Room/house search in Japan

There are unique Japanese rules of house rental in Japan.
These rules may seem strange as foreigners but in order to rent a house in Japan, these rules are neccessary.
Make sure you understand this before renting a room.

How much does it cost to rent a room in Japan

Many of the properties that meet your needs require a security deposit or key money.
There are different ways to search, depending on whether you prioritize your own wishes, such as the condition of the house, or whether you prioritize reducing the amount you pay at the beginning.

If the rent is 50,000 yen per month, let's compare the "general rent" with a "cheaper" case.

It's best to make it as cheap as possible, but if there are conditions that you can't compromise on, you should consider spending money.

Generally rented

▼ Advantages

・You can search for a property that meets your needs, such as a new building, clean, close to the station, sunny, or in a convenient location.
・If you use it properly, there is a high possibility that you will get your security deposit back when you cancel.

▼ Disadvantages

- The initial payment is high.

Shikikin	50,000JPY
Reikin	50,000JPY
Guarantor company fee	50,000JPY
Brokerage fee	50,000JPY
Pay in advance	50,000JPY
Fire insurance	15,000JPY
Total amount	265,000JPY

Cheaper case

▼ Advantages

- Small initial payment.

▼ Disadvantages

・Because many of the buildings are old, far from the station, or located in inconvenient locations, it is difficult to find a property that meets your needs.
・There is a high possibility that you will have to pay the house cleaning fee when you cancel the contract.

Shikikin	0JPY
Reikin	0JPY
Guarantor company fee	50,000JPY
Brokerage fee	50,000JPY
Pay in advance	50,000JPY
Fire insurance	15,000JPY
Total amount	165,000JPY

Money required at the time of the first contract

Then, what is shikikin and reikin?
Depending on the contract, some money will be returned, so it is good to understand.

In addition, the initial payment must be made in cash.Cards and loans are often not available, so you need to prepare enough money.

Deposit	This is the money that you have to pay for the owner of the building when doing the contract. If something happens, such as when the floor or wall gets scratched during the contract and you need to repair it, we will deduct money from the security deposit. * Estimated amount: 1 to 2 months' rent (some places are 0 yen) * Basically, if you use the room carefully without doing any harm to the property, the money will be refunded. * Depending on the content of the contract, the money for cleaning the room may be deducted from the security deposit when canceling the contract. *If you do not use the room properly and have to do a lot of repairs, and the repair fee exceeds the amount of the security deposit, you may be charged an additional repair fee.
key money	It's a thank you money to the property owner. * Estimated amount: 1 to 2 months' rent (some places are 0 yen) *Once this money is paid, it cannot be returned.
Guarantor company fee	It is a company that guarantees the person who rents the room in case something happens. If the tenant cannot pay the rent, the guarantor company will pay the rent in advance. * Estimated amount: 0.5 to 1 month of rent (basically you need to pay) *The contract fee may be a few percent of the rent each month, or a renewal fee may be charged at the time of renewal.
Brokerage fee	A fee paid to a real estate company. * Estimated amount: 0.5 to 1 month's rent (basically you need to pay)
Pay in advance	It is necessary to pay one month's rent in advance from the date of signing the contract. * Estimated amount: 1 month's rent (must be paid)
Daily rent	Rent incurred in the month you move in. * Estimated amount: The fee varies depending on the date you move in (must be paid)
Fire insurance	This is insurance to compensate for damage to your home (building) and furniture, daily necessities, etc. (household goods) in your home. If there is a clause in the rental contract that requires you to purchase insurance, you must purchase it. * Estimated amount: Depends on the contents of the rent contract (basically, it is often paid)

Search for a room/apartment without a guarantor

When renting a room in Japan, you are generally required to have a guarantor or join a guarantor company.
However, these conditions pose a high hurdle for foreigners, and they often have difficulty finding a room/apartment.
GTN uses a real estate network of over 10,000 companies nationwide to find the perfect room for foreigners with multilingual staff!

*Guarantee company fees must be paid.

5 points

① You can search for a room even when you are abroad.
② No joint guarantor required (using GTN guarantee)
③ Online site check available
④ Unique Japanese business practices such as security deposits and key money will also be explained in advance.
⑤ We can also handle lifeline procedures on your behalf.

Click here to search for a room