Tips for Renting an Apartment in Japan: Life in Your Apartment and Moving Out
We want to help relieve some of the issues that sometimes come up when international people rent apartments in Japan. So, we want to explain some of the customs and rules for living in rental apartments in Japan. This part is about "Life in Your Apartment and Moving Out" and is continued from the first article "Applications and Moving In" (https://note.com/actionforall/n/n58d9fedb2ca2). We hope that these will give you some hints on how to have a happy life in a home you like and keep a good relationship with your neighbors.
3. Life in Your Apartment
Starting a new chapter in your life is always very exciting! But when everything starts to feel "normal" in your life, it helps to remember that a good life starts with a little happiness every day. In this article, we want to give you some specific tips and advice on renting an apartment in Japan.
Taking Out the Trash
Everyone living in Japan needs to sort their trash, so you will have to pay special attention to trash rules. In many places, trash is separated into burnable, non-burnable, recyclable and large items. But be careful! The specific rules for each category are different in every town and city.
Also, you will have to take out your trash on certain days if you do not have a 24-hour trash collection service in your building. So, when the collection day comes, you will have to take your trash to the collection spot.
Large items are a special case, and normal collection teams will not pick up these items. You will have to contact your local government in advance and pay a fee to throw away large items. You can arrange the pickup date by phone or online and pay the fees, for example, at the convenience store. On the collection day, you put the stickers you bought on your trash and take it to the collection location.
If everyone follows the trash collection rules, we can keep our living areas nice and clean for everybody.
Noise
No one likes to hear loud noises in their apartment. So, it's important to be considerate of our neighbors and be aware of how loud we are talking, parties, the volume of TVs and stereos or musical instruments. Sounds can also seem louder early in the morning and late at night. If we want peace and quiet at home, we have to also have to give a quiet environment to our neighbors.
What Not to Do
If something is written in your lease, that means it is a rule that you already agreed to follow. Some examples of common items include having pets, leaving personal items in community spaces, leaving things on the balcony or bringing dangerous or illegal items into the apartment. In general, you also cannot sublease your apartment or live with someone who is not on the lease. That means that renting one apartment for many people who are always coming and going is also not allowed. So, please follow these rules, because if you break the conditions of your lease, you could be evicted or have to go to court.
Paying Rent
Knowing how and when to pay your rent is also very important. How to pay your rent is written in the lease, but it's common to pay at convenience stores, bank transfer or automatic deductions from your bank account. Sometimes you might even have to pay the landlord directly, so be sure to check! If you always pay your rent on-time, you'll avoid trouble with your landlord and management company.
Leaving for a Long Time
If you are going to leave your apartment for a month or more to go home or on business trips, it's a good idea to contact your real estate agent or landlord.
Also, usually staying in your apartment longer than the lease is not a problem, but you will have to renew when the lease expires. When the renewal date comes, the management company or landlord will contact you and ask you to fill out some paperwork and pay a renewal fee.
If you have questions about something to do with your apartment, contact your realtor or the management company. They should be able to help answer your questions.
Real Estate Words from this Article
粗大ごみ（そだいごみ）Sodai Gomi
…Large Trash Items. These can include beds, cabinets, shelves or bigger appliances such as vacuum cleaners or lights. Items included in the Home Appliance Recycling Law cannot be picked up by trash collectors (such as air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers.) You will have to contact an electronics store or the recycling center of your local government. They will come and collect the items for a fee.
共用部分（きょうようぶぶん） Kyoyu Bubun
…Community Area. These are spaces in apartment buildings that are shared by everyone. For example, hallways, stairs, elevators, entrance halls, balconies, external walls, etc.
更新料（こうしんりょう）Koshinryo
…Renewal Fee. Money that you pay to the landlord to renew your lease. The owner decides the amount. Check your lease to see if you have to pay a renewal fee.
4. Moving Out
One day, it's going to be time to move, and in Japan we have a saying that "a bird never leaves a dirty nest." This means that you should always finish all of your business before moving on. So, make sure that you get everything done before you move to a new home.
Once you have decided to move, contact your real estate agent at least one month in advance. After you decide your moving day, you will need to cancel your utilities and change your address at the post office.
On the day you move out, you will meet with the landlord and real estate agent to check the apartment after you move all of your things out of the apartment. They will check everything in the apartment according to the check list you used when you moved in and decide if any repairs are necessary. Then after you give them the keys, you will be officially moved out of the apartment.
A few days or weeks later, they will return the deposit to you minus any expenses for cleaning and repairs. In general, you will receive your security deposit back, but you may also have to pay extra money for cleaning expenses or removing any items left in the apartment. Sometimes you might find properties with no security deposit, but be careful: You might still have to pay for cleaning or repairs when you move out. Remember to always check your lease.
Real Estate Words from this Article
原状回復 Genjo Kaifuku
…Cleaning and Repairs. You will need to have your apartment cleaned and any repairs made when you move out. Some damages are the responsibility of the tenant, such as scratches from the bed or cigarette smells. However, normal wear and tear are the responsibility of the landlord.
Conclusion
No matter where you live, the customs and norms will always be a little different. If we recognize and share our cultural differences, we can better understand each other and give everyone a better living environment. If everyone follows the rules, we can all have a comfortable life in Japan.
Useful Links
▼Guide for Rental Properties
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism These guidelines give advice to international residents of Japan on moving into an apartment for tenants and real estate agents. (Available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Thai, Indonesian, Burmese, Khmer, Tagalog and Mongolian.
https://www.mlit.go.jp/jutakukentiku/house/jutakukentiku_house_tk3_000017.html
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Pamphlet "Apartment Search Guidebook" (also available in the above languages)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001317843.pdf
● Rules for Living in Japan
Welcome to Rental Homes in Japan (The JPM Living Guide for Foreign Citizens) Japan Property Management Association Welcome Chintai (Japanese with videos in English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and Nepali.)
https://welcome.jpm.jp/
✳︎LIFULL HOME’S
✳︎LIFULLマガジン
✳︎株式会社LIFULL