えい ご ばん

英語版
ち ん た い じゅう た く

か

かた

す

賃貸住宅の借り方・住むときのルール

A Guide to Rental Housing andRules for Living in Japan‘Sai-no-kuni’ Saitama
さい

くに

彩の国

さいたまけん埼玉県

ENGLISH

Foreword
As a foreign national, securing rental housing can be quite frustrating at times—perhaps
you are unfamiliar with the ways in which Japanese real estate agencies conduct businessor the terms of the contact are difficult to understand.
Even after you have moved into a new home or apartment, trouble can arise between you
and your landlord and/or neighbors if you are not familiar with and follow the formal and tacit
rules regarding life in Japan.
The purpose of this booklet is to explain, in simple terms, how to go about securing rental
housing and what rules you need to be aware of when living in Japan.
Please use this booklet as a reference when securing rental housing or living in Japan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Rental Housing in Japan ...............................................................1(1) An Overview of Rental Housing(2) Before Entering into a Lease(3) Types of Lease Contracts(4) Payments Required When Entering into a Lease(5) General Terms and Conditions of a Lease

II. Procedures for Securing Rental Housing ....................................4
III. Finding a Real Estate Agent to Help You Find a Home ..............5
IV. Consultations on Lease Contracts ...............................................5
V. Procedures for Moving ..................................................................6
VI. Rules for Living in Japan ...............................................................7(1) Rubbish Disposal(2) Using the Kitchen(3) Being Aware of Making Noise(4) Using the Bath and Toilet(5) Using Common Areas and Facilities(6) Car and Bicycle Parking

VII. Neighborhood Associations .........................................................8ENGLISH

I Rental Housing in Japan
When you wish to rent a home or apartment, you should go to a real estate agency (fudosan torihiki gyosha). Procedures regarding leases are somewhat different from those inother countries. It is important to be familiar with Japanese manners and customs in order
to avoid problems after you move.

(1) An Overview of Rental Housing
Rent and Management Fee

1. Rent is paid monthly in advance.
2. A management or common service fee is added to the rent.
These fees pay for the cleaning and electric bills of common
facilities.

Size of House/Apartment And Types ofRooms

1. The size of a house/apartment is indicated by the total floor
space, including not only living areas, but also the toilet,
bathroom, kitchen, etc. (e.g. 30 m2).
2. The size of each room is indicated by the number of tatami
mats that can fit in it (e.g. 6 jo). One tatami mat is about 1.6 m2.
3. Rooms are categorized as either Japanese style (tatami
rooms) or Western style (rooms with floorboards). The
terms DK (dining space + kitchen) and LDK (living room,
dining space + kitchen) are also often used.
4. The size of a house or lot is often measured in “tsubo”. One
tsubo is about 3.3 m2.

Facilities

1. Virtually all rental housing units in Japan are equipped
to provide electricity, water, and gas, but it is up to theresident to follow the procedures required to start using
these utilities.
2. Light fixtures, tabletop ranges, ovens, or furniture are
not usually provided. You will need to obtain these items
yourself.

AccessAccess is usually indicated in number of minutes from thenearest station (e.g. a 15-minute walk from Urawa Station).

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ENGLISH(2) Before Entering into a Lease
When you rent a house or apartment in Japan, you must sign a lease or rental contract(chintai keiyaku).
The lease clearly specifies the rights and obligations of both the lessor (the owner) andthe lessee.
Your signature on such a contract is legally binding and indicates that you agree to abideby the terms and conditions listed therein. You should read the contract carefully and haveanything you do not fully understand explained to you. Remember that it is imperative thatyou understand all the contents of the contract before you sign.
When entering a lease, you are required to present a copy of your juminhyo (Resident
Record), Residence Card, a certificate of income, and name seal registration certificate. A
guarantor (a co-signer that will be responsible for the rent, etc. should you fail to pay) or awritten oath is also usually required.

(3) Types of Lease Contracts
NormalLease
Contract

As a rule, the same contract is renewed (continued) after the contract period
expires. When you renew this type of contract, you may be required to pay
a contract renewal fee and other fees.

Fixed-term After the contract period expires, this type of contract is not renewed autoLease
matically. You can enter into a new contract to rent the same unit, however,Contract which typically involves a realtor’s fee and other fees.

(4) Payments Required When Entering into a Lease
Rent

Rent is paid in advance. Therefore, when first moving into a residence, youhave to pay 2 months of rent (the current month’s and following month’srent). Rent is usually paid by way of bank transfer.

Deposit

A security deposit equivalent to 1–3 months’ rent is given to the landlord.
When you move to a new residence, the money is used to pay any outstanding rent, make repairs and clean the house/apartment as necessary.
The balance, if any, is refunded to you when you move out.

Key Money

Generally 1–2 months’ rent is paid to the landlord as key money. This money
is non-refundable.

Realtor’s
FeeThis is the commission paid to the real estate agent. In principle, the tenant
and landlord each pay the equivalent of half a month’s rent, making a totalof 1 month. However, if both parties agree, the proportion paid by each party
may be changed.

2

ENGLISH(5) General Terms and Conditions of a Lease
Guarantor

In most cases you will need a guarantor when you apply for an apartment.
If you do not have one, you may be able to utilize a company that provides
guarantors. Please discuss it with the real estate agent.

Payment ofRent must be paid one month in advance by the date stated in the lease.
Rent
Occupants

You cannot allow anyone other than family members to live with you without the prior consent of your landlord.

Subletting

You cannot sublet the property or any part thereof to a third person.

Renovating You must obtain permission before renovating (e.g. installing electrical andandgas lines, demolishing walls, or boring holes in walls) or redecorating (e.g.
Redecorating replacing wallpaper).
Should you want to terminate the lease prior to its full term, you must give
your landlord advanced notice. If you move without informing the landlord
Lease
Termination of your intention to do so or wait until just before you move, your deposit
might not be refunded.
Conditions Be aware that there are instances where deposits are not returned and exat the End of orbitant cleaning charges are made at the end of leases. You should agree
the Lease as to what fees will be required at the end of the lease before you sign.
Pets

Most landlords do not allow pets. If you want to keep one, please tell yourreal estate agent before you enter into a rental agreement, and make surethat the rental agreement allows pets.

3

ENGLISH

II Procedures for Securing Rental Housing
Person Looking for a Residence

Real Estate Agent

Tell the agent what specifications you
are looking for in a house/apartment
Show the customer information on
residences that meet his conditions.
Go to view the residences thatsound promising

Fill in an application for the
residence you want to rent1

Background check

Note 1: Co-signers are often required
when filling in the application.
Acceptance of yourapplication
Make a tentative commitment andinitiate the contract procedures2Note 2: An application fee may be required.

Explain the critical points of
the lease

Pay the deposit, key money, agent’s commission, rent, insurance against
damage, etc. as required. Sign the contract and stamp it with your seal

Receive your copy of the contract

Receive the key and move in

4

ENGLISH

III Finding a Real Estate Agent to Help You Finda HomeWebsiteURL

Welcome CHINTAI (Japan Property Management
Association)(A website that helps foreigners who want to stay inJapan find a place to live)

http://www.welcome.jpm.jp/

Saitama Prefecture Housing Support Network(A list of real estate agents supporting foreigners, etc.)

http://www.sasn.jp/safety/27/

International Division, Saitama Prefectural Office(Lists of real estate agents supporting foreigners, etc.
[one in Japanese with furigana and another in English])http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/
page/sumaisupportlist.html

IV Consultations on Lease Contracts
Subject ofConsultation

Phone
NumberOrganization

Hours(except national holidays
and during the year-end/
New Year holidays)

Daily
Housing Consultation Plaza,048-658-3017 (open on national holidays)
Saitama Housing Supply Corporation
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Rental contracts• Advice on problems
Monday to Friday
Saitama of Real Estate048-811-1820
related to living in or
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Transaction Associationleaving a housing unit
Monday to Friday
Saitama Headquarters,
048-866-5225
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All Japan Real Estate Association• Rental contracts Construction Safety Division,• Real estate agents Saitama Prefectural Office

5048-830-5488

Monday to Friday
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ENGLISH

V Procedures for Moving
There are various procedures and tasks you must accomplish when moving. In particular,
you should be mindful of the following items.
Procedure
Notifications ofmoving in andmoving out
Electricity

Water

Gas

Telephone
Mail

Driver’s
licensePersonal
seal registration

Children inelementaryand juniorhigh school

Before Moving
After Moving
Submit a notification to the office of the city, Submit a notification to the office of theward, town, or village that you are moving city, ward, town, or village that you haveout of about two weeks in advance, and relocated to within 14 days of moving in.
receive a moving-out certificate.
Call the electric power company you cur- Turn on any breaker or fuse switches.
rently have a contract with and the company you plan to use after moving.
Contact the water division of the office ofthe city, ward, town, or village that you are
moving out of and of the area that you are
moving into.
• Call the gas company you currently have Have the gas company open your maina contract with, and have them shut the gas valve for you, do a safety inspection,gas off.
etc.
• Also call the gas company you plan touse after moving.
Call the telephone company you currently
have a contract with.
If you notify the post office that you are
moving, they will forward your mail to yournew address for one year.
Follow the procedure for changing youraddress at the driver’s license center ora police station (except for Konosu Police
Station).
You can contact the Saitama Prefectural
Driver’s License Center at048-543-2001.
When you move to a new municipality,
you should re-register your personal sealat the office of your new city, ward, town,
or village.
• When you submit a notification that you • When you submit a notification that you
are moving out, please inform the per- have moved into an area, please informson receiving it that you have a child the person receiving it that you have aor children in elementary or junior high child or children in elementary or juniorschool.
high school.
• You will receive a school certificate • Present your child’s school certificate(zaigaku shomeisho) and a textbook (zaigaku shomeisho) and textbook cercertificate (kyokasho kyuyo shomeisho) tificate (kyokasho kyuyo shomeisho) tofrom your child or children’s current the school(s) that your child or children
school(s).
will be attending.

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ENGLISH

VI Rules for Living in Japan
When you live in housing complexes such as apartments you will deal with many different
people in your daily life. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the following rules and guidelines in order to maintain amicable relations with others in your neighborhood.

(1) Rubbish Disposal
The method of rubbish disposal varies from one municipality to the next. Also the day
and time of collection depends on the type of rubbish. For details specific to where you
live, please ask your real estate agent, a neighbor or staff in the relevant division of yourmunicipal office.
Questions You Should Ask
1. What days and times you should put out the rubbish.
2. Where you should put the rubbish.
3. Which items are considered combustible and which are non-combustible.
4. Which items are considered recyclable (bottles, cans, plastics, newspapers, etc.)
5. How to dispose of bulky refuse.1
Notes:
1. Some bulky refuse and items that are difficult to dispose of will require a fee in order tohave them collected otherwise they may not be collected at all. Please ask the relevant
division of your municipal office for details on how to dispose of such items.
Examples: Items such as furniture, bedding, electrical appliances, kitchenware, household goods, and the like that are bigger than a certain size, including drawers, tables,
chairs, futons, carpets, bicycles, microwaves, stoves, gas stoves, and golf equipment.
2. Your local municipality will not collect refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, or washing machines. You will have to pay a fee to a store that sells such items to dispose ofthem. Contact the manufacturer or store that you purchased an item from to find out how
to dispose of it.

(2) Using the Kitchen
You should keep the kitchen clean.
You must not flush any rubbish or grease down the sink drain, as doing so can cause
the drain to clog.
Pouring oil down the drain pollutes rivers and the sea. When disposing of oil, use newspaper, etc. to soak it up and dispose of it along with the combustible rubbish.

7

ENGLISH(3) Being Aware of Making Noise

In apartment complexes, noise can be easily heard by your neighbors, including those living above or below you. Therefore, it is important to make sure you do not make loud noises
especially at night and in the early hours of the morning.
Examples of Noises that are Nuisances
Televisions and radios, musical instruments, loud voices, vacuum cleaners andwashing machines, drainage from showers, and the opening and shutting of doors.

(4) Using the Bath and Toilet

Floods can occur when the toilet or the bathroom drain backs up. If the apartment below
you suffers damage due to such flood, you will have to pay for the damage (i.e. the charges
for the repair work.)
To Avoid Drainage Back Up
1. Do not flush hair, etc. down drains.
2. Do not flush items other than toilet paper (e.g. tissue paper, sanitary napkins)
down the toilet.

(5) Using Common Areas and Facilities

In apartment complexes, walkways, hallways and stairs that are located outside of yourapartment are considered common areas. During times of emergency, such as an earthquake or fire, they serve as evacuation routes. Therefore, you are forbidden to store yourpersonal items in them.

(6) Car and Bicycle Parking

Please be sure to leave your bicycle only in areas designated as bicycle parks in anorderly fashion.
If you own a car, you will be required to rent a parking space—parking on the side of theroad is illegal.

VII Neighborhood Associations
Nearly every city, town and village in Japan has its own Neighborhood Association (chonai-kai or jichi-kai). Activities vary from association to association, but some of the major
ones include putting out memorandums (containing information from municipal offices andpublic health care centers), conducting crime-reduction activities and disaster prevention
training, as well as holding festivals and events that create opportunities for people in theneighborhood to socialize with each other.
Neighborhood Associations operate and provide these services with the funds accumulated from membership fees.
Foreign residents can also join Neighborhood Associations. To learn more, ask yourneighbors or contact your local municipality.

8Prefectural Mascot: Kobaton
さいたまけん埼玉県マスコット 「コバトン」

ちんたいじゅうたく

か

かた

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賃貸住宅の借り方・住むときのルール
えい ご ばん( 英語版 )

ねんはっこう2013 年発行

さいたまけんけんみんせいかつ ぶ こくさい か埼玉県県民生活部国際課

し うら わ く たかさご

〒 330-9301 さいたま市浦和区高砂 3-15-1
TEL 048-830-2717
http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/soshiki/d06/

A Guide to Rental Housing and Rules for Living in Japan
Published: 2013
International Division, Department of Public Services,
Saitama Prefectural Government
3-15-1 Takasago, Urawa-ku, Saitama-shi 330-9301
Tel: 048-830-2717
http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/soshiki/d06/