How to Rent a House or an Apartment in Japan < Necessary Documents > When you have found suitable accommodation, you need mainly the following documents before you sign a rental contract. 1) Your certificate of foreign resident's registration, and that of your guarantor. 2) Name, address, name of the company and telephone number of guarantor. 3) Statement of income. 4) Passport, ID card, etc. Since the documents required by a particular agency may partly differ from those listed above, you are advised to consult your agent for detail. < Security Deposit / Key Money > When you rent a house or an apartment in your home country, you may not need to pay any money in addition to rent. However, in Japan you may be required to pay a "Security deposit" and / or "Key money". Gift money is compensation that the landlord has the right to claim for creating a tenant's right to use the accommodation. Security deposit is money left with the landlord as security for your rental payments, or in case you damage the property. As a rule, it will be paid back to you when you move out, if you are not indebted to the landlord. However, if you have not paid the rent, or if you have damaged the property, this money will be appropriated to cover the amount of the rent or the repair cost owed. The remainder will be returned to you. Recently, however, some landlords use this money for repair, and they returned you the reminder. So before you sign the contract, please make sure which system the landlord follows. < Furniture and Other Items > In Japan, there are almost no furnished rental houses or apartments. Expect for a sink, you must provide all necessary items, including kitchen appliances, wardrobes, beds, lighting fixtures, etc. < Rental Payment > Generally, payment in advance is common; that is, you pay the rent monthly, on the last day of the month, for the coming month. You may find it unreasonable to have to pay the rent before you use the property. However, this is another custom prevailing in Japan. < Guarantor > No matter if you are Japanese or person from the over sea, the guarantor has to be needed; the guarantor has to be responsible for the tenant. If the tenant is the big famous company, the guarantor may not be needed sometimes. However, if the foreign people try to find the apartment personally, they must need a Japanese guarantor for the most of the cases. They could ask for it to their employers, because the people have to have a job when they come to Japan.

Procedures and Important Points When Seeking Rental Accommodation

1. When seeking rental accommodation, the best way is to approach a licensed real estate agent. In Aichi Prefecture, the Governor licenses certificate agents. Please check if a license reading "Aichi Prefectural Governor (Name) No.," or "Japanese Government (Name) No.," is displayed on the office wall. 2. Your real estate agent will give you information on the housing available. You can ask the agent to give you detailed information about the house or apartment you are interested in. By giving the agent information on yourself, including your occupation, status in Japan, what king of housing you are looking for, the agent will be able to give you appropriate advice. 3. You need to submit an application form to the agent. Fill out the application form and submit it to agent. 4. After the landlord agrees to lease the house to you, you can enter into a rental contract. Read the contract carefully to avoid future problems, and keep it till you terminate the lease. Since problems are liable to arise when you move out, ask your agent to thoroughly explain to you the rules on the use of the property, as well as the rules and any special conditions, if any, on your moving out of the house or apartment. 5. Now, you are ready to move into your new home. You pay the advanced rent, deposit and other necessary payment, make the lease agreement done, you can move in to your new accommodation. Also ask your agent to thoroughly explain various conditions you must pay attention to in using the house or room.