Housing

How to find housing

Rental rates for housing vary depending on the size of the rooms, the furnishings, surroundings, public transportation access, building age and so on. Land is scarce in Japan, so rental and real estate prices may seem relatively high. In deciding on your new lodgings, it is best to start with a firm idea of your needs and desires. You should also make sure you clearly understand the terms of your lease.

Keys to gathering information

1. Ask acquaintances and colleagues
2. Search the Internet and housing magazines and free papers with rental ads for lodgings that meet your needs and wishes
3. By visiting real estate agents in the area of your choice, you may obtain information not available in magazines or other places

Guarantors

In general, you need a guarantor in order to obtain a lease, although increasingly in recent years there are ways to rent rooms that do not require one. A guarantor is the person who will be held responsible for paying any unmet financial obligations that you may incur. A guarantor must be “an adult with the financial means to support him/herself,” so only those with an income that is adequate to support his/her household can become a guarantor.

Fees and precautions when signing a lease

When renting a privately owned property such as an apartment in Japan, there are generally three fees that must be paid—a security deposit, “key” money and a broker’s fee. It is also customary to prepay the monthly rental fee. Broadly speaking, the security deposit corresponds to two months of rent, the key money corresponds to two months’ rent, and the broker’s fee is equivalent to one month’s rent. After adding on prepayment of the first month’s rent, that means you will be required to pay the equivalent of six months’ rent upon signing the lease.

Security deposit (guarantee fee)

The landlord collects the security deposit as collateral for any unpaid rent or repair costs to the property.

Key money (premium fee)

Key money is also paid to the landlord when you rent a property, but unlike the security deposit, it will not be returned when you move out.
Note:There are rental properties now on the market that do not require the security deposit or key money. In some cases, however, you will be required to pay hefty fees when terminating a lease, so closely examine the terms before signing it.

Precautions when signing a lease

1. In addition to the monthly rental payments, there are monthly maintenance fees. These fees cover the cost of utilities and care/maintenance of joint-use areas such as staircases, hallways and elevators. Parking fees are separate from the rent.
2. Don’t sign (or apply your seal to) the lease unless you clearly understand its contents. Make sure to go over any unclear points with a friend or someone else who is knowledgeable about Japan.
3. The standard lease period is two years. If you need to break a lease before the lease period is up, make sure to give one to two months of advance notice. If you will only be in Japan for a short time, it is a good idea to let the real estate agent know that in advance.

Electricity, gas and water

Electricity

The standard voltage in Japan is 100 volts, and the frequency can be either 50 or 60 hertz. Eastern Japan, which includes Minato City, operates at 50 Hz, while western Japan uses 60 Hz. The appropriate frequency for electric appliances is displayed on the label, so check a product’s label before making a purchase. When moving into a new place, turn on the main breaker switch on the electrical service panel, fill in the attached postcard and mail it in. When moving out, turn off the breaker switch. Minato City is served by Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated (TEPCO), so you will be signing a contract with TEPCO for your electric power.

Inquiries to:
TEPCO Customer Center #1 (Odaiba area),
Tel. 0120-995-001
TEPCO Customer Center #2 (All areas except the Odaiba area),
Tel. 0120-995-005

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday (except for national holidays)
Website: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html

Gas

There are two types of gas: city gas and propane gas. Most of Minato City uses city gas. When you purchase a gas appliance, make sure it is set up for the proper gas type. Before using gas when you move in, you will need to have your place inspected and have the gas turned on by Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. if you use city gas, or by your propane gas company if you use propane gas. When you move out, please turn off the gas and settle your account with the gas company.

Inquiries to:
Tokyo Gas Customer Center,
Tel. 0570-00-2211
Special line for new tenants:
Tel. 0570-00-2230

Water

In Japan, tap water is potable. If the odor of the purifying agent is noticeable, boil the water to remove the smell.

Inquiries to:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks Customer Center,
Tel.03-5323-1100 (for those moving in or for altering an existing contract),
03-5326-1101(for fees, leaks, etc.)
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Website: http://www.waterworks.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/index.html

Concerns related to housing

Redecorating

You cannot redecorate rental properties without permission unless otherwise stated in the lease agreement. If you would like to redecorate, always obtain your landlord’s permission first.
You will not be charged cleaning fees upon moving out as long as there is only normal wear and tear to the property. If wear and tear is excessive or property has been damaged or destroyed, however, repair or replacement costs will be deducted from your security deposit, and in some cases you will be charged additional repair fees.

Things to be aware of

Walls in Japan’s apartment buildings are thin, so sound travels easily in areas of your home that are connected to your neighbors’ places. That can lead to trouble with your neighbors, so be especially careful if you live in a wooden building.

• Try to keep your noise level down
• Avoid using the vacuum cleaner and washing machine late at night or early in the morning
• If you are cooking foods with strong spices, keep the windows closed and do your best to keep your neighbors in mind

Sharing an apartment

Only the persons listed on the lease are allowed to live in the apartment. If you would like another person to move in with you, please get permission from your landlord first.

Rules for garbage disposal

In Japan, the local government handles waste collection. After curbside collection, the waste is directed into different waste categories such as combustibles and recyclables, so the different types are kept apart for collection. Residents are therefore required to sort their garbage and put it out for collection according to the rules of the local government. After moving in, make sure to find out the rules, days and places for waste collection in your new area. If you put out garbage without following the rules, it will cause friction with your neighbors and fellow residents.

<From the Minato City website>
【In Minato City】
Sort your garbage by type and bring it to your recycling and waste collection station before 8 a.m. on the days designated. Combustible waste is collected twice a week; incombustible waste is collected twice a month; and recyclables (paper, glass bottles, cans, plastic PET bottles) and recyclable plastics are collected once a week. To find out your collection days and stations, please inquire at the Minato Recycle and Waste Management Office or ask the superintendent of your apartment building or your landlord.
Minato City has put together the “Waste Sorting Guidebook” (English/Chinese/Korean) and the “Waste Sorting and Disposal Guide” (English/Chinese/Korean) to explain waste disposal practices and etiquette.

Inquiries：Minato Recycling and Waste Management Office, Tel: 03-3450-8025

Waste Sorting and Disposal Instructions

Combustible Waste (collected twice a week)
This includes food waste, waste paper, rubber products, leather products, clothing, disposable diapers, cooking oil, soiled plastic, etc. Place these items in a lidded container or transparent bag.

Notes:

• Drain as much water as possible from food waste
• Before throwing out disposable diapers, remove feces and flush them down the toilet
• Soak up cooking oil using paper or cloth or solidify it with a coagulant before throwing away
• Don’t put combustible garbage in cardboard boxes or paper bags

Incombustible waste (collected twice a month)
This includes ceramics, glass, metal products, spray cans, gas canisters, lighters, incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, and small home electronics smaller than 30 centimeters, etc. Place these items in a lidded container or transparent bag.

Notes:

• Since items like spray cans, gas canisters and lighters that are not completely empty can cause a fire or explosion, be sure to use up all the fuel in them first. Bag them separately from other incombustible waste and clearly label the bag “
  kiken
  ” (dangerous).”
• Wrap hazardous items such as broken bottles, knives and razors in newspaper or the like and label them “
  kiken
  ” (dangerous)
• Dispose of fluorescent light bulbs and incandescent light bulbs in the packing material they came in
• Don’t put incombustible garbage in cardboard boxes or paper bags

Recyclables (collected once a week)
Includes paper items (e.g., cardboard boxes, cartons and magazines), glass bottles, cans and plastic PET bottles

Notes:

• Sort paper and cardboard into the following categories: 1) newspapers and advertisement inserts, 2) magazines, packaging paper, notebooks and packaging boxes, and 3) cardboard (except for wax-coated cardboard). Tie up each bundle with a string. Remove all adhesive tape, metal clasps and paper clips.
• Rinse out paper cartons with white interiors such as milk cartons, then cut them open, dry them out, and bundle with string
• Plastic-coated paper, carbon paper, and heat-sensitive paper are not recyclable, so dispose of them with other combustible waste
• Rinse out food and beverage bottles and cans before throwing away
• Remove all corks as well as any plastic film or metal foil around the neck of wine bottles and other similar containers
• Dispose of bottles and cans with oily residues as well as glass cosmetics and pharmaceutical bottles and broken bottles and cups with incombustible waste
• For PET plastic bottles, remove the caps and labels, then rinse and crush the bottles. Dispose of removed caps and labels with recyclable plastics

Notes:

• Clean soiled items before throwing them away by wiping down with a rag or rinsing them out. Dispose of plastic with oil or chemical residues with combustible garbage.
• Use the “pura-mark” (plastic ID logo) as a guideline when sorting plastics
• In addition to plastic containers and wrapping (such as plastic trays, bags, packets, and cups), plastic products (such as plastic hangers and toothbrushes) are also collected as recyclable resources.

Notes:
Large-sized waste refers to items such as furniture or bedding with at least one side that is 30 centimeters long or longer. A disposal fee is charged for collecting large-sized waste, and you must call to schedule pickup. Contact the Large-Sized Waste Center for collection dates and disposal fees. You can also schedule a pickup online. Purchase a large-sized waste ticket (only usable in Minato City) corresponding in cost to the disposal fee for your item. Tickets can be purchased at participating stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, at the Minato Recycling and Waste Management Office, and at the Collaboration Promotion Section in each Regional City Office. Attach the ticket to the item you are discarding.

Inquiries：Large-Sized Waste Center
Tel. 03-5296-7000
Hours (by phone): Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Website：http://sodai.tokyokankyo.or.jp(Internet scheduling is available 24/7)

When moving out

The following procedures must be followed when relocating:
Necessary procedures (to be carried out three to five days before you move out)