Questions frequently asked by apartment-hunters in Tokyo

Area

What are the cheapest areas to live in Tokyo?

The three cheapest wards are Adachi, Katsushika, and Edogawa. The cheapest average rent for these wards varies between ¥56 000 and ¥58 000. All three of the wards are located in the northeast of Tokyo, quite far away from all the central areas.

Most expensive ones?

The three most expensive areas to live in would be Chiyoda, Chuo, and Minato. Rent for 1 room apartment here will be somewhere around ¥123,000 - ¥140,000.

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Apartment

How big is an average 1LDK?

The standard size for a 1LDK is around 40-50 square meters. You can also find 1LDKs that are 35 square meters, but those often don’t have enough bedroom space. We would recommend you to look for 1LDKs that are above 45 square meters.

Is it possible to find a furnished apartment?

Almost all apartments in Japan are rented out empty. But though very rare, it is still possible to find a furnished apartment in Tokyo.

How hard is it to find a pet-friendly apartment?

Lately, more and more homeowners allow their tenants to have pets. It is important to note that often cats or small dogs will be allowed while moving in with a big dog might become a problem.

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Moving

How to throw away furniture?

Even though there are different rules for different wards regarding throwing away garbage, the overall process for getting rid of large-scale garbage is similar.

1.       You should call or place an online application for your local large scale Garbage Reception Center

2.       Buy a sticker to put on the item you want to get rid of at your local convenience store

3.       Take the garbage outside on the designated day

What is the best time to start looking for an apartment?

As the market is moving quickly and apartments are usually in and out in a span of 1 or 2 weeks, we would recommend you to start looking for an apartment no longer than 1 month before your desired move-in date.

What are the main steps of the move-in process?

When you have found the place you want to move to, the real estate agent will submit your application to a property management company that is in charge of the unit. When your application gets confirmed, the real estate agent will explain all the important information written in your contract and pass you the keys to your new place.

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Costs

What is Key Money?

Key money is a gift money new tenants pay to the landlord and this fee is non-refundable. However, nowadays there are a lot of units that do not require any key money.

What is the average rent for a 1LDK apartment in central Tokyo?

You can find a 1LDK apartment in central Tokyo starting from ¥180 000 - ¥200 000 a month. Depending on the size, location, and many other features the rent can be as high as ¥400 000 - ¥500 000.

What is the average move-in cost?

The initial cost for moving into a new apartment is usually around 3-4 months' rent.

What is included in the initial fee?

The initial fee includes a security deposit, key money, brokerage fee, prorated rent, insurance fee, key replacement fee, and guarantor fee.

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Contract

How long is the average lease contract?

The average duration of the contract is 2 years.

What happens if you terminate the lease contract early?

If you decide to move out early, a cancellation fee might be charged. This matter should be stated in the contract so make sure to read it thoroughly.

What documents do I need to rent an apartment?

Identification documents, proof of employment, and proof of income are the three main documents required to rent an apartment.

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Other

What to look for at the viewing?

We always recommend our clients check the room measurements and make sure their furniture will fit inside the new apartment.  It is also very important to make sure there are enough electric sockets in each room for all your appliances. Before deciding on an apartment we also recommend checking out the neighborhood. It is always good to know where the closest station, supermarket, or a hospital is.

How often do earthquakes happen in Tokyo?

Japan is famous for its frequent earthquakes. Even though it is said that approximately 2000 earthquakes happen in Japan every year, most of them are so small you won’t even feel them. All buildings in Tokyo are built according to seismic guidelines, it is unlikely for them to collapse even if a big one strikes.

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