Living in Japan,

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Setting Up House in Japan

Going house shopping

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If you have been transferred to Japan. your company will probably prepare your housing for you or introduce you to a real estate agent who can speak English. The system in Japan is probably quite a bit different from where you come from, so it’s good to know what to expect. If you're apartment hunting on your own, getting a Japanese friend to go along will be a big help.

Japanese and non-Japanes a guarantor (hoslwnin), who the rent if the renter default estate agents will reąuire a J; son with indications of s Manding and money. Som have to show a bank passboo

On your own

The rents in Tokyo are hi looking for an apartment o First decide where you wan then the terms and accomm< w ant. Go to a real estate ofFi net. or one of the Fnglish pei

If you don't mind an hoi one way commute. you’ll Fu morę reasonable. But if co what you're looking for. bc pay for it. While many Ji close to the city center w young. they‘11 often buy a

Major differences

Perhaps the biggest difference is that apartments are not rented directly from the owner, but through real estate compa-nies. This gives you a wide variety of choices. but you also have to pay the agent a fee. In addition to the flrst mondf s rent. be prepared to fork over the following:

Binder (tetsukekin): Usually one month’s rent to show that you're serious. With the binder in hand. the real estate agent will keep it for you. This money will be used for the deposit. but if you cancel out. you probably won’t get it back.

Deposit (shikikin or hoshokin): Two or three months* rent goes to the owner.

When you inove out. this will be used to make repairs and cover outstanding rent. You'11 get back anything left over. but don't expect much.

Key money (reikin or kenrikin): One or two months' rent as a “gift” to the owner — if s gone for good.

Agency fee (chukai tesuryd): Maxi-mum one month. by law.

Maintenance fee (kanrihi): For apartments. there can also be a monthly maintenance fee that covers such communal things as outside lamps. elcvators, and janitor senices.

Renter’s insurance (hoken): Most places reąuire you to pay the First year of renter’s insurance. usually around 10.000 yen.

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Internetfor-rent a Mejiro 2 bedrooms

Maintenance fee: Indude 2 mo

Deposit: Key money: Location:

Floor space:

4 montlis 1 month Shimo-ochiai 3-minute wal' Station 130 m-, 5tli fi

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