Easy-to follow Guide!
Points for restoring rental housing to its
original condition when you move out

I gained an understandingof the costs that tenants arebilled when moving out!

I learned points I need tobe careful about whenliving in rental housing!

I learned that it is notallowed to do renovations
or repairs in rental housing
without permission!

I discovered who bears
the cost of repairs fordamage to rental housing!

See inside for points to note on before/after moving in,and out of rental property!

What does “restoration tooriginal condition” mean?
When moving out of rental housing, you (the tenant) are required by law (under the Civil Code)to repair any damage to the property you have caused.
This is called “restoration to original condition.” In many cases, an inspection is carried out
in the presence of the tenant and the landlord/property manager to see how much
repair needs to be carried out on the property/fixtures.
When you moved into the rental housing, you paid a deposit (shikikin).
When you move out, the landlord will return the deposit to you,minus the cost of any repairs that need to be carried out.
If the repair costs are higher than the deposit amount, you must pay the difference.
“Trouble Regarding Restoration to Original Condition and Related Guidelines”(issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) states
the common thinking regarding whether the tenant or the landlord bears
the costs of repairs to the rental housing when the tenant moves out.

Thinking regarding the cost burden ratio
Rental property value (building value)Upgrade*Landlord’s burdenAging
Normal wear and tearAmount included in rent

100 (%)

Breach of duty of care
Intentional damage/negligence
Other

Newly-built

Tenant moves inTenant’s burden

Tenant moves out

Lengthof time

*Upgrade: Repairs that increase the value of the property, such as replacing old fixtures with new ones, when the tenant moves out.

“Restoration to original condition beared by tenant” means the repair of wear and tearcaused by the tenant’s intentional damage/negligence, breach of duty of care, or otherwear resulting from use beyond normal usage; it does not include wear and tear from aging
or the normal wear and tear that occurs while the tenant is living in the rental housing.

POINT

In general, if the tenant is not behind on rent, has used the rental housingwith care, and leaves it in a clean condition, the deposit is returned; however,if the tenant did not use the rental housing with care and has damaged/
dirtied the property or has broken any fixtures, the tenant is billed forthe cost of repairs after moving out.

Examples of landlord’s burden and tenant’s burden●Property overall●Fixtures●Floors

Housecleaning (by a professional cleaning service)

Damage to fixtures due to improper daily cleaning

Marks from furniture (Normal wear and tear)(when the tenant would normally do the cleaning)or improper usage (Breach of duty of care)= landlord’s burden= landlord’s burden= tenant’s burden●Ceiling●Wet areas (kitchen, bathroom, toilet)

Fixtures/devices malfunction or are unusable

Mineral deposits or mold in the bath, toilet, orMarks from lighting equipment affixed directly to(due to product lifespan)

washstand (when staining has been caused by

the ceiling without the landlord’s permission when

= landlord’s burden

insufficient cleaning during the time the tenant

there are no lighting mounting brackets on the ceiling

was living in the rental housing) (Breach of(beyond normal usage)= tenant’s burden

duty of care)= tenant’s burden●Walls (wallpaper)●Fixtures

Dark patches on the wallpaper behind

Replacement of bathtub/hot tub, etc.

the refrigerator (so-called electric burns)(No damage, but replaced in order to(Normal wear and tear)secure the next tenant)= landlord’s burden= landlord’s burden●Walls (wallpaper)●Tatami matting

Kitchen grease stains (when the stove isReverse, re-cover= landlord’s burden

not cleaned properly after use and grime/grease remains) (beyond normal usage)= tenant’s burden●Fittings●Wet areas (kitchen, bathroom, toilet)
Grime/grease on the gas cooktop table,

Cracks in wire-reinforced glass (occurring

ventilation fan (due to insufficient cleaning)

naturally due to structure)(Breach of duty of care)= landlord’s burden= tenant’s burden●Floors
Discoloration (due to sunlight, rain leakage
resulting from building structural defects, etc.)= landlord’s burden●Walls (wallpaper)●KeysScrew holes/marks on the wall from installing

Replacement of keys (when the keys have not been

an air conditioner (owned by the tenant)damaged/lost)= landlord’s burden(Normal wear and tear)

Replacement of keys due to damage (improper usage) or loss

= landlord’s burden= tenant’s burden

Cases in which repair easily becomes the tenant’s burden●Examples of breach of duty of care or intentional
damage/negligence by the tenant
· Scratches caused when moving furniture in/out of
the rental housing
· Mold/stains that have grown larger due to leaving
condensation on windows, doors, etc.
· Scribbles on tatami matting, wallpaper, or flooring
· Damage to walls etc. by pets kept by the tenant●Other examples of use beyond normal usage

· Cigarette stains/smell
· Nail holes/screw holes in walls (excluding holes fromair conditioner installation)

Cases in which repair becomes the tenant’s burden due to rental agreement content●Examples of special provisions that place the burden of repair on
the tenant, regardless of how the rental housing has been used
· Housecleaning
· Air conditioner cleaningImportant matters to ensure that moving out goes smoothly
Before moving in, check that there are no existing problems with the rental
housing by using a “Confirmation of Current Conditions” form.
If there are any existing problems, report them to your landlord or the property manager.

“Confirmation of Current
Conditions (example)”

Depending on the property, what you may be thinking regarding
the cost burden ratio may differ from the guidelines, sobe sure to check the content of any special provisions in your rental agreement.
It is important to properly understand the procedures for moving out and the general rules forrestoration to original condition. When moving out, contact your landlord or the property
manager as early as possible and carefully check the procedures for moving out.
Even if the tenant uses the rental housing in a normal manner in his/her daily life,
mold or stains may occur in the case of some properties. If mold and/or stains are left to expand,there is a high possibility that the burden of repair will be placed on the tenant,so it is important that you regularly clean and ventilate the rental housing.

FAQ
I found cases where the tenant was billed
moving out of rental housing where I have lived
QOnverythehighinternet,
QWhen
costs for restoration to original condition, so I am
for long time, do I need to bear the entire burden ofworried that I will also receive a huge bill when I move out.

AFirst of all, check the content of yourrental agreement. If you have any
problems related to restoration tooriginal condition, please use theconsultation service provided on
the Japan Property Management
Association website (in Japanese).

INVOICE¥ ●●●,●●●■■■........... ○○○○■■■........... ○○○○

Japan Property Management
Association website (in Japanese).

https://www.jpm.jp/
provision in my rental agreement states
QIfthata special
the burden of housecleaning is on the tenant,do I still have to pay the cleaning service fees even
if I clean the rental housing before moving out?

ANormally, the burden of costs is decided based on thecontent of special provisions when the agreement isconcluded, after the tenant has understood andagreed to the content of
the special provisions.
If you are unsure about any
rental agreement content,
please check with your realestate office.

repair costs when damage is due to negligence?

A

Usually, the age of the fixtures is taken into consideration,and the longer the time since the tenant moved in, themore the burden on the tenant for repair costs is reduced.

fixture in my rental housing is broken. Can IQAsearchon the internet and make arrangements fora repair person to fix it?

AAs a rule, repairs are carried out by
the repair person designated by thelandlord. First of all, contact yourlandlord or property manager. If
you arrange for repairs yourself andthe cost is higher than the estimate
provided by your landlord’s designated repair person, you
may have to pay the amount for repairs exceeding theestimate, so please be careful. In addition, you may also beheld responsible for any damage that is caused.

OK for me to renovate the rental housing to suit
QIsmyitpreferences?
Also, I want to install an air conditioner; is it OK forme to do that?

A

It is not possible to carry out renovations without yourlandlord’s permission. If you do carry out renovations
without permission, the repair costs for restoration tooriginal condition will probably be very high. Also, youneed your landlord’s permission in advance to install an airconditioner. Any air conditioners you install need to beremoved when you move out.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Japan Property Management Association
2023.3