Essential Information For Long-Term Renting In Japan

Things to consider before renting a property in Niseko, Japan – Tips to prepare you for pre, during and post rental.

PRE

It is a good idea to set up a Japanese bank account to pay your rent from – although oversees transfers are often suitable, you will have to pay any costs involved.

You will need an employers letter or certificate of eligibility to prove your legitimacy as a viable tenant

You will also need a copy of recent pay slips or a bank statement to prove you’re in a position to pay the rent required each month

You will need to supply a domestic emergency contact – if you do not have friends or family in Japan who can help you with this, ask your employer

If possible, you should provide a character reference separate to your emergency contact to improve your chances of having your application accepted

If you would like to pay monthly, you will need to have a guarantor or guarantor insurance. A guarantor will pay the rent owed if the tenant fails to pay. If you cannot obtain this, you must pay the full cost up front.

If utilities are not included in the rent, you must start your own contracts with the utility companies (gas, water, electricity, heating oil). One should considering creating an automatic paying system for services for greater ease and to ensure no bills are missed.

The tenant must possess the funds to cover the long list of upfront costs that are often demanded:
Security deposit (1-3 months rent)
Key money (1 months rent)
Agency fee
First month’s rent
Property insurance
Maintenance fee
Key exchange fee

DURING

Rent must be payed on time – punctuality is an important part of Japanese culture

The tenant must possess enough money to cover the monthly bills additional to rent, including:
Snow-clearing fee
Management fee

Tenants must abide by the unwritten rules of Japanese society, such as:

• No problems/trouble/stress caused to neighbours and surrounding community
• No loud noise/parties after 10pm
• Follow local rubbish and recycling system correctly
• Only park in designated parking area/s Tenants must use mattress protectors

If the apartment has tatami, shoes must not be worn inside to prevent damage or staining

If the apartments have Toyu heaters, they must be cleaned and taken care of by the tenant. If they’re not taken care of properly and break, the tenant is responsible for the repair.

When paying for a Toyu refill, an appointment is usually needed and the cost must be payed cash in hand. Contact your local gas service station for details of how to refill

If the apartments have a septic pump-out system, a contract must be set up with a local company to provide the pump-out service. We recommend Hosoda Takagi

Recycling bags must be bought from your local convenience store and used appropriately. The following link is of the different bags and the local Niseko garbage bag dealers
https://www.town.kutchan.hokkaido.jp.e.acx.hp.transer.com/Living_Information/gomi-risaikuru/kateigomi/gomitesuuryou/

Recycling is collected at 8am on Monday morning, every week. However, recycling should be done on Sundays and no earlier to prevent any rotting/smell

Recycling must be separated correctly

POST

Any tanks such as a heating oil tank (Toyu) that were full on arrival must also be full when leaving

When you move to a new residence, the deposit is commonly used to pay any outstanding rent, make repairs and clean the house/apartment as necessary. The balance, if any, is refunded to you when you move out.

Upon leaving, all bills must be paid

Generally, notification of leave must be given half a year before vacating the property

Before vacating the property, the Tenant must have payed the bills for services such as:
Departure cleaning fee