Job Discussion Forums

Symphany · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 117

Does anyone know of English speaking Real Estate agents in Tokyo? I'd like to move into an apartment with a reasonable monthly rent without paying a massive amount of key money and agents fees if at all possible. I'm willing to pay a slightly higher monthly rental fee if it means no (or negligible) upfront costs. I know of Sakura house, but I understand that all of its apartments are in central Tokyo, and I work in West Tokyo. I would like to save the commute and stay in West Tokyo as well. I have searched online but all of the major English speaking rental agencies seem to be either very expensive and/or limited to the central Tokyo area. Anyone know of any agents or agencies?

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

You'll find that Kimi Information Center's apartment listings, even the "0 Key Money" ones have a rather high "Move in cost".

http://www.kimiwillbe.com/aparts/hakusanso.htm

Rent: 70,000
Deposit: 0
Agent's Fee: 1 month + 5% tax

Move in cost: Approx. 303,500yen

Something's wrong.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

It's early and I didn't have my coffee yet.

Still, that apartment probably doesn't meet the original poster's criteria of no (or negligible) upfront costs. A weekly mansion or gaijin house is the only way to escape upfront costs, although monthly rents are inflated to compensate. You might be able to find properties that are slated for demolition charge less upfront.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

With that in mind, try Apple House located in Higashi Koganei on the Chuo, Sobu and Tozai lines (2 stations after Mitaka). They rent single rooms with no deposit.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Kodan(government housing) rules, no guarantor needed and all coin refunded when you bail.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Your best bet would be to go to any real estate agent in the area that you want to live, and bring a Japanese friend with you. This is not just for the language assistance. With a Japanese person there (i.e. someone who knows the system) the real estate agent is more likely to be on the up and up.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Dig your sig Rip.