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boogiet
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
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 Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:49 pm Post subject: How to get apartments? |
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How do people go about finding apartments in Tokyo?
Or is that done through schools? |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject: Re: How to get apartments? |
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| boogiet wrote: |
How do people go about finding apartments in Tokyo?
Or is that done through schools? |
If you haven't been to Japan before, you don't have much choice other than to either go though your workplace or stay in a guesthouse/hostel.
Most apartments require about 5 months worth of rent money to even move in and are COMPLETELY unfurnished (you'll need to buy light fixtures, a bathtub and even freaking water heaters if you want hot water in many cases!). So, add to 5 months rent the cost of furnishing everything, getting utilities set up. Think between US$4000-$8000 just to move into a place and have basic furnishings.
Not finished yet, oh no. You also need to find a real estate agent who speaks your language AND has apartments available where the landlords will even consider renting to a foreigner in this very racist country. Even further, if you actually have the money and a landlord willing to do business with a foreigner, you need a Japanese person to guarantee that you are a dependable person (if you aren't, they get stuck with your bills and are pretty much screwed for the rest of their lives). Luckily, there are guarantor services that will act as a guarantor for you... but many landlords do not accept these guarantor companies! They often only accept a Japanese person and may ask, in addition to their signature, the workplace, salary, bank account information and family history of your guarantor.
Holy f@king sn!t you're probably saying... well this is how it is in Japan.
I recommend getting a place through your workplace who will usually take care all of these upfront fees and hassles, or stay in a hostel, until you can get your own place. If you're only staying a year, don't even think of getting your own place. |
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southofreality
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Tokyo
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| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: How to get apartments? |
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| boogiet wrote: |
How do people go about finding apartments in Tokyo?
Or is that done through schools? |
An option if you don't speak Japanese:
http://www.kimiwillbe.com/ |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:15 am Post subject: Re: How to get apartments? |
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[quote="southofreality"]
Most of their apartments still require one or two months deposits and possibly key money as well, are usually unfurnished, require a months fee to be paid to kimi as a service charge and you'll still need a guarantor. The only problem solved is the English bit. They do have some furnished apartments listed, as well as some that don't require deposit money or key money, but if I recall their selection wasn't great as is limited to the west and north Tokyo areas. I had an apartment through them a few years ago, but have stuck to Japanese real estate agents since. They have a WAY better selection, although if you don't speak Japanese, have someone to help you or have a guarantor, this might not be an option.
Another couple of options are Sakurahouse and Leopalace.
Sakurahouse apartments are sometimes furnished and don't always need deposits or key money, but are usually 25-50% above market value if I recall correctly. If you're an English teacher, this isn't really an option as most of their apartments are out of your price range.
Leopalace apartments are small. If you're on your own, this is an option. Rent is perhaps slightly higher than the market value, but it includes all utilities. They do seem to have a "membership fee" which is a couple months rent, so you'd still be paying a few hundred thousand yen just to move in. At least they rent to foreigners. |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:01 am Post subject: |
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Utilities are not always included in Leopalace fees. My rent is considerably lower than what a normal person renting directly through Leopalace would pay on a monthly basis to live in the same block, but I am responsible for my own electricty and water usage costs (not gas since only the water heater runs on gas which we have no control over.)
Also I don't think I paid any membership fees, but I had to pay 2 and bit months rent up front and some fees for key exchange, initial cleaning, etc. I paid a bit under 200,000 to move in but at least I won't have any rent to think about until the end of May for June. |
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