Living in Japan info *apartment*

Living in Japan info apartment

Sunday, 18. May 2008, 12:19:23

Here's a website which might be helpful for those who looking for apartment somewhere in Tokyo

http://www.kimiwillbe.com/aptrec.htm

The monthly rent is comparatively reasonable i think.
and
no key money & no deposit.

We have very weird old custom for rent a room in Japan.
it's 敷金 and 礼金（in English, it's translated as deposit and "key money")
Besides monthly rent, you have to pay those 2 extra money at the first month.

Deposit is no problem

Basically you can ask to give the money back when you move out
this deposit is used for cleaning up the room when you move out
and also, used as a guarantee.
like, when you can't pay rent, house owner deduct the rent from this Deposit money.

on the other hand,
this "key money" is the weird one.

It can be translated for "a mandatory gift money" to the landlord.
(already sounds weird, isnt it

)
and, well. sorry but this money is non-refunable.
make things worse, it's usually 2months rent

( alright, it IS exactly WTF kind of thing in Japan

)

i dont really wanna give you guys a bad image for Japan
but there's some stupid things like this keymoney..

oh well..

looking for new job 再就活WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier

Comments

happens in brasil as well. there are small differences.
some landlords require you pay 2 or 3 months before moving. it's called guarentee.
its a nice to know a little more from japan.
perhaps i will need the link above in the near future

By lamarca, # 18. May 2008, 12:36:09

i could understand the guarantee system.
that's understandable even though the 2-3months rent is a big money.
i'll give you more info when you coming

dont worry

By naoo, # 18. May 2008, 12:52:22

that depends on the apartment/flat location. they (the landlords) can demand 6 (six) months rent. its on the contract.
glad you will provide me extra info

By lamarca, # 18. May 2008, 13:01:30

lamarca....
in brasil that money is considered a "gift" or will it come back at the end of the contract?

In japan, "REIKIN" is basically a gift you give the landlord to thank him for letting you rent his house. So it's a money you have to say "sayonara" to... it won't ever come back.

I happen to have just rent an apartment in Tokyo, and I second Nao's thoughts: it's pure japanese crazyness!!!

when you seek an apartment as a foreigner you'll front many many problems.
the vast majority of apartments are "GAIJIN DAME"; it means that foreigners are not allowed.

If the agency manage to find you a reasonable apartment you'll have to pay UPFRONT:

2 months or rent (ok)
2 months as a deposit fee (half of it will come back in the end)
2 months as a present for the landlord (crazy shit)
1 month as agency fee (well, ok)
1 month or half to a warranty company because you are a foreigner (may be less if you have a regular working visa and a job.... very rare)

that makes 8 months of rent (just 2 of it are actually rent)...

It's not always this bad; if you search a little bit you can find apartments without reikin and just 1 month of deposit. I found my apartment in Shinuku and it's like this. I had to pay
1 month of rent
1 month of deposit
half month for the meaningless warranty-company
1 month as an agency fee

so it's quite hard on the wallet, but I could take it.

then there are agencies like kimiwibee, fontana, sakura-house...
they have apartments for foreigners, easy to get but a little bit expensive. but they speak english and make an english version of the contract.

Still, I'd recomend a japanese agency (much more professional and helpful)

By dalu, # 18. May 2008, 15:03:04

@dalu:

it's no a gift.
you will not have the money back.
that money makes sure (for the landlord) you wont live in a flat for less than 'x' months. usually 6 months.
let's say your contract begins on june 1st. you will have to pay future months (july, august) before getting the apartment keys.

thanks for your explanation and advices.

By lamarca, # 18. May 2008, 15:24:40

dalu
i know i know i know!!!!! that's such a big money we needed JUST to get a room!!
i really didnt know how difficult to get a room for foreigners in japan.

By naoo, # 19. May 2008, 01:36:37

せっかくアパートを借りることにしたから、落ち着いたら、イタリアンコーヒーを飲みに来てね　

By dalu, # 19. May 2008, 08:05:56

wow

どうもどうも

By naoo, # 19. May 2008, 10:30:24

1 (max 2) month deposit is acceptable imo. but key money?
is it sth like:
if you find a room/flat in a fancy neighbourhood (let's say) you pay $100 extra that you can not take back in the future and (let's say) $50 in a non-fancy neighbourhood again with no return?
I mean like paying extra $$ for the view

By Den1z, # 19. May 2008, 20:18:45

nah
well after ww2, or during the bubble economy there's huge housing shortage and also the rising price of rooms in Japan ( especially in Tokyo)
so, it was pretty hard to find a room or house therefore this key money was born to say "thanks for letting me rent you rhouse."

yeah if it was just a 1-2months deposit then it is acceptable as you said!

By naoo, # 20. May 2008, 00:51:10

"thanks for letting me rent you rhouse."

By Den1z, # 22. May 2008, 10:00:18

Monique writes:

The entire system is sheer craziness and when the market starts to fall they are gonna come begging foreigners to rent their shit-hole apartments. Real-estate in Japan is shit and the country is all about robbing people. Every aspect of this country is about stealing in a "professional way", which is why so many people are jumping infront if trains. White collar crime is the in thing in this country and I refuse to give them all my money to live in a building where are the foreigner they can all come together and ask you to move out!

NO!

By anonymous user, # 20. July 2008, 14:49:29

hahaha point taken.
well, i understand what you feel about this stupid system
even we Japanese has trouble with them sometimes.

anyway, can't help . right?

By naoo, # 20. July 2008, 16:13:01