＜英語＞

Living in Kamakura－A Multilingual Housing Guidebook－

Have you ever faced any difficulties when looking for a room to rent or when renting a room
in Japan? This guidebook aims to assist people who are unfamiliar with the Japanese
lifestyle. We hope you will find this guidebook practical and useful.

◆For individuals supporting foreign nationals◆
In addition to providing information to those who are looking for a room, this guidebook also
contains useful information for those who support foreign nationals in the rental process. We urge
such individuals to consult this guidebook before attempting to explain its contents to people whoare looking for a room, as both parties attempt to find a room through joint effort.

Kamakura City Residential Support Council

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“I am unable to express what I want to say.” …
◆Consultation counter if you need the services of an interpreter

If you want to approach real estate agents
and/or related organizations○ Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents
・TEL:
・Open hours:
・Available languages:

045 - 228 - 1752
10:00-17:00 (Monday to Friday)
Japanese・Chinese・English・Korean・Spanish
Portuguese・Tagalog・Vietnamese・Thai・Nepali*Available languages vary based on the days and hours.
Please feel free to contact us.

If you need the services of an interpreterat Kamakura City Office○ Kamakura City Office
Cultural Affairs & Human Rights Division (Bunka Jinken Ka)
・TEL:
・Open hours:
・Available languages:

0467 – 61 – 3872
9:00 – 17:00
Please feel free to contact us.

Reservation required.

Please submit the written request no later than three days
prior to your preferred date.
*Please kindly note that we might not be able to meet your request.

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Do you wish to rent a room in Japan? (Is this a norm in Japanese culture?)◆Most apartments cannot be directly rented from the property owner (Lessor). The real estate agent usually
advertises for tenants and negotiates the contract on behalf of the property owner (Lessor).

◆If you wish to rent a room in Japan, you will need to provide a “Joint Guarantor” and/or “Emergency
Contact Information”.
◎Who can be a Joint Guarantor?
The Joint Guarantor refers to a person who will be responsible for paying the rent should the lessee
fail to pay. As such, the Joint Guarantor assumes the same position as the lessee, and has theresponsibility to pay when the lessee is unable to.
◎Lease guarantor companies
Presently, the role of the guarantor is often fulfilled by “lease guarantor companies”.
(For reference, these lease guarantor companies offer guarantee services to foreign nationals
as well. *These are just a few examples of such companies. )○Lease guarantor companies that exclusively provide this service to non-Japanese individuals
Name of CompanyTEL

03-6804-6801
03-6915-0888

Global Trust Networks
Japan Housing Trust○Lease guarantor companies that are available for Japanese and non-Japanese individuals
Name of CompanyTEL

03-6880-2781
03-3434-3725
03-5446-5700
03-5339-1143

Foundation for Senior Citizens’ Housing
4c’s Co., Ltd.
Nihon Safety Co., Ltd.
Casa

◎Emergency Contact Information
Emergency contact information refers to the telephone number and e-mail address of a person who
can be contacted by the property owner and real estate agent if they are unable to get in touch with thelessee. The emergency contact person is not required to pay the rent on behalf of the lessee.
*If you do not have “Joint Guarantor” and/or “Emergency Contact Information”, you are required tocontact the Kamakura City Residential Support Council.
Kamakura City Residential Support Council
Administration Office（Kanagawa Housing & Community Development Association） TEL 045-664-6896
Kamakura City Office
Housing Division
TEL 0467-61-3679
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◆It costs to rent a room!
Renting a room entails the following expenses as well. Arrangements to cover these expenses must be
made in advance.
ItemDescriptions
Estimated AmountThis refers to the amount provided to the property ownerin order to cover any damages to the room (i.e., if the room
is dirtied, destroyed, and so on) due to the lessee’s
negligence, or in the event of a default on rental payments. One to two months
DepositIf the lessee pays the monthly rent on time and inhabits of rent
the lease unit according to the lease rules, the amount will
be refunded once the lessee vacates the property. This is anorm in Japanese culture.
In the Japanese culture, key money is paid to the property
Zero to two months
Key Money
owner before moving in as a “thank you” for beingof rent
allowed to rent a room.
One month’s rent
Commission
Commission is paid to the real estate agent.
and consumption tax
Advance Rent
Payments
Damage Insurance
Premium

Guarantor Fee

Key Exchange Fee
Security Deposit
for the Propane
Gas Company

This rent is paid in advance. The pro-rated rent of the Pro-rated rent ofmonth in which the lessee moves in, as well as the rent for move-in month andthe next month, must be paid upon signing the Contract.
rent for next month
The insurance is meant to compensate the lessor and othertenants who may incur damage caused by factors
including fire and water leakage for reasons attributable tothe lessee during his/her occupancy of the rental property.
This refers to the payment made to the guarantee company
that serves as a guarantor for the lessee instead of anindividual guarantor.
【Attention】If the lessee fails to pay the rent, he/she must
pay this expense to the guarantee company.

15,000 yen
to 20,000 yen

Half a month to one
month’s rent
(amount varies
depending on thecontent of guarantee)
10,000 yen
This is a fee charged to procure a new key.
to 20,000 yenApproximately
If the rental property uses propane gas, a security deposit 10,000yen
has to be paid to the gas company. Much like a “deposit”, (amount varies
it will likely be returned upon termination of the Contract. depending on the gascompany)
Three to six months
Totalof rent

◆The rent paid in the current month is the rent for the next month (i.e., the rent that you pay thismonth shall cover your stay in the rental property for the following month.)4◆There are costs that will be incurred even after renting a room.
At the time of contract renewal (generally every two years), the following fees will be incurred. You arerequested to save money, so as to be able to pay this amount after two years of renting.
Item
Renewal Charge
Renewal Charge ofDamage Insurance
Premium
Renewal Charge ofGuarantor Fee

Descriptions

Estimated AmountThis is paid to the property owner at the time of contract
One month’s rent
renewal.
15,000 yen
The damage insurance premium and guarantor fee that were to 20,000 yen
contacted at the time of moving in will expire after twoyears. The tenant will have to renew the contract for the Half a month to one
month’s rent (amountsubsequent two years.
varies depending on
the content ofguarantee)◆If you are still uncertain, please refer to the following material.

【Moving In/Out Manual】
issued by Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents
TEL:

045-228-1752

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Let's get started and look for a room!
◆As a general rule, the lessee and the person actually living in the rental property must bethe same person.
A person other than the lessee cannot live in the rental property without permission. Therefore,
if the lessee wishes to accommodate any other person/s in the rental property, he/she must first
consult with the property owner (real estate agent) to obtain permission.

◆There are various types of rental housing.
◎Municipal Public Housing and Prefectural Public Housing(Kamakura City Office Housing Division TEL:0467-61-3679)◎Public Rental Housing (UR, Kanagawa Prefectural Housing Supply Corporation)◎Private rental housing(rental housing handled by private real estate agents in town)
The differences and features of each type of rental housing are explained in the following material.

【Guide to Types of Rental Housing】
issued by Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents
TEL: 045-228-1752◆Decide your requirements for living in Japan.
Item

Entry Column

ExamplePriority

By when?

byPreferred areaaround ＊＊station

Rentup to ＊0,000 yen(about one-third of monthly salary)Rooms required

two rooms●●monthcategory (pension, salary, public assistance, etc.)
Incomeapproximate amountyen/month

Guarantor

co-worker

Emergency Contact
Information

co-worker

The above information will help the real estate agency communicate with you.
You must also be aware of the evacuation methods in case of a natural disaster. We recommend that thelessee obtain a hazard map of the area he/she wishes to live in.

6◆“Application” and “Making a contract” are different.
The procedure of application, making a contract and moving-in is listed below. (Excerpt from “Moving In/OutManual” issued by Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents)

Flow When Renting Housing〔Foreigners〕
Specify

yourrequirements〔Real estate agent〕
forThe real estate agent provides
information and floor layout ofhousing
thatmeetyourrequirements.

housing.

If you find housing that meet yourrequirements, go to look at thehousing.

If you want to rent the housing, fillout an application form.

Examination※ A guarantor is often required
when making application.

Decision
Make a reservation※An application fee will
be sometimes required.

Important terms of the contract areexplained.

Sign the rental agreement. Pay deposit, key money, agency fee,
property insurance premium, rent and other required fees.

Receive the key and move into thehousing.
Note: In Japan, some real estate agents possess their own rental housing and rent out theperson who looks for the housing. However, in most cases, the rental housing is owned
by a private person. Therefore, the real estate agent serves as the intermediary
between the landlord and the renter.

◆If you are still uncertain, please refer to the following material！
【Rental Application Form（8 languages intensive version）】
issued by Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents
TEL 045-228-1752
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When you want to approach real estate agents◆Real estate agents provide further support.
Real estate agents also provide guidebooks to foreign nationals on moving in.
There is a lot of information you must be familiar with. Please use this as a reference.

【Guidebook for Tenants】
issued by National Federation of Real Estate Transaction Associations
Available languages: English・Chinese・Korean・VietnameseContact:
Kanagawa Federation of Real Estate Transaction Association
Kamakura Branch
TEL 0467-23-2085【Apartment Search Guidebook】
issued by All Japan Real Estate Association
Available languages: English・Chinese・Korean
Contact: Kanagawa Prefecture Headquarter・Shonan Branch
TEL 0466-28-1445【Apartment Search Guidebook】
issued by Japan Property Management Association
Available languages: 12 languages
Contact: Japan Property Management Association
Kanagawa Prefecture Branch
TEL 045-651-2662◆When you are concerned about going to a real estate agency alone
Make good use of interpreter services. The contact information is available on 2page.

◆There are certain matters you should confirm with the real estate agent before entering intoa contract.

Take a note!

8Regarding difficulties after moving in◆Checklist after moving in:Things to doCheck

Have you contacted the gas company?

Consultation Counter
Real estate agent
Kamakura City Office

Have you transferred your resident’s card?

Citizens Section
Kamakura City Office

Have you completed the procedures for changing schools?

Educational Section
Kamakura City Office

Have you confirmed the garbage collection days?

Waste Reduction Measures Section*Connect with the residents' association/neighborhood association.

(Membership fees are applicable)◆If you are still uncertain, please refer to the following material！
【Living Guide for Foreigners】【Deposit and Restoration】
issued by Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents
TEL 045-228-1752◆Do you have any difficulties living in Japan?
Difficulties

Contact Details
・Kamakura City Council of Social Welfare

Unable to pay the rent（Community Safety Service Division）
0467-23-1075
・Inclusion-net Kanagawa
0467-46-2119
・Kamakura City Office Livelihood Welfare Division0467-61-3972
・Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents 045-228-1752

Not familiar with using
the appliances in theroom

Real estate agent （Not familiar withgarbage disposal process

Kamakura City Office Waste Deduction Measures Section

0467-61-3396

Unable to communicatein your language

Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents

045-228-1752

Need the services of aninterpreter at Kamakura
City Office
Unaware of who tocontact for furtherassistance）

Kamakura City Office Cultural Affairs & Human Rights Division(Bunka Jinken Ka)
0467-61-3872
Kamakura City Office Consultation Counter of Living and Welfare（City Office 1F No. 3 Counter）
0467-61-3864

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When Moving out the room
The following is the procedure of moving out. (Excerpt from “Moving In/Out Manual” issued byKanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents)

Rules for Moving
When you move out the housing, you need to notify your local government office, the electric powercompany, gas company, etc.

[Before moving]
1 Confirm the period specified in your rental housing agreement (usually 1 to 2 months in advance)that you will be terminating the agreement, and notify the landlord or the real estate agent.
2 Notify your local government office, electric power company, gas company, section in charge ofwaterworks, etc. of your moving and completing the turn-off procedures.

Confirm electric power company, gascompany, and section in charge ofwaterworks at your local government office
to have the services turned off andsettlement of utility charge.

Call the telephone company and post office
for notification of change of your address.

Inquire about disposal of large garbage
items (especially large-sized furniture,large quantities of garbage) disposed at
the time of moving.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・[When moving]
1 Remove all of your belongings from thehousing and clean it well.
2 ・Check the condition of the rooms
・Return the key・Settle the deposit

Carry out all of your belongings from the housing,and clean the rooms well. Do not leave any largesized garbage behind.
These matters are conducted in the presence ofthe landlord or the real estate agent inaccordance with the rental housing agreementthat specifies original condition restoration.

◆After moving out, complete procedure for filing change of address at the resident registration for foreign
nationals counter at new local government office within 14 days.

10【Regarding NPO Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents】
You can consult with us in your preferred language regarding
housing and life in Japan. We provide you with multilingual
support to find and communicate with real estate agencies, advise
you on the rules for living in Japan, and assist you in dealing withany issues that may arise. Please visit our website or feel free tocontact us by phone or email.

NPO Kanagawa Housing Support Center for Foreign Residents
Yokohama YMCA 2F, 1-7, Tokiwa-cho, Naka Ward,
Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan 231-8458
TEL
045-228-1752 (Monday to Friday)
FAX
045-228-1768
E-mailsumai.sc@sumasen.comURL
http://sumasen.com/
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