When
Renting Housing.”

002

E03

1

From Looking for
Rental Housing to Moving In

1 Rental Procedures and Contract Flow When Renting Housing
Flow When Renting Housing
Visit real estateagents in theneighborhood.

EnglishLook for housing on the Internet.
Specifically, look for rental housing
on real estate information sites or the
Safety Net Housing website.
*If you find housing that matches
your requirements, contact the realestate agent.

Tell the real estate agent the requirements for the housing you are seeking.
Go to look at the rental housing.

If you want to contact for the rental housing, fill out the tenant application.
※A guarantor or use of a rental guarantee
company is often required when making
an application.

Tenancy examination and decision by the real estate agent.

Make an appointment
Important points explanation
Receive an explanation of the terms of the contract.

Sign the contract and pay the required fees,
including the security deposit, key money, agency fee,damage insurance premium, rent, and common services fee.

An original copy of the contract is retained by the leaser and renter.
Receive the key to the housing and move in.

003

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1 How to Look for Rental Housing● You can search for housing using an Internet real estate
information websites.
There is a website (in Japanese) called “Safety Net
Housing” where you can search for rental housing that
accepts foreigners: http://www.safetynet-jutaku.jp/
guest/index.php

website (in Japanese) called “Safety Net Housing”● If you cannot acquire the required information from theInternet, go to local real estate agents and tell them therequirements for the housing you are seeking and havethem introduce housing to you. Real estate agents
post rental housing information so that it can be viewed
from outside their oﬃces. Looking at the postings will
give you an idea about the rents in the area you want tolive in.
● If you are a foreign student, ask at the section in chargeof students at your school if the school has student
housing information.
● You also might try asking acquaintances about housing
they have heard of.

004

【Reading ﬂoor layouts】● In Japan, floor layouts are expressed using such terms
as “2LDK.”● The “L” stands for living room, the “D” for dining room,and the “K” for kitchen. “DK” means one room jointly
serves as the dining room and kitchen. “LDK” means
one room jointly serves as the living room, dining room,
and kitchen.
● If there is a number, such as “1” or “2” in front, such as“1DK” or “2LDK,” it shows the number of independentrooms. For example, “2LDK” means there are 2
independent rooms in addition to the LDK.
Entrance
Bay window

Western-styleroom

Hallway
Storage
space
JapaneseclosetSink andchanging room

Hall

Toilet Bathroom

Washing
machineplacement
area

Storagespace
Storage
space

Japanese-styleroom

LDK (living room,
dining room,
kitchen)Balcony
2LDK※This is an example floor layout.

005

EnglishE05

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2 Visit a real estate agent● When visiting a real estate agent, dress appropriately togive a good first impression to the agent.
● If you do not speak Japanese well, bring someone whodoes speak Japanese well with you when you visit a realestate agent.
● Some local governments and businesses provide
services in which staﬀ will accompany you to assist you
when visiting a real estate agent.

3 Your housing requirements● Be sure to clearly state your housing requirements, suchas the closest train station, rent, size, and furnishingsand equipment.
➡ It would be good to fill out the Requirements Check
Sheet on page E21-22 in advance and show it to areal estate agent.

4 Things you will be asked by a real estate agent● Generally, a real estate agent will ask you about thefollowing.
Your name, occupation, co-occupants (number ofpeople), income, Japanese language capability, thereason you are looking for housing, etc.
● Since in some cases you might be asked to fill out arental application on the day you visit the agent, takeidentification (such as your residency card or passport)with you.
● You also might be asked if you have a guarantor.

5 Viewing the housing● If you find housing that matches your requirements, go
and look at it with the real estate agent. You can view
housing free of charge. You do not need to apply to rent
the apartment if you are not satisfied with it after viewing
it.

006

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6 Applying to rent the housing● If you like the housing, apply to rent it and submit the
documents needed for the tenancy examination.
➡ Use the checklist on pp. E23.
● The real estate agent and landlord will conduct a tenancy
examination and if you pass the examination, you can move in.
● It usually takes 1-2 weeks from when you apply to rent
until you can move in.
● When forming a rental agreement in Japan, use of arental guarantee company or providing a guarantor isnecessary, in case the tenant is unable to pay the rent.
Ask the real estate agent for more information.

Rent Liability Guarantee
Company

t

ac

ntr

co

7 Explanation important points● Before signing the rental agreement, have the realestate agent explain the important points to you
regarding the rental agreement and the housing.

Do Youd?
UnderstanOK
Important
PointsExplanation

007

English● When viewing the housing, check facilities such as the kitchen
and air-conditioning, and check to make sure there is enoughroom for items such as a refrigerator and washing machine.
● In addition to the housing, also check the surrounding
environment and the convenience. Ask where are the train
stations and bus stops, supermarkets and convenience
stores, post oﬃce, banks, hospitals, parks, etc.

E08
8 Rental agreement● When you rent housing, you will form a rental agreement.
The rental agreement is a document that specifies thepromises between the landlord and the renter. Read theterms of the rental agreement, have them explained toyou, and sign the agreement only after you understandthe terms well. Signing the rental agreement means thatyou understand its terms and promise to observe them.
If a real estate agent is acting as an intermediary, youwill be charged an agency fee.
● Before signing the rental agreement, check the following
items when receiving the important points explanation.
・Whether the rental agreement is a regular rental
agreement or a lease agreement.
・Ask about the amount of the security deposit, key
money, etc., required at contract signing, and the amountof the Shikibiki (non-refundable restoration fee) if any.
・For a regular rental agreement, ask if there is anagreement renewal fee, and if there is, how much it is.
・Can the housing be redecorated and is co-occupancy byanyone other than the tenants, or keeping pets,
prohibited?
・What are the original condition restoration conditions?
Check on the cost of original condition restoration at thetime of vacating to prevent trouble from arising.

2 Documents and Fees Required
Item

Description

Documents
required when
applying to
rent

Passport, residency card, proof of earnings,
employment certificate, student registration certificate,etc.
(If using a guarantor , the guarantor’s proof of
earnings and seal registration certificate)

Payments
required when
making arentalagreement

Security deposit, key money, agency fee, damage
insurance premium, rent (paid one month inadvance in Japan), common service fee, etc. Thesevary by region, but a rule of thumb is an amountequivalent to 4 to 7 months rent. Generally, payment
is made in cash or by bank transfer.
(If using a rental guarantee company, the guarantee
fee [often, about one-half month’s rent for a two-year
guarantee])

008

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3 Move-in Procedures
1 Receiving the key

2 Checking the interior● When receiving the key, if possible, have the real estateagent accompany you to check the condition of the
housing and it is a good idea to create a checklist.
Drawing a simple floor layout and marking the damaged
or dirty areas and attaching dated photographs are usefulin avoiding trouble in the future. Also be sure to checkthat all furnishings and equipment operate properly.

3 Applying for electricity, gas, and water● To apply for electricity, write your name, address, andusage start date on the postcard attached to the breakerand mail it in.
● For gas, contact a gas company ahead of time andrequest that the gas be turned on before the move-in
date. You must be present when the gas is turned on.
● For water, contact the section in charge of waterworks at
your local government oﬃce and follow the procedure forhaving the water turned on. Write your name, address, andusage start date on the provided postcard and mail it in.
● Ask the real estate agent whom to contact for each of
the above services.
009

English● You will be given the key to the housing after the rental
agreement is signed and you have paid the amount due
at signing. This key must be returned to the landlord at
the end of the contract period, so be careful not to lose it.

E10
4 Telephone and Internet procedures● For fixed telephone lines, contact the telephone company
and complete the procedures for a new line.
● For the Internet, contact an Internet service provider tobegin Internet service.
● Check with the real estate agent for contact information.

4 Post-Move-in Residency Rules
1 Setting out the garbage● The way for taking out the garbage diﬀers depending on
the neighborhood in which you live (city, ward, town, or
village). The day and time period when diﬀerent types ofgarbage are to be set out is decided, so when you movein ask the real estate agent, the neighbors, or the local
government oﬃce about the set day and time.
burnable garbage

Garbage canister

Resource garbage= Tu・Th・Sa= W● If you do not set out the garbage at the appointed time, itwill not be collected even if you separate it properly, andthis will often cause trouble with the neighbors. Be
especially careful to observe the appointed day and time.
● Items that need to be checked・Days and time the garbage is to be set out
・Location where the garbage is to be set out
・Separation of burnable and non-burnable
・Separation of recyclable waste (bottles, cans, PET plastic
bottles, newspapers, etc.)
・How to dispose of large items, etc.
● In cities, wards, towns, or villages with many foreign
residents, there may be pamphlets with illustrations inforeign languages that explain how to put out the
garbage. Ask at the local government oﬃce or the waste
collection oﬃce.
010

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● In multi-family dwellings, sound travels easily to theneighbors or to the floors above and below, so be careful
not to be noisy especially late at night or early in the morning.
● For example, loud voices, parties, televisions andstereos, musical instruments, vacuum cleaners andwashing machines, the sound of children running around,slamming of doors, taking a bath at midnight, and similaractions can lead to noise-related problems, so be careful
not to disturb the neighbors.

3 How to use Japanese housing
In Japan, tenants are obligated to restore rental housing to its
original conditions. You must pay the expense incurred to restore
the rental housing to its original conditions when it has beendamaged or dirtied as a result of failing to follow the tips above.
【1】Housing in general● Japanese houses
have a step up fromthe entrance to the hall 12ń
or room. Shoes are
removed in the entrance
before entering therest of the hous e.
In Japan, people sit directly on the floor or on a cushion
placed on the floor. So be sure to remove your shoes inthe entrance. You must not enter the rest of the housewith your shoes on.

011

English2 Caution regarding noise

E12● Japan is very humid (especially in the summer time), sotake care to air out the inside of the housing. If
condensation forms, wipe it oﬀ. Leaving condensation
could cause mold and mildew to form.
● Putting nails in the walls of the housing or painting it areoften prohibited, so be sure to check what is prohibitedby the rental agreement.

【2】Kitchen● Do not wash grease or food scraps down the sink drain.
Absorb the grease with newspaper or other material andput it in the burnable garbage.
● When cooking generates strong smells or smoke, turnon the exhaust fan and make sure the smell does notlinger in the housing.

【3】Bathroom and toilet● Generally, bathrooms in Japan have a separate washingarea from the bathtub.
● Do not wash waste and other matter down the bathroom
drain, since it could become plugged.
● The bathtub is only used to hold hot water and washing
012

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Englishof the hair or body is done outside of the bathtub in thewashing area. First rinse oﬀ all of the shampoo and soap
before soaking in the bathtub.
● If more than one person will take a bath, the hot water inthe bathtub is not drained and can be used as is for the
next person. Some tubs have reheating features to warm
the water if it cools oﬀ.

● Do not flush anything but bodily waste and toilet paper
down the toilet.
● You will cause your neighbors trouble if a drain or toilet
becomes plugged and overflows. If you cause damage
to housing below yours, you will be responsible forpaying for it.
【4】Common service areas and balconies● In multi-family dwellings, the halls, stairs, and otherlocations outside of your housing are common service
areas. Do not place garbage or personal property inthese areas. These common service areas are also usedas escape routes in times of emergency.
● Balconies might also be used as escape routes in timesof emergency. Do not block the escape routes, etc., withbelongings.

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【5】Bicycle parking space● Line up your bicycle in an orderly fashion in thedesignated area, such as a bicycle parking space. When
there are rules, such as aﬃxing a special sticker to thebicycle, these rules must be followed.

5 Moving (Vacating) Procedures
1 Moving notice● When moving out, notify the landlord or real estateagent within the period speciﬁed in the rental agreement(usually 1 to 2 months in advance) that you will beterminating the rental agreement (termination notice).

2 Turning off electricity, gas, and water● At least 1 week before moving out, notify the electric
power company, gas company, and section in charge ofwaterworks at your local government oﬃce to have theservices turned oﬀ.
● Staﬀ from the electric power company, gas company,
and section in charge of waterworks at your local
government oﬃce will come to the housing on the
move-out day to have you complete the turn-oﬀ
procedures. You will be charged for the service provided
up to that day.

3 Telephone and Internet procedures● For ﬁxed telephone lines, contact the telephonecompany and complete the moving procedures.
● For the Internet, notify the contracting provider of yourchange of address, etc.

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4 Postal matter procedures

5 Returning the key and vacating the premises● Return the key when vacating the premises.
● Original condition restoration means repairing areas of
the housing you have broken or damaged before
vacating the housing. The real estate agent or landlord
will accompany you for an inspection of the housing tocompare the condition of the housing and thefurnishings and equipment with that at the time of
move-in to check how much original condition
restoration, etc., is required.

6 Security deposit settlement● In principle, the security deposit will be returned after
vacating the housing. However, if there are expenses fororiginal condition restoration or to dispose of belongingsleft in the housing, etc., such expenses will be subtracted
from the security deposit. If the cost of original condition
restoration exceeds the amount of the security deposit,
you must pay the diﬀerence.

015

English● Go to the post oﬃce and complete procedures forhaving your mail forwarded. If you do this, mail going to
your former address will be sent to the new address for aset period of time (within Japan, etc.).

E16
6 Real Estate Terms You Should Know When Renting Housing[Termination Notice]
When terminating the rental agreement before it expires,you will need to notify the landlord or real estate agent inwriting within the period specified in the rental agreement(usually 1 to 2 months in advance).
[Common Service Fee (Management Fee)]
This is money that covers the cost of electricity used orcleaning fees, etc., for spaces used in common by thetenants, such as stairways and hallways. In Japan, you
pay a common service fee (or management fee) that is
separate from the rent. This is generally paid for the current
month together with the rent at the end of the previous
month.
[Original Condition Restoration]
You must pay the expense incurred to restore the rental
housing to its original conditions when it has beendamaged or dirtied willfully, negligently, or carelessly byyou. This is called the original condition restoration fee andis subtracted from the security deposit when the housing isvacated. Take care to keep the housing clean and in good
repair.
[Renewal Fee]
This is money paid to the landlord by the renter when therental agreement is renewed to continue the agreement
and is specified in a special term in the rental agreement.
The contract period is normally 2 years.
[Security Deposit (Guarantee Money)]
The security deposit is deposited with the landlord at the time therental agreement is signed as a safeguard against non-paymentof rent or repairs required when the rental housing is vacated. As
a guideline this is usually about the equivalent of 2 months rent.
Any remaining security deposit after settle of expenses at thetime the rental housing is vacated is returned to you.
In some areas the security deposit is called guarantee money.
The guarantee money is often the equivalent of 6 months rent.

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[Important Points Explanation]
When a real estate agent is acting as the agent for rental
housing, the real estate agent will explain the important
points of the rental agreement to the renter (potential renter)
before the rental agreement is signed and an important points
explanation sheet will be given to the renter. The important
points regarding the state of equipment, handling of the
security deposit, etc., will be explained, so listen carefully andask questions when you do not understand something.
[Damage Insurance Premium]
It is common at rental agreement signing to acquire
damage insurance coverage to protect against fire orwater damage caused by the tenant.
[Lease Agreement]
A lease agreement is a rental agreement that covers a
specified contract period and ends at the end of thecontract period without being renewed. A new contract canbe made by agreement between the landlord and renter.
[Co-occupants]
If there will be co-occupants in the rental housing, thismust be stated to the landlord when the rental agreement
is being formed. If this is not stated and you allow cooccupants without permission, you could be evicted fromthe housing.
[Agency Fee]
This is money that is paid as a fee to the real estate agent
and is set within 1 month rent.
[Regular Rental Agreement]
A regular rental agreement is the type of rental agreement
generally used in Japan. The landlord cannot refuse to renew
the agreement at the end of the agreement period without
due cause. In other words, the contract is automaticallyrenewed even if there is no renewal agreement.
017

English[Non-refundable Restoration Fee]
The non-refundable restoration fee is a contract methodthat sets in advance the amount of the portion of the
security deposit or guarantee money that will not be
returned when the housing is vacated. This is often
required in the Tokai Region, Kansai Region, and Kyushu.

E18[Real Estate Agent]This is an agent that serves as the landlord’s agent for
renting housing and that buys and sells real estate.
[Application Fee]
This is money that is paid to the real estate agent whenreserving a rental agreement. Check if the application fee
is returned if a rental agreement is not formed.
[Rent]
This is the charge for renting the housing, and generally
the rent for the current month is due at the end of theprevious month. If you move into or out of housing after
the first day of the month, the rent for that month inprinciple will be prorated.
[Rent Liability Guarantee Company]
A rent liability guarantee company is a company thatguarantees to pay the rent to the landlord in the event thatyou do not pay the rent. To use such a company, you must
pay a set guarantee fee (this is often 35% to 50% of one
month’s rent paid in advance as the guarantee fee for 2
years). However, this is not insurance. The guarantee
company will bill you for the rent that it paid for you.You
may be asked to use this service when applying to rent
housing.
[Key Money]
This is money that is paid to the landlord at the rental
agreement signing. Key money is often required in the
Kanto Region and is usually 1 or 2 months rent. Key
money is not returned. Recently there is some rental
housing that does not require key money to rent.
[Guarantor]
This is a person who pays unpaid rent or unpaid repair
costs after you vacate rental housing when you do not/cannot make the payment yourself. A guarantor is required
when applying to rent rental housing. Guarantors musthave an income that exceeds a certain level. It may berequested when you apply to rent housing.

018

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E19

Information Useful for
Renting Housing①Council of Local Authorities and International Relations[Multilingual Living Information Page]
Information necessary for renting a property is provided
in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, German, French,
Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Indonesian,Thai, Russian, and Myanmar.
http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengo/②Sumasen Kanagawa Foreigner Living Support CenterOﬀers various consultations and interpreting related tohousing to foreigners in English, Chinese, Korean,
Spanish, and Portuguese. Support for finding rental
housing is also provided.
☎045-228-1752
http://www.sumasen.com/③Saitama Prefecture Resident Living Department
International Section[Trusted Renting Support Agent System]
Real estate agents registered with the prefecture as“Trusted Renting Support Agents” help foreigners to findhousing. A list of member agents is available on thewebsite.
☎048-830-2705
http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/a0306/
documents/201503anshinlistnihongo.pdf④“Consultation for Foreigners” of local governments
and international exchange associations
Consultation regarding housing is provided, so be sure to
ask them.

019

EnglishForeigner Residency Support

E20
Exchange Student/Regular Student Residence Support①Japan Educational Exchanges and Services[Comprehensive Renter’s Insurance for Foreign
Students Studying in Japan]
This is a support system that makes it easier for parties
aﬃliated with schools to serve as guarantors forinternational students.
☎03-5454-5275
http://www.jees.or.jp/crifs/index.htm②Chiba International Center[Foreign Student Housing Advisor System]
This system gives referrals to real estate agents that
support the finding of rental housing by exchange
students and regular students in Chiba Prefecture. In
addition, living information is provided in Japanese,
English, Chinese, and Korean.
☎043-297-0245
http://www.mcic.or.jp/③Japan Property Management Association
Kyoto branch[Housing Search Site HOUSE navi]
This Internet site provides housing search information for
the Kyoto area in Japanese, English, Chinese, andKorean.
It also introduces real estate companies capable ofproviding multilingual services and provides various
housing-related information.
☎075-211-4774
http://housenavi-jpm.com/

020

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E21

Requirements Check Sheet
Please fill out this sheet and show it to shop (real estateagent) staﬀ.

To be filled out by the non-Japanese national
What kind of apartment/house are you looking for?
I can pay up to about () yen [￥] in total.
* In Japan, renters must pay costs such ascommon area charges and building
payment (rent) management charges in addition to rent.
I want to live nearstation.
I would prefer a location about ( ) minutes’ walk
② Locationfrom the station.
□Apartment/condominium③ Type□House/single-family residence
Height (1st
□I would prefer the ( ) floor.
④ floor, 2nd□No preference.
floor, ...)
I would prefer about () square meters.
⑤ Space
Number of
I am looking for () rooms.
⑥ rooms□Japanese style □Western style □No preference⑦ Room type□Western style □Japanese style □No preference⑧ Toilet□Necessary□Unnecessary⑨ Bath□Unnecessary⑩ Air conditioner □Necessary
Persons living （ ）persons□Family□Other
⑪ together with □Friendsyou□I will use a guarantee company⑫ Guarantor□I have a joint and several guarantor
I would like to rent for the period of roughly ()
year(s) from the following date (Y/M/D):⑬ Period( )/( )/( ).
I can pay up to about () yen [￥] in total.
Initial payment⑭ (cost at time of * In Japan, initial costs include security deposit,
concluding lease) key money, and fees.
Of requirements ①-⑨ above, the most important
Most
is no. (), the second most important is no. (),⑮ important
requirements and the third most important is no. ().
Preferred

English① monthly

021

E22
To be filled out by the non-Japanese national
Please describe yourself.
①What is your occupation?
□Company employee□Self-employed□Student□Other （）②What is your form of employment?
□Permanent employee□Contract employee□Temporary employee□Part-time employee □Other③Can you speak Japanese? If so, how well?
□Can speak Japanese very well□Can speak some Japanese (enough for everyday conversations)□ Cannot speak Japanese④Can you read Japanese? If so, how well?
□Can read Japanese including Kanji □Can read hiragana□Cannot read Japanese

To be filled out by the real estate agent□Are you interested in any of the apartments shown on
these flyers? If so, please bring somebody with you (whocan speak Japanese) next time.
□ Please read the brochure again carefully.
□ There are no apartments available now (that meet your requirements).
□There are no apartments available now (that meet yourrequirements). An apartment of (area would cost about (Please reconsider your requirements.

022) square meters in the) yen [￥].

E23
Tenancy Examination Required
Documents Check Sheet
Please see the items checked (☑) below and submit the documents indicated.
No.

To check youremployment/
schoolTo check
your income/salaryDocuments①

Passport②

Resident Card③

Certificate of employment④

Certificate ofschool attendance⑤

Certificate of
authorized employment⑥

xtra-status activity permit⑦

Certificate oftax withholding⑧

Salary details⑨

Certificate of tax payment⑩

Copy of previous year’s
income tax return⑪

Certificate of (planned) salary
payment (If you have not yet
started work)⑫

Bank remittance details⑬

Certificate ofscholarship payment⑭

Documentation of bank deposits
and savings (copy of passbook)

EnglishTo check
your identity

Required

023

E24

5

Occupant Pledge Check Sheet* Use this form after revising it as appropriate to reflect the content of the leaseagreement.

No.

I understand.

D e t ails

When moving into and occupying the unit①

I will pay rent and other charges for the next month by theeach month, in the following amount:yen (rentyen,charges
yen).

of

②

I will complete contractual procedures for electricity, gas, andwater service myself. This agreement covers rent only.

③

I will remove my shoes when I enter the unit.

④

I will not rent or lend the unit to others.

⑤

No family members, relatives, friends, or others will live in the
unit.

⑥

I will not keep any pets or other animals.

⑦

I will take out burnable wastes on () days, non-burnablewastes on () days, and recyclables on () days.

⑧

I will refrain from making loud noises, particularly during thehours from roughly : pm to roughly : am.

⑨

I will not leave items out in the corridors, stairwells, veranda, orsimilar places.

⑩

I will keep the unit clean and will use the facilities (properly.

⑪

I will notify
before being away from the unit for a long period(
weeks or longer).

,)

When moving out from the unit⑫

I will submit written notice toout.

,months before moving⑬

I will move out by the ending date of the lease (themonth).

⑭

I will not leave anything, including wastes, behind in the unit.

⑮

I will return the keys to the unit to⑯

If I have made the room dirty, I will pay the costs of cleanup
from my security deposit (deposited with the owner whenconcluding the lease). For example, I will pay the cost of
replacing wallpaper if badly damaged by stains or odors fromcigarette smoke.

.

I promise to comply with the pledges above.

Date :(Y) /Property name:Name (signature) :Email address :024of the(M) /(D)
Unit no. :E25

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name

Telephone No.

（）

Mobiletelephone number

（

）

（

）

（

）

EnglishAddress

Passport No.
Name of place of
employment or school

Location

Telephone No.

Emergency contact in Japan

Name
Telephone No.

Emergency contact in home country

Name
Telephone No.

（）
025