FAQs

Q1: How much are the initial costs for renting a long-term apartment?

A1： As a rule of thumb, the initial costs for a long-term apartment with no key money and no deposit are about 3.5 times the rent. They usually include, but are not limited to, the first month’s rent, guarantor company fee, agent fee, house insurance, locksmith fee, cleaning fee, sterilization fee, etc. The actual initial costs will depend on the apartment.

Q2: I am planning to move to Osaka in the near future. Can I apply for an apartment from overseas?

A2： Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to rent a long-term apartment from outside of Japan. Some documents, such as zairyu card (residence card) and juminhyo (certificate of residence), are required in order to apply for a long-term apartment, and these documents are only issued after you arrive in Japan. However, we do have some short-term options called DBOX apartments. You can simply pay a deposit by PayPal or bank transfer from overseas and move in when you arrive in Osaka.

Q3: What is the application process like for renting a long-term apartment vs short-term DBOX apartment?

A3：

Q4: How long does the application process take? What documents and information are required?

A4: On average, the application process for a long-term rental takes about 2 weeks.

The documents and information required are

For the application

Residence card (Zairyu card; Obtained at the airport when you arrive or at the immigration office)
Employment information (company name, address, phone #, monthly/yearly income, position, etc.)
Emergency contact information (name in kanji and furigana, date of birth, gender, address, phone #, relation to you)
Guarantor information if required (name in kanji and furigana, date of birth, gender, address, phone #, relation to you, place of employment, work phone #, monthly/yearly income, position, etc.)

For the contract

Certificate of Residence (Juminhyo; Obtained at the ward office)
Proof of Employment (Shotokushoumeisho; Can be a copy of your work contract, year-end tax slip, etc.)
Name stamp (Hanko; Obtained at a hanko shop, or we can have one made for you for ￥1,620.)
ID photo (Taken at our office)

There is no application process to rent a short-term DBOX apartment. We only require a copy of your passport or residence card.

Q5:I hear that a guarantor is required for renting an apartment in Japan. Do I really need one?

A5:If you are looking for a property in Osaka, there are many properties that don’t require a Japanese personal guarantor. Having a Japanese personal guarantor will give you more options though. In fact, many of our clients don’t have a personal guarantor. You will definitely need a Japanese emergency contact though. However, if you are looking for a property in the countryside, an expensive apartment in the city or a stand alone house, most properties still require a guarantor.

Q6: What is the difference between a guarantor and an emergency contact?

A6: A guarantor has more responsibilities than an emergency contact. Think of a guarantor essentially as a cosigner; they will be held financially responsible for any damages or unpaid rent if you decide to split and leave the country. That is why Japanese people are so reluctant to be someone’s guarantor. An emergency contact is a person who is willing to answer the phone in case of an emergency. For example, if your apartment is on fire and the management company can’t reach you, they will call your emergency contact to make sure you are safe. Since nobody will call your emergency contact unless something happens, a Japanese friend will usually be happy to be your emergency contact.

Q7: What is a guarantor company?

A7: In order to rent a property, you will generally be required to enroll with and pay for a guarantor company as specified by the landlord. In the unlikely event you, the tenant fail to pay the rent, the guarantor company will reimburse the landlord for the delinquent rent. The guarantor company will then charge you for the rent paid on your behalf.

Q8: I was told that I need to pay for and enroll with a guarantor company AND I need a guarantor. Why?

A8: In some cases the guarantor company will only require you to provide emergency contact information, but in others, you may be required to provide a personal guarantor too. Most guarantor companies contracts will be for 1 year, and the guarantor company fee will be payable at the start of the contract term. After the first year, you will be required to pay a renewal fee, which is usually about 10,000yen.
The guarantor company will pay rent on your behalf if you fall in arrears for whatever reason, then they will bill you for the amount owed, plus a handling fee. Some guarantor companies require a personal guarantor as well in case you, the tenant cannot be contacted, so they have someone here in Japan who they can bill for any outstanding months rent or other payment.

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