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Listings of available apartments
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Apartments are usually rented through real estate agents rather than landlords. Real estate offices can be recognized by listings of available apartments in their show windows. They also advertise on signs in the neighborhood and in various publications.
Conventional real estate companies
The rental system of many conventional real estate companies is not very foreigner friendly.
Apartments are usually rented for a minimum of two years, which conflicts with the fact that many foreigners stay in Japan for less than two years.
Furthermore, most landlords are naturally reluctant to rent their apartments to foreigners who are not able to communicate in Japanese. Some of them will even categorically refuse their service to non permanent residents out of fear of frictions.
Many agents also require you to provide them with information about your financial background and to have a guarantor co-sign the rental contract as another security measure. Certain conditions apply as who can serve as your guarantor. It must usually be a Japanese national with a stable financial background.
Not at last, entering a rental contract with a conventional real estate company is very expensive. A number of refundable and non refundable fees have to be paid, often totaling three to ten months' rent, depending on the company and apartment:
- Reservation fee (tetsukekin)
The tetsukekin is paid when you apply for an apartment, and before the actual rental contract is signed. It serves as a guarantee for you that the apartment is not given to somebody else, and for the agent that you do not change your mind. It is refunded after the actual contract is signed and is usually equivalent to about one month's rent.
- Deposit (shikikin)
The deposit is used to cover eventual future damage to the apartment. The deposit minus the cost for repairs is refunded when you move out. The deposit is usually equivalent to several months' rent.
- Key money (reikin)
This is a non refundable payment to the landlord in the amount of up to several months' rent.
- Service fee (chukai tesuryo)
This is a non refundable payment to the real estate agent in the amount of at most one month's rent.
In most cases, apartments come unfurnished, utilities are not included in the rent, and pets are not allowed. Please read more about Japanese apartments and furniture.
Real estate companies for foreigners
Real estate companies, which specifically target Japan's foreign community, exist mainly in Tokyo and other large metropolitan areas. They offer private and shared apartments for conditions that are much more suitable to the needs of foreigners, and often have staff trained in foreign languages.
For example, they offer rental contracts for much shorter time periods and lower and fewer initial fees than conventional companies. In addition, their apartments are often already furnished, and the cost for utilities may be included in the monthly rent.
Many real estate companies for foreigners operate so called gaijin houses ("foreigner houses"), a very inexpensive type of accommodation, while others target individuals and businesses on larger budgets and with higher requirements.
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English Links
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Furniture Rental Tokyo.com
Furniture rental and sale in Japan. Asian, European and American furniture for expats is displayed near Tokyo Tower.
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Tokyo:
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Tokyo Living - Newly Launched
Premium Rental Apartments - Over 700 Furnished and Unfurnished Properties located throughout Tokyo. Bilingual Support. Move-in Support. Please visit our website www.tokyo-living.com for more information.
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Tokyo Apartments.jp
Providing both Short and Long-term Serviced and Rental Apartments throughout Tokyo. We can a help provide accommodation to fit a wide range of budgets. Please visit our website www.tokyoapartments.jp for more information.
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Ichii Corportation
Over 600 fully-furnished apartments in Tokyo. New, clean, good access and reasonable price range. No start-up fee or troublesome procedures.
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TOHTO Guest House
Key money, brokerage fee, and guarantors not required! Furnished rooms with A/C, fridge, bedding etc. Free internet!
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Tatami Guesthouse
Cozy budget guesthouse in Tokyo. Furnished rooms. No guarantor or huge rental deposit required. Short and long stays okay.
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Shrek Watta House
Budget accommodation in Tokyo, short or long OK! furnished private rooms, self-contained...
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Oak House
Well-furnished guest house; Air-conditioned, TV, refrigerator, bed and Internet connection. Free PC in the lounge room! Single room/Share room.
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Tokyo Cozy House - Tokyo Furnished apartment /guesthouse
Rent/monthly from 22000yen/furnished/utilities,internet included. 1min walk to <the train station, 99shop,river,cycling and jogging road>. To Akihabara/18min, Tokyo/19min. Helpful advice/ trip,&job.
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SIHM Inc
Providing luxury rental apartments and houses of the highest quality in Tokyo. Specializing in expatriate housing in Tokyo. Visit our website for more information.
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Sakura House - Tokyo apartment and guesthouse
Find your home in Tokyo from over 1700 furnished rooms. Guesthouse rooms from 48000yen, furnished apartments from 80000yen per month including utilities & Internet access. No key money, guarantor, agent fee required.
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Seas Company Ltd.
Looking for a home or apartment in Tokyo? Don't hesitate to contact Seas Company Ltd. for all your real estate needs.
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Happy House
Best accomodations in Chiba. We have a guesthouse in Funabashi and new apartments coming up in Ichikawa.
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Housing Japan - Full Real Estate Services
Visit our online showroom of top properties - we specialize in real estate for expats in central Tokyo.
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TokyoApartment.com
A searchable database of rooms and apartments for rent and sale.
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Product Links
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Recommended Book:
A Practical Guide to Living in Japan
This living guide by Jarrell D. Sieff covers every topic from immigration and accommodation to health matters and the Japanese etiquette. It includes lots of valuable advice, important vocabulary and useful phone numbers and addresses.
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