Real Estate Terms You should know When Renting Housing
| Guarantor | This is a person who pays unpaid rent or unpaid repair costs after you vacate rental housing when you do not/cannot make the payment yourself.A guaantor is required when applying to rent rental housing.Guarantors must have an income that exceeds a certain level. |
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| Agency Fee | This is money that is pa as a fee to the real estate agent and is set within 1 month rent. |
| Application fee | This is money that is paid to the real estate agent when reserving a rental agreement.Check f the application fee is returned if a rental agreement is not formed. |
| Important Points Explanation | When a real estate agent is acting as the agent for rental housing,the real estate agent will explain the important points of the rental agreement to the renter(potential renter)before the rentalagreement is singed and an important points explanation sheet will be given to the renter.The important points regarding the state of equipment,handling of the security deposit,etc.,will be explained,so listen carefully and ask questions when you do not understand something. |
| Security Deposit(Guarantee Money) | The security deposit is deposited with the landlord at the time the rental agreement is singed as a safeguard against non-payment of rent or repairs required when the rental housing is vacated.Any remaining security deposit after settle of expenses at the time the rental housing is vacated is returned yo you.However,if there are expenses for original condition restoration or to dispose of belongings left on the housing,etc.,such expenses will be subtracted from the security deposit.If the cost of original condition restoration exceeds that amount of the secuity deposit,you must y the difference.In some areas the security deposit is called guarantee money. |
| Key money | This is money that is paid t the landlord at the rental agreement signing.Key money is often required in the Kanto Region and is usually 1or 2 months rent.Key money is not returned.Recently there is some rental housing that does not require key money torent. |
| Damage Insurance Premium | It is common at rental agreemnt signing to acquire damage insurance coverage to protect against fire or water damage caused y the tenant. |
| Rent Liability Guarantee Company | A rent liabiiiiiiiii guarantee company is a company taht guarantees to pay the rent to the landlord in the event that you do not pay the rent.To use such a company,you must pay a set guarantee fee(this is often 35% to 50% of one month's rent paid in advance as the guarantee fee for 2 years).However,this is not insurance.The guarantee company will bill youfor the rent hat it pai for you. |
| Renewal Fee | This is money paid to the landlord by the renter when the rental agreement is renewed to contnue the agreement and is specified in a special term in the rental agreement.The contract period is normally 2 years. |
| Original Condition Restoration | You must pay the expense incurred to restore the rental housing to its original conditions when it has been damaged or dirtied willhully,negligently,or carelessly by you.This is called the original condition restoration fee and is subtracted fromthe security deposit when the housing is vacated.Take care to keep the housing clean and n good repair. |
| Termination notice | To terminate the rental agreement before the end of the agreement period,you must inform the landlord or realestate agent of your intent to terminate applying in advance(the advance period requirement is stated in the rental agreement and is usually 1or 2 months). |
Documents required when making a rental agreement
Certificate of Registered Items in th Foreign Resident Registry,pssport,proof of earnings,student registration certificate,etc.
Guarantor's proof of earnings and seal registration certificate
Payments required when making a rental agreement
Security deposit,key money,agency fee,damage insurance premium,rent common service fee,etc.
Caution
Rent
This is the charge for renting the housing,and generally the rent for the current month is due at the end of the previous month.If you move into or out of housing after the first day of the month,the rent for that month in principle will be prorated.
Wearing shoes in the house is prohibited
Japanese houses have a step up from the entrance to the hall or room. Shoes are removed in the entrance before entering the rest of the house.In Japan,people sit diectly on the floor or on a cushion placed n the floor.So sure toremove yor shoes in the entrance.You must not enter the rest of the house with your shoes on.
Setting out the garbage
If you do not set out the garbage at the appointed time,it will not be collected even if you separate it properly,and this will often cause trouble with the neighbors.Be sepecially careful to observe the appointed day and time.
Items that need to be checked
・Days and time the garbage is t be set out
・Location where the garbage is to be set out
・Separation of burnable and non-bunable garbage
・Separation of recyclable waste(bottles,cans,PET plastic bottles,newspapers,etc.)
・How to dispose of large items,etc.
Using the kitchen
Do not wash grease or food scraps down the sink drain.Absorb the grease with newspaper or other material and put it in the burnable garbage
How to use the housing
Living with people other than those stated in the rental agreement or sub-leasing the housing to another party are infractions of the rental agreement.