| Searching
for a property |
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1
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How are floor plans
expressed? |
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Floor plans are labeled 1DK, 2SLDK, etc. "D"
stands for dining room, "L" stands for living room,
and "K" for kitchen. These rooms are usually interconnected
as one common area, rather than separate units. "S"
stands for storage. The head number specifies how many bedrooms
there are.
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2
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Will I be able to
find an apartment or condominium that allows pets? |
| Small pets such as hamsters and fish
are allowed just about anywhere, but few allow cats and dogs. When
searching for a property that allows pets, you will need to use
that as a priority searching condition. |
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3
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What are bathroom
dryers? |
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Often, newer homes have "bathroom dryers"
where there is a heating/ventilation system in the bathroom (which
is separate from the W.C.). Laundry can be hung there to dry.
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4
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What is flooring? |
| "Flooring" refers to hardwood
floors. |
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5
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What is a unit bath?
Are bathrooms and the W.C. usually separate? |
| In most homes, there are separate
rooms for the toilet and the bathtub. "Unit bath" refers
to a bathroom of the two rooms combined. |
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6
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What about heating
and air conditioning? |
| Most Japanese homes do not use central
heating/AC systems. In the winter, floor heaters that emanate heat
from the entire floor of a room/home come in useful. Air conditioners
must be purchased and installed. |
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7
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Why do so many properties
specify "sunny," "good sunlight exposure," etc.? |
| Tall neighboring buildings tend to
overshadow and block the sunlight from reaching indoors. Plenty
of sunlight reaching indoors is a highly valued characteristic. |
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8
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Why is the nearest
train station and distance always specified in property descriptions? |
| This is because the majority of people
in Japan ride trains everywhere rather than driving. The closer
a property is located to a train station, the higher the value. |
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9
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What are the most
popular and valuable conditions? |
| Hardwood floors, good indoor sunlight
exposure, and floor heaters/AC are the most commonly requested conditions,
making them the most highly valued. Regarding buildings, secured
entry is a popular request. |
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10
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What are mansions? |
| The Japanese refer to condos as "mansions."
They are usually high-rise, reinforced concrete structures. The
word "apartment" has a slightly different connotation
here; apartment buildings are usually smaller wooden structures
and significantly less valuable than "mansions." |
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| On
rent and other fees |
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11
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How much does it
cost to begin renting a room? |
| Upon signing the lease you have to
pay advance rent, the security deposit, key money, and the brokerage
fee, totaling about 6months' worth of rent. |
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12
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Is it possible to
negotiate advertised prices? |
| It depends. If a property has been
vacant for a long time or is not equipped with many amenities, it
may be easier to negotiate on them. On the other hand, brand new
properties are almost always impossible. Generally, don't count
on prices being lowered anymore than 10%. |
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13
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How much is the
brokerage fee and is it negotiable? |
| The brokerage fee is one month's rent
plus tax. No real estate agencies will allow you to negotiate on
this fee. |
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14
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What is the key
money fee? |
"Key money" is a non-refundable
fee charged to the tenant at the time the contract is signed. It
is usually equal to about two months' rent.
In Japanese, it is literally called "gratitude fee." This
practice originated when Tokyo was in the state of being reconstructed
after destruction from the war. Suitable lodging was extremely rare
and in exchange for a host's hospitality, tenants would offer a
"gratitude fee". The tradition today has taken the form
of a common fee.
Our clients often feel unpleasantly surprised about the concept
of having to pay a key money fee. Occasionally, non-Japanese clients
mistakenly believe that this fee is directed specifically towards
them. This misconception has no truth whatsoever; please understand
that Japanese and non-Japanese alike must pay this fee.
At our company, we understand that this fee does not exist outside
of Tokyo and can be difficult to accept. As realtors, we feel extremely
empathetic towards our displeased customers and regret that such
an inconvenient policy exists. Unfortunately, it is not in our power
to exempt anybody from this fee. The most we can do for a client
who insists on not paying this fee, is look for properties on the
market with no key money fee. These usually consist of expensive
properties or those that are directed towards expats. However, such
properties are rare and making this choice will greatly reduce the
amount of properties that we can propose to you. |
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| On
guarantors and the evaluation process |
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15
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What is the evaluation
process? |
| The evaluation process is the next
step after you have applied for a property. This is conducted by
the realtor in most cases, but occasionally the owner hires a third
party. The evaluator will verify the information provided on the
application formCconfirm the eligibility of the guarantor, and assess
whether an applicant will be able to afford a property. Some factors
they may look at include current residence, reason for moving, annual
incomeCcompany and job position. If questions or unclear points
arise, you may be contacted by the evaluator. |
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16
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What documents must
be submitted to the evaluator? |
| In order to be evaluated, you must
submit the property application form, state-issued ID, and a brochure
or some other document that will serve as an introduction to your
company and job. |
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17
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I don't have a guarantor.
What should I do? |
| Excluding corporations renting rooms,
it is mandatory to specify a guarantor. A lease agreement cannot
be processed without a guarantor. See next question on whom to ask. |
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18
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What eligibility
requirements must a guarantor meet? |
For expats tenants, a guarantor must
be a Japanese citizen and resident. This is for two reasons. Firstly,
it is easier to evaluate somebody who livesCworks, and has a record
in Japan. Secondly, should the responsibility of making the payments
fall upon the guarantor, owners know it will be easier to contact
a Japanese resident rather than crossing borders to track someone
down.
For Japanese tenants, most properties require a guarantor to be
a parent, sibling, or other relative. By specifying a friendCco-worker,
or employer, you may risk being denied during the evaluation process.
Also, keep in mind that the guarantor is responsible for making
payments in the case that the tenant fails to do so. Their financial
stability will be thoroughly evaluated as well. |
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19
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Is it possible to
share a place with a friend? |
Conflicts often arise between roommates
in this situation concerning the fair sharing of payments. Landlords
are sensitive to this risk and therefore deny roommates the right
to share a property. Although this is not always the case, it is
very common.
Applying for a property alone and then sharing will constitute a
breach of contract. |
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| Other |
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20
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What happens if
I want to move out before the lease term ends? |
| Rather than having to pay rent until
the term ends or subletting, you pay a one-time fee (usually equal
to one month's rent). The exact details are discussed before the
lease agreement is signed and recorded in the explanatory note of
important items. |
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21
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Can I keep small
animals such as hamsters in a "no pets allowed" room? |
| If not specified otherwise in the
contract, the term "pets" usually refers to cats and dogs.
Small pets such as rodents, birds, and fish are generally not a
problem. |
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22
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What will happen
if I keep a pet in a "no pets allowed" room? |
| This constitutes a breach of contract
and you will be asked either to get rid of the pet or to leave.
We recommend that those who plan to keep pets should specify so
right from the start, when beginning the search for a new property. |
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