Japanese Site.
FAQ
- What is the explanation of Japanese Layout symbols?
- Japanese apartments are described as 1DK, 2LDK etc.
The numerical digit signifies the number of rooms in the apartment.
“L” stands for Living Room
“D” stands for Dining Area
“K” stands for Kitchen
For example, 1LDK means the apartment has one Living-Dining Kitchen together and 1 more room
and 2DK means the apartment has one Dining Kitchen and two more rooms.
- What should be the budget for renting an apartment in Japan?
- About one-third of the salary should be budgeted for rent. In some cases the owner declines an application if the rent of the apartment is higher than one-third salary of the tenant.
- What documents are required to rent an apartment?
- Passport copy, Resident card copy or Visa Stamp copy and Proof of Income are the documents mainly required to rent an apartment but depending on circumstances other documentation may be required.
- How long does it take to rent an apartment?
- Generally it takes about two weeks but depends on how early the apartment is decided and the documentation process is finished.
- How long is the contract period?
- Generally contracts are valid up to two years but it differs from property to property. The tenant should confirm this with the real estate agent before making the contract.
- Can contracts be renewed?
- Usually contracts can be renewed with a Contract Renewal Fee. In rare cases the contract may not be renewed. It is advised to check with real estate agency beforehand.
- How to apply for Utilities?
- After the move-in date is decided, Gas, Electricity and Water Supply office needs to be contacted and informed about the move-in date. The respective company representative comes on that date and starts the connection.
- What is a guarantor?
- A guarantor is a person who takes the responsibility to make the payment of rent etc. if the actual tenant fails to pay the same. This helps Japanese landlords to collect the outstanding if someone leaves the apartment without paying the rent.
- Who can be a guarantor?
- Guarantor is either a Japanese national residing in Japan or a company registered in Japan. Japanese people use their relatives as guarantors. In some cases foreigners residing in Japan can also serve as guarantors.
- What is a guarantor company?
- Guarantor Company is a company registered in Japan who takes the responsibility of paying the outstanding rent in case the tenant fails. The tenant needs to pay a certain percentage of their rent to the guarantor company every month. Yearly payment options are also there. But all properties may not allow guarantor companies, so the options may be limited.
- What is agent fee?
- Agent fee is an amount paid to the real estate agency for introducing apartments, processing the documents, applying for utilities etc. The standard agent commission fee is equivalent to one month’s rent plus 8% consumption tax.
- What is maintenance fee?
- Maintenance fee or common area fee is an amount charged apart from the rent for the maintenance of common outdoor areas such as corridor, garden, garbage disposal area etc. This fee is not negotiable.
- What is a fire insurance fee?
- Fire insurance fee is a compulsory fee which gives protection against a fire breakout. It is quite compulsory while moving into an apartment.
- What is cleaning fee?
- Cleaning fee is charged while moving out of an apartment no matter how clean the apartment is left. Normal wear and tear is borne by the owner but tenant will be liable to pay for any damage. The cleaning fee depends on the size of the apartment and varies between 1000 yen to 1250 yen per square meter.
UR Apartments
- What details are required to reserve an UR unit for viewing?
- Full Name
Date of Birth
Gender
Present address
Contact Number
Occupancy Type (Single / Family)
Type of Employment – Service / Business / Unemployed
Employer Name
Work Telephone Number
- What are the requirements to rent an UR Apartment?
- a. VISA valid for minimum one year, short-term VISA is not allowed.
b. Monthly salary should be 4 times the amount of Rent.
- What documents are required for making a contract for UR Apartment?
- For people who have worked in Japan for more than 1 year
a. Tax-income certificate (Gensenchoushuuhyo)
b. Resident Proof (Juminhyou) from Ward office (original only)
c. Tax certificate (Kazeishomeisho) from ward office (original only)
For people who has worked for less than one year
a. Income Certificate (Shotoku Shomeisho) / Deputation Letter from Company or Employer (original copy)
b. Resident Proof (Juminhyou) from Ward office (original only)
c. Tax certificate (Kazeishomeisho) from ward office (original only)
*Check “Guide” Page for ward office locations
- How many days does it take to move into an UR apartment?
- Minimum one week time is required after contract is made as lock is required to be changed.
- How much payment is needed to be done on the day the contract is prepared?
- Two month’s rent (Deposit) and rent calculated on pro-rata basis for the month you move in.
- How is the key to the apartment received?
- On the day contract is made, you will get a receipt. The receipt is needed to be shown to the UR Housing’s Management office on or after the decided move-in date.
- Are Utility Costs included in the Rent?
- The rent does not include the utility payments.
- What is the procedure for moving out of an UR apartment?
- A form, “Dissolution of Rental Housing Contract Notification” should be collected from your building’s management office. Minimum 14 days notice period needs to be served before moving out.
Once the leaving date in finalized and the form is signed that date cannot be changed at all.
- Are UR apartments safe from earth quakes?
- UR apartments are made of reinforced concrete or steel reinforced concrete and are strong enough to endure earthquakes. Also, regular inspections and earthquake tests are carried out.
JKK Tokyo Apartments
- What details are required to reserve a JKK unit for viewing?
- a. Full Name (in English and Katakana)
b. Gender
c. Date of Birth
d. Marital Status
e. Occupancy Type (Single / Family), No. of people
f. Monthly income
g. Present address
h. Contact Number
i. Status of Residency
j. Start date of Residency
k. End date of Residency
l. Information on other household members
m. Full Name(in English and Katakana)
n. Gender
o. Relationship
p. Date of Birth
q. Monthly Income
- What are the requirements to rent a JKK Tokyo Apartment?
- General Apt./Ippan Jyutaku.
【General JKK Tokyo Apt.】
a.Long term visa, short-term VISA is not allowed.
b.Income as below:
【Tomin Jutaku (Metropolitan residence) 】Rent Household Income Individual Income Up to 60,000 yen More than 4times of the rent More than 4times of the rent 60,000 yen to 90,000 yen Above 240,000 yen 90,000 yen to 120,000 yen Above 360,000 yen Above 300,000 yen Above 120,000 yen Above 400,000 yen
a.Long term visa, short-term VISA is not allowed.
b.Income as below:Income criteria (The income standard method)
※There are cases where rents vary by income. The Metropolitan citizens house (Tomin Jutaku) can be divided into "qualification category" of the three lower and roughly. When the "qualification category" is different, depending on the number of family income amounts and tenants of the entire family, there are times when application is limited.
Division TypeⅠ＝ Ｉ～Ｖ Division Type Ⅱ＝ Ｉ～Ⅲ Division Type Ⅲ＝ Ⅳ～Ⅴ
If number of members in the family is more than 7, the amount can be obtained by adding 380,000 yen for each family member.Qualification category Income Bracket Classification
Income hierarchy divisionRange of annual gross income with respect to number of members (JPY) 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people Division Type Ⅰ Ⅰ−1 Ⅰ 2,780,000～3,236,000 3,160,000～3,616,000 3,540,000～3,996,000 3,920,000～4,376,000 4,300,000～4,756,000 Ⅰ−2 Ⅱ 3,236,001～3,596,000 3,616,001～3,976,000 3,996,001～4,356,000 4,376,001～4,736,000 4,756,001～5,116,000 Ⅲ 3,596,001～4,244,000 3,976,001～4,624,000 4,356,001～5,004,000 4,736,001～5,384,000 5,116,001～5,764,000 Ⅳ 4,244,001～5,114,000 4,624,001～5,524,000 5,004,001～5,904,000 5,384,001～6,284,000 5,764,001～6,664,000 Ⅴ 5,144,001～6,260,000 5,524,001～6,640,000 5,904,001～7,020,000 6,284,001～7,400,000 6,664,001～7,780,000 Ⅵ 6,260,001～7,592,000 6,640,001～7,972,000 7,020,001～8,352,000 7,400,001～8,732,000 7,780,001～9,112,000
c. Eligibility : Family of more than two people
- What documents are required for making a contract for JKK Tokyo Apartment?
- 【General Apt./Ippan Jyutaku.】
a. Resident Proof (Juminhyou) from Ward office (original only) issued within last three months
b. Certificate of Official Registration of Seal (Inkanshoumeisho) from Ward office(original only) issued within last three months
c. Tax-income certificate (Gensenchoushuuhyo) or Income Certificate (Shotoku Shomeisho)
d. Guarantor’s Certificate of Official Registration of Seal (Inkanshoumeisho) from Ward office (original only) issued within last three months
【Tomin Jutaku (Metropolitan residence) 】
a. All members of residential registration certificate (Juminhyou) from Ward office (original only) issued within last three months
b. Certificate of Official Registration of Seal (Inkanshoumeisho) from Ward office (original only) issued within last three months
c. Residence Tax declaration certificate (Juuminnzei Kazei shoumeisho) issued within last three months
d. Salary Income Certificate (Shuunyu Shotoku Shomeisho)
e. Copy of the contract of rental apartment
f. Guarantor’s Residence Tax declaration certificate (Juuminnzei Kazei shoumeisho) issued within last three months
g. Guarantor’s Certificate of Official Registration of Seal (Inkanshoumeisho) from Ward office (original only) issued within last three months
- How many days does it take to move into a JKK Tokyo apartment?
- The tenant has to move-in exactly within three weeks from application date. All documentation has to be completed and submitted within a week. JKK then verifies the submitted documents and if it is proper they send the contract form and invoice to the customer. Upon submission of the signed contract and payment the customer receives the key.
- How much payment is needed to be done on the day the contract is prepared?
- The amount varies but generally it is two month’s rent as deposit and advance rent for the month of moving-in calculated on pro-rata basis.
- How is the key to the apartment received?
- JKK handovers the key to the customer on the day the contract is made.
- What is the procedure for moving out of JKK Tokyo apartment?
- 【General JKK Tokyo Apt.】
Minimum 14 days notice period needs to be served before moving out.
【Tomin Jutaku（Metropolitan residence）】
Minimum one month notice period needs to be served before moving out.
- Are Utility Costs included in the Rent?
- The rent does not include the utility payments.
