Guide: How To Rent A House In Japan

1. Defining Your Priorities and Criteria

Before starting your apartment search, define your key criteria. This includes:

• Budget: Allocate around 30% of your monthly income for rent.
• Location: Proximity to work, public transport, and amenities.
• Apartment Features: Pet-friendliness, natural light, and layout.

Having clear criteria helps streamline the process when contacting agents. Learn about the 3 essential steps before moving to Japan.

2. Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent

Selecting a good real estate agent is essential, but there’s an important fact to consider: nearly all agents in Japan share access to the same database, covering 99% of available listings. This means most agents have access to the same properties and price ranges.

So, what really matters when choosing an agent? It’s about their taste, intuition, and ability to understand your needs. A great agent can navigate this vast database with a keen sense of what suits you best.

At Maido Estate, we believe in building a journey with our clients based on mutual trust and understanding. Our approach emphasizes truly listening to your needs and leveraging our local expertise to help you find the perfect apartment.

3. Tenant Screening and Guarantor Process

When you find a good place, it’s important to act quickly—great apartments often don’t stay on the market for long. If you’re confident about your choice, we recommend not waiting more than a day to decide. Once you’ve made your decision, the process will move to the tenant screening conducted by the rent guarantor company and the property owner.

Each property has its own set of criteria and requirements. Some properties may need a guarantor; others won’t. In cities like Osaka, landlords are increasingly open to renting to foreigners, so don’t be discouraged!

For most applications, you’ll need to provide basic information, including:

• Name, address, and visa type
• Annual income and employment details
• An emergency contact who speaks Japanese

Having a guarantor, such as a Japanese friend or coworker, can increase your chances of approval and reduce upfront costs. Once you’ve applied, the screening process typically takes 1–2 business days.

4. First Payment: What to Expect

Congratulations! After passing the screening, you’re approved to get the apartment. At this stage, the agent and owner will finalize the contract and decide on your move-in date. You’ll typically pay the initial fees to your real estate agent, who will then transfer the funds to the building owner.

The initial payment is often around 4–5 times the monthly rent. Here’s an example breakdown for an apartment with a monthly rent of ¥80,000:

5. Signing the Lease

Once the screening is complete, you’ll need to provide all required documents, such as:

• A copy of your Zairyu Card (在留カード)
• A recent face photo
• Proof of income

The real estate agent will go over the 重要事項説明 (Explanation of Important Matters), which covers key details like early termination penalties and building rules. Once reviewed, you’ll stamp and sign the contract, finalizing the agreement.

6. Moving In

Before moving in, ensure you’ve arranged utilities such as electricity, gas, and water to avoid delays. You’ll typically receive your keys the day before or on your move-in day, depending on the situation. Confirm the timing with your agent to avoid surprises.