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Tips for foreigners looking for a home in Japan

When starting a new life in Japan, the choice of housing is very important. When looking for a house in Japan, foreigners need to consider language and cultural differences, as well as local characteristics. Here are some tips for foreigners looking for a home in Japan.

1. clarify your budget

First of all, it is important to clarify your budget. The rental market in Japan varies from region to region, but in general, rents are higher in central Tokyo and in popular areas. If you start your property search after determining your budget, you can avoid wasting time and effort.

In addition, when signing a lease contract in Japan, initial costs include a deposit, key money, guarantee fee, next month's rent, daily rent for the current month, and an agent's fee. The total amount of these fees is about three to six times the monthly rent. Some properties offer no security deposit or key money, and some guarantee companies charge a low guarantee fee, so the initial cost will vary greatly depending on the property you apply for. 

2) Make a list of your preferences

Next, make a list of your requirements. Clarifying important conditions such as the size of the room, distance from the station, and the surrounding environment will be helpful when searching for a property. Also, do not forget to list detailed conditions such as whether or not pets are allowed to live with you and whether or not furniture is available. 

3) Use an agent or real estate company

When looking for a house in Japan, it is recommended to use the assistance of a real estate agent specializing in foreigners. There are more than 130,000 real estate companies in Japan and more than 25,000 in Tokyo, but there are only about 100 multilingual real estate agents in Tokyo. You can see how rare multilingual real estate agents are in Japan. However, by finding a real estate agent who specializes in foreigners and using their support, your property search will be much smoother!

4. check the rental agreement

Once you have found a property, check the points you need to pay attention to when signing a rental contract. For example, there are contract terms and conditions unique to Japan, such as security deposit, key money, and the need for a guarantor. Also, carefully check the conditions for cancellation and repair costs. 

5) Research the local living environment

Finally, it is also important to investigate the living environment in the area where the property is located. Check whether there are supermarkets, convenience stores, parks, etc. nearby, and whether the area is safe. Particularly if you are a foreigner living in Japan, you should also pay attention to the local culture and customs.

These are some tips for foreigners looking for a house in Japan. It is important to gather information carefully and find the right home for you when looking for and signing a contract for a property. A shortcut to this is to find a real estate agent who specializes in real estate for foreigners!



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