Job Discussion Forums

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

I'm trying to get a new place in Gunma-ken. My friend is a real estate agent, and is trying to help me. Here are the key facts:

*I work for Peppy Kids. who will only act as my guarantor if I live in their choice of apartment, which, sadly, is Leopalace. 'Nuff said.

*Asking someone to be my guarantor is a BIG thing to ask, and I'd not want to put any Japanese person I know in the position of having to say no.

*I asked my friend to look for apartments/landlords which would accept me using one of those guarantor companies.

*Sadly, it seems the guarantor companies he's contacted won't accept me, because I'm not a permanent resident. He said it was because my alien card had an expiration date. (In other words, because I'm not Japanese.)

I really, really want to move out of this Leopalace. Does anyone know of any guarantor companies that will help foreigners?

Telling me to "just ask a friend to be your guarantor" isn't what I'm after. And I can do without the snarky comments so many posts usually get, thanks very much. So, to repeat... any tips for a guarantor company that will help me?

Thanks a lot! Very Happy

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

Many times the landlord will designate a guarantor company that you must use. The real estate agent has a bit of leverage with them over this. I had to use Recruit for this and the agent got me a cheaper rate.

I've never been rejected by a guarantor company, nor do I know anyone who has. Searching for 「保証会社　賃貸　外国人」 returned numerous companies that don't have conditions.

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

Thanks for the info, I will show my friend.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

What's wrong with living in a place that is fully furnished and has Internet provided upon moving in? In other words, you do realize that you will have to provide all furnishings yourself (including appliances and sometimes even light fixtures) as well as wait for phone/Internet connection, don't you?

You may very well have to pay 2-5 months' rent equivalent up front just to move in, too.

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

Glenski, yes, I do realize all of that. I have reasons for moving, and the money to do so. My question was about guarantor companies.

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

It shouldn't be a problem, if you go through an estate agent to rent then they will do it all for you. I rented my last two apartments by myself with no guarantor, just be sure to make it clear you don't have one from the start.

I might be wrong, but I think one of the boxes you can tick on the apartment search websites (http://www.athome.co.jp/athome/adlinks/chintai.html?adplpo_athome=062&id=pc_ad_99900000, for example) is whether or not a guarantor is required.

jillybean · Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Posts: 32 Location: JAPAN

What if you agree to be a guarantor, but want to get out of it before the lease is up? Is there a way to cancel the agreement? What will happen to the renter?

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463