How to rent an apartment in Tokyo for foreigners - including rent rates

update date 2024/05/24

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Illustration of how to rent an apartment

Foreign residents, when you start looking for a place to live for your new life in Tokyo, do you have many concerns and questions?

It is natural to feel confused, such as "I don't understand the real estate situation in Japan at all," "It will be difficult to find a place because of the language barrier," and "How much rent should I set in my budget?" It is natural to feel confused.

The Japanese rental market has unique customs that are unfamiliar to foreigners, but with the right knowledge and support, you should be able to overcome them.

Therefore, in this article, we would like to share with you our know-how on how to smoothly rent an apartment in Tokyo for foreign residents. It is full of practical information ranging from rent rates in major areas of Tokyo, types and features of properties, rules for renting properties unique to Japan, and points to consider when screening tenants.

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Basic information for foreigners looking for housing in Tokyo

To start a new life in Tokyo, you should first understand the types of rental properties and the rent market. The Japanese rental market has unique rules and business practices that are unfamiliar to foreigners. It is important to understand these basic information before you begin your search.

What are the types of rental properties in Tokyo?

Rental properties in Tokyo fall into five main types

1. detached "single family" house

A house is attractive because of its freedom, but unfortunately there are few rental properties available for individual foreigners. Cultural and language barriers seem to be a barrier.

2. public housing complexes "apartment complexes

Apartment complexes are similar to low-cost housing complexes in other countries. However, since they are public housing, government approval is required for foreigners to move in. The drawback is that the procedures are complicated.

3. two-story "apartments" of wood or light steel construction

Apartments are somewhat different from apartments in other countries, as most of them have one or two rooms and are suitable for one person or a small group of people. Because rent is relatively inexpensive, they are preferred by foreigners who are staying in Japan for a long period of time.

4. "Condominiums" of three or more stories, which are of a higher grade than apartments

Condominiums are like condominiums in other countries, where you can choose a floor plan to suit the number of people, from a single person to a family or a group of friends. They offer higher grade and security than apartments, and their relatively reasonable prices make them popular among foreigners.

5. "Shared house" shared by several people

Shared houses are properties that utilize condominiums or serviced apartments, and are often found in convenient locations in the city center or in areas with a foreign community. They are popular among foreigners staying for short periods of time because the contracting process is simple and they are furnished with common furniture and appliances.

In addition, if you are looking for information specific to finding a share house, please take a look at this article.
▶︎ List of websites to find a share house in Japan - How to find a property that welcomes foreigners

Due to the above property conditions, many foreigners who stay in Japan for a long period of time use apartments or reasonable apartments with affordable rent. Next, let's take a look at the market rent in Tokyo.

What is the rent rate for apartments in Tokyo?

If you are starting a new life in Tokyo, not only rent but also accessibility is an important factor to consider. Let's take a look at the approximate rent prices in the main areas of Tokyo's 23 wards, roughly divided into the central Tokyo area and the downtown area.

Room size (approximate number of people)	Rents in central Tokyo (e.g., Shibuya, Shinjuku, Minato-ku)	Rents in the downtown area (e.g. Sumida, Taito and Arakawa wards)
STUDIO (1 person)	Approx. 80,000-110,000 yen	Approx. 60,000-80,000 yen
1K - 1DK (1 person)	Approximately 90,000-130,000 yen	Approx. 70,000-90,000 yen
1LDK - 2DK (1-2 people)	Approx. 120,000-200,000 yen	Approx. 100,000-130,000 yen
2LDK - 3DK (2-3 people)	Approx. 200,000-300,000 yen	Approx. 120,000-160,000 yen
3LDK - 4DK (3-4 people)	Approx. 250,000-400,000 yen	Approx. 150,000-200,000 yen

(annotations K=kitchen, D=dining room, L=living room)

Reference:Find information on rent and market rent in Tokyo｜suumo

Depending on the location and the size of the room, the rent of a rental property can vary greatly. In order to decide on your desired residence from among the many available properties, you should consider the following criteria: (1) budget, (2) accessibility to the city center, and (3) the presence or absence of a foreign community.

Finding a place to live in Tokyo comes with some restrictions and difficulties. However, understanding Japan's unique rental rules in advance and using reliable real estate agents and rental information websites will greatly reduce the hurdles.

Once you understand the market rent in Tokyo, let's check out the most popular residential areas for foreigners.
▶︎ This is the place for foreigners to live in Tokyo! Top 5 Most Popular Residential Areas for Rent

Also, see the following article for information on areas in Tokyo where rent is relatively inexpensive.
▶︎ List of areas in Tokyo with inexpensive rent and rent prices

Be aware of the unique rental situation in Japan, which is difficult for foreigners to understand.

There are a number of unique Japanese rental rules for foreigners renting apartments in Tokyo. These are unfamiliar to foreigners and difficult to understand.

There is a culture of key money.

Key money is a kind of "thank-you" money paid to the landlord or management company when you rent a room. Usually, the amount is equivalent to one or two months' rent, and it is not refundable. Many foreigners seem to wonder why a tenant pays a lender a thank-you.

Security deposits (deposits) are not fully refundable.

Japan also has its own rules regarding the security deposit (shikikin). While it is common in other countries for the full amount of the security deposit to be refunded when moving out, in Japan, the room cleaning and restoration fee is deducted from the deposit, and only the remaining amount is refunded. Please note that in some cases, you may receive additional charges.

Renewal fees will be charged at the time of renewal.

When renewing a lease, you will be asked to pay a renewal fee. This is also non-refundable, as is the key money. Although it should be beneficial for the landlord to extend the contract and continue to live in the apartment for a longer period of time, the system is the exact opposite of overseas, where the 逆に tenant bears the cost.

Many of the properties for rent are unfurnished

While the majority of rental properties in other countries are furnished or equipped with home appliances, most properties in Japan are rented without furniture or home appliances. Even if you go through the trouble of signing a contract, you will not be able to start your new life smoothly if you do not have any household goods necessary for living. Using a furniture and appliance rental service is one option, but the expense of large furniture and appliances is high, and the cost of moving can be high.

These Japan-specific rules can be a significant burden for foreigners. It is essential to gather information in advance and be well prepared and ready.

When looking for a rental apartment, you may want to search for keywords such as "no deposit and key money" or "furnished". In recent years, services for foreigners have been increasing, and there are real estate agencies that can take care of complicated procedures on your behalf.

Basic Procedures for Renting an Apartment in Tokyo for Foreigners

When a foreigner rents an apartment in Tokyo, he/she must pass a number of screening procedures and provide the necessary documents. Here we will explain the general method of finding an apartment for rent and the items required for the screening process.

How to find an apartment for rent in Japan

The main ways to find a rental property in Japan are as follows

Use real estate portal sites Major real estate portal sites such as SUUMO and HOME'S allow you to search a vast amount of property information. Some sites are available in multiple languages, making it relatively easy for foreign residents to search for properties.
Consult directly with a real estate agent In many cases, Japanese language skills are required for on-site property tours and contracting procedures. If you feel a language barrier, it is wise to use a real estate agent that offers services for foreigners.
Use company housing or dormitories If you work for a company, company housing or dormitories may be available. Check with the person in charge at your company. In many cases, they are furnished with furniture and appliances.

Whichever method you choose, property information is usually written in Japanese. If you do not understand Japanese, you may want to enlist the help of a trusted Japanese friend or an interpretation service.

What you need to do to pass the tenant screening

Once you have decided on a property, the next step is the tenant screening. In order for a foreigner to pass the screening, the following conditions must be met.

The applicant must have a stable income and be able to pay rent on time. The screening process requires a certain level of monthly income and continuity of occupation. In some cases, proof of employment or income may be required.
You must hold a valid status of residence. You will be required to submit a copy of your residence card. Please note that the examination may not proceed smoothly at the time of switching from a college student visa to a work visa.
Being able to have a co-signer. Having a Japanese guarantor is a hurdle for foreigners, but this can be solved by using the services of a guarantor company.
Ability to communicate in Japanese Japanese Communication with property owners and management companies may require Japanese language skills. If you are concerned about your Japanese language skills, we recommend a real estate agent with support for foreigners.

Carefully prepare the necessary documents. It is important to keep your residence card updated with the latest information.

Please take the above steps to find the ideal property.

Easiest way for foreigners to find the best place to live in Tokyo.

For foreigners starting a new life in Japan, the burden of initial expenses is a major challenge. From signing a housing contract to purchasing daily necessities, expenses tend to mount up. Here, we will introduce some useful information to help you find a comfortable home while keeping costs down.

Choose "no deposit and key money" to save on the initial cost of the contract.

Shiki-kin and key money are typical rental rules that are difficult for foreigners to understand. Paying as much as two to three months' rent can be a major initial expense.

In recent years, an increasing number of properties, mainly from major real estate companies, do not require a security deposit or key money. The simplicity of the contract process and the ability to significantly reduce initial costs have made these apartments increasingly popular among foreign residents.

You can search for properties with no key money or key money deposits on real estate portal sites. Try using keywords such as "no key money and no key money" or "zero-zero properties."

We recommend the following rental information with no deposit and key money.
▶︎ 【Best-Estate.jp】 Best Estate - Japan's Largest Information Site for Foreign Residents

Choose a "furnished" apartment, complete with household goods, ready for immediate occupancy.

Most rental properties in Japan are unfurnished. Fully furnished" and "Semi Furnished" properties, which are common in other countries, are rare.

Starting a new life from scratch can be a challenge, even just getting the necessary household goods together. On the other hand, with a furnished apartment, you can start your new life right away by simply bringing in your belongings. Although it is a bit more expensive, it is an economical option when you consider the total cost of moving.

Furnished apartments can also be found on specialized rental websites. We also recommend the following multilingual sites
▶︎ Live in Japan

For short-term stays of less than one year, renting furniture and appliances is also worth considering. The advantage is that you can reduce the initial investment and move in light.

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summary

For a foreigner to rent an apartment in Japan, there are many difficulties such as language barriers and cultural differences. It is most important to understand the unique rental situation in Japan and to have a reliable support system in place.

Please use the basic information presented in this article to help you find your ideal home. We wish you a fruitful new life in Tokyo.

Please take advantage of our various support services to help you find the best housing in Tokyo. We hope that you will enjoy your life in Japan with peace of mind, from choosing a property to living there after moving in.

Also, to learn more about the costs of living alone in Tokyo, check out this article.

▶︎ How much does it cost to live alone in Tokyo? Detailed explanation of rent, utilities, etc.