Job Discussion Forums

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

Hi all......I remember reading something awhile back about finding accommodation in public or government properties, which are much cheaper than most normal rentals. I've done some searching here, but can't seem to find the info I'm looking for.
Is there a way to find out about these places?
I've read posts where people mention living in them....has anyone done this or known someone who has?
As always, any info greatly appreciated!

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

You might want to start by contacting city hall or your ward office.

Wintermute · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 79

I found my apartment at the city hall. They are cheaper considering their size but they are usually for families so they start around 2LDK and go upwards. I currently live in a 3DK apartment at 84000yen per month (123000yen market value). Each city hall has different rules but with mine I just had to give them a month's notice on the apartment I wanted and then fill out a bunch of paperwork (mainly tax declaration and a certified note of employment from my employer).

The most important thing was finding a Japanese guarantor who earned more money than I did, I was lucky that my girlfriend's father helped me out with it. If you don't have one then it is very difficult (in my experience but like I said each city hall is different). I recommend you go down there and try do it yourself first, don't use an agency - in the end they will take all of your deposit when you leave the apartment (city hall will refund 80% of it) and they do nothing except file your application which you can do in person, even with an agency you have to do all the leg work on the paperwork yourself anyway.

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

Wintermute,
Isn't there also a very long waiting list for such places?

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

Thanks wintermute......by city hall I guess you mean ward office?? Are you in Tokyo......is it the same all over Japan anyway?

I found a link to what I was looking for:

http://www.ur-net.go.jp/kanto/search/search_map_index_tokyo.html

I would also like to mention, that from what I understand, through Japanese people, most of the time you never see the deposit on your place again....anywhere you rent, if it isn't public of course.
My husband and I are thinking about moving and really don't want to have to pay all of the key money, etc.
I heard form someone on another board, and apparently these places rent to just about anyone, and if you have a look at the site, there is a wide range of accommodation!
I haven't had the time....or rather, my husband hasn't had the time to read all of the details.

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

City hall and your ward office are different places.

You're welcome.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

one teacher I work with lives in public housing in Yokohama.
He had to pay key money but he will get it back when he moves out.
He is American and he has a Taiwanese wife.

In Kanagawa there are a couple places where dogs are accepted:
in Yokohama and in Fujisawa.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

yeah....seems these places attract a very mixed bag of people......something that could be pretty interesting!

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

there is public housing in Kanagawa where residents can keep dogs.
This couple has no pets.
My point is this: you don't have to be Japanese or even have a Japanese spouse to live in places like this.

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

City hall deals with the whole city, while the ward office may only exist in larger cities and deals with a smaller region within the city. My own city is small enough that it doesn't have a ward office.

You can perform many similar functions at either one (if both exist), but probably for some things, it may just be more convenient to visit the ward office. You will likely live closer.

Also, the ward office may be a better place to handle things that are ward-related, like your registration for the national health insurance plans and your alien registration card.

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

sooooo.......one who is living in tokyo would go to his/her local WARD OFFICE, or the WARD OFFICE of the part of the city they wish to live to find listings for these places?!
has anyone done this?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Glenski, not in Tokyo at least. As far as I know Tokyo has the prefectural government building in Shinjuku for the whole of Tokyo prefecture, ward offices to represent the 23 central wards, and then city offices which perform the same function for the residents of the 20 or so city divisions in the western half of Tokyo.

Tokyo is probably a special case though, being so densely populated.

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

If you want to find housing in a certain area, it makes sense to go to the officials of that area, be it a city or ward office, not one's own (unless they happen to be one and the same).