How to Rent an Apartment in Japan : 6 Essential Steps You Need To Know

Once you've done a bit of legwork, you can start engaging with agents for the next phase. Once these agents understand your needs, they'll present you with suitable properties and help arrange viewings.

Setting Your Criteria

Embarking on your apartment search, the first step is to establish your basic criteria. It's wise to begin with your budget, as this helps narrow down your options in terms of area and layout. Aim to allocate around 30% of your salary to rent. Here's a glimpse of average rent prices in popular areas:

Ward	Studio	1K/1DK	1LDK	2LDK	3LDK
Minato	¥109,000	¥119,000	¥204,000	¥319,000	¥500,000
Chiyoda	¥103,000	¥113,000	¥179,000	¥281,000	¥480,000
Shibuya	¥95,000	¥102,000	¥185,000	¥297,000	¥476,000
Meguro	¥86,000	¥97,000	¥155,000	¥234,000	¥300,000
Shinjuku	¥79,000	¥95,000	¥157,000	¥239,000	¥302,000
Setagaya	¥72,000	¥85,000	¥135,000	¥172,000	¥230,000
Taito	¥80,000	¥94,000	¥142,000	¥192,000	¥220,000
Sumida	¥80,000	¥87,000	¥135,000	¥171,000	¥180,000
Chuo-ku	¥97,000	¥98,000	¥170,000	¥245,000	¥319,000

After determining your budget, consider the location carefully. Factors like proximity to work, transportation, and amenities matter. Falling in love with both your home and neighborhood is key. Once your basic criteria are set, you can delve into specifics like apartment type, pet-friendliness, and sunlight exposure. While having more criteria may narrow down options, it can also expedite your search. Ensure your basic criteria are in place before reaching out to an agent, streamlining the process from the get-go.

Choosing an Agent

With your criteria confirmed, it's time to meet the agent. These professionals will help source properties based on your requirements. Expect interviews and meetings to discuss your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Providing insights into your work and personal life will help agents pinpoint suitable areas and apartments. Once armed with this information, they'll curate a list of options and schedule viewings, even offering virtual tours if you're not yet in Japan.

Agents serve as intermediaries between you and landlords, facilitating negotiations and providing detailed information on landlord requirements and rules. Once you've made your choice, agents will submit your documents for the next steps.

Tenant Screening

Before progressing further, landlords or property management companies will review your application. Essential documents include basic information like nationality, age, and visa status, along with proof of income. This is a critical step, as landlords want assurance that tenants can meet their financial obligations. Factors considered include income stability, profession, and personality. Typically, a rent-to-income ratio of 20% to 25% is considered appropriate.

Here's a rundown of the documents required:

• Resident Record
• Proof of Identity: Passport or residence card
• Proof of Income: For employees, provide withholding tax; for self-employed individuals and freelancers, provide the final tax return or the most recent tax certificate

Initial Payments

After you've passed the screening test, you will need to pay the initial fees. In Japan, it's common to pay initial fees before. These typically include advance rent, deposit, key money, agent fees, guarantor fees, and fire insurance (if obtained through the agency). You need to pay around four times your rent fee for the initial fees.

Contract Signing

If you pass the screening, it's time to review and sign the contract. Agents will walk you through the contract's contents, ensuring you understand everything before signing.

Pay close attention to clauses like the 'Special Agreement', which outlines terms regarding moving out and other important conditions. Understanding these details will prevent future issues. The standard contract term is two years, with penalties for early termination.

Moving In

With payments settled, the place is officially yours. You'll typically receive the keys on your move-in day. Don't forget to arrange utilities like gas, electricity, and internet. Most of the time, you'll need to handle this yourself. Ensure you notify the power company in advance to avoid any delays in service activation. If you need some ideas about where to get furniture in Japan, check out this article from One Coin English - Furniture Hunting in Tokyo.