Real Estate Japan

Posts Tagged ‘how to rent an apartment in Tokyo’

If you’ve just heard that you have to go to Japan to work for a few years, start looking at your options for apartment or house right now. It’s hard to wait for the last minute to start planning your living arrangements. Hotels are not cheap in Japan. Try the internet and look up top real estate agencies in the city you will be staying whether it to Tokyo or somewhere outside the main capital.

Here are some unnecessary moves to plan:

• Don’t think you can find a place quickly. Japanese are sticklers for getting everything documented and processed before allowing you to move in
• The local newspapers are not going to be of much help since they are in Japanese
• Local real estate agencies don’t normally entertain walk-ins who can’t speak Japanese

Thus, start the ball rolling and recruit the real estate company with staff who can speak English. These companies usually extend their services far and beyond getting you a place to stay. They will also help you shop for your initial grocery needs because all the grocery items are in Japanese. They will also introduce you to your neighbors and teach you a little about the transportation system.
Also, the contracts for leasing an apartment or house in Japan can be a little confusing because of the terms that may be used such as tetsukekin which means reservation fee or reikin which means a goodwill fee that is non-refundable.  Just like in other countries, the landlords tend to be strict, not very friendly, and sometimes a bit nosy. Expect the same although with a good real estate broker, you know someone’s got your back and will explain your side in case of a miscommunication problem.
Finally, expect to pay a broker’s fee for the service but not to worry because you get it back in more ways than one.