Kamagaya City - Housing

Renting Private Accommodation

People can look for houses and apartments to rent at real estate agents and in magazines. When it is time to sign a contract, most realtors will ask you for a Japanese guarantor. It is recommended that you bring a working colleague or friend to the realtor acting as your guarantor.

Expenses that you will incur

When signing a contract, you have to have enough cash to cover the cost of rent, the common service fee (maintenance fee), deposit, key money, and the realtor’s fee. These often add up to five to six months’ rent.

You will usually need to provide your own appliances, furniture or bedding when you rent a house or apartment.

Rent
One month’s rent must be paid to the landlord at the end of the month for the following month.

Common service fee (maintenance fee)
Covers the cost of lighting and cleaning the stairwells and other public areas of your building

Deposit
Two to three months’ rent paid to the landlord to pay for repairs or cover your rent in case you are unable to pay. When you vacate, the deposit money is used to fix up the rooms for the next tenants, and the rest will be refunded.

Key money
One-time non-refundable payment of one to three months’ rent to the landlord

Real Estate Rights fee
Commission equivalent to about one month’s rent paid to the real estate agent

Rental contract

Once the rental contract is concluded, the Real Estate Rights fee and rent you already paid are usually not returned. Keep your rental contract, because you will need it to have your deposit returned when you move out.

You are not allowed to remodel your house (room) without the landlord’s permission or have anyone live with you who is not covered by the rental contract. The contract period is usually two years. When two years have passed, you have to extend the contract, and the landlord may raise the rent at that time.