Procedure to move into a new apartment

Many Exchange Students and Foreign Researchers are living in private apartments.
How to find your new apartment is shown.

1.Choose your most suitable living conditions

If you write down answers to the topics below and take them to the real estate agent, it will be easier to discuss them.

• Where you want to live? (Check area name with this MAP )
• How much do you want to pay for your monthly rent?
  (Approximate expenses are detailed here.)
• How large of an apartment do you want? What kind of floor plan do you want?
• How can you check a Japanese apartment's structure and floor plan? (Japanese,English)
• Tips for finding a Japanese apartment (Japanese,English)

2.Going to a real estate agent

Go to a real estate agent and explain that you are an Exchange Student or Researcher, then tell the details of the type of room you would like to rent (as you wrote down). The real estate agent will show you all of the available rooms from their files. (This service is free of charge.)
In Japan, when you find your apartment for the first time, be sure to take a Japanese friend or an experienced Exchange Student (who has already spent significant time living in Japan) with you.

3.Visit the room (free of charge)

Since it is difficult to see the detail in photos or to visualize the floor plan for apartments which real estate agents have available in their company's files, we suggest you visit the room in person before you sign any rental agreement. Also, it is important to know about your future neighbors, and you should feel free to ask the real estate agent about them.

4.Choosing your room

After visiting the room, if you decide to rent it, fill out the document(s) for your request to rent (with other required documents), and make a down payment (deposit). Please note that in some cases, a down payment is not required.
When you first inspect the room, if you should find any damage (scratches, holes or any other visible defects) in the room, report these details to the real estate agent. It is preferable to make a detailed inspection of the room, and, in the event that you find any damage, you should also take photographs to best document your findings. This photographic evidence is for your future protection.

5.Lease contract

After the owner's agreement, the real estate agency will offer you a proper form of lease contract. You will sign these documents, and then pay your moving in expenses (Shikikin, Reikin, Cyukaiasenryo, and Yachin). (Not free of charge.) If you find any damage (scratches, holes or any other visible defects) in the room when you first inspect it, please ask the real estate agent to specifically note these points in the lease contract.
Reference: Necessary documents for moving into an apartment

6.Before you move in

Sign up for house insurance for fire (an extra expense). Also, sign up to start using utilities, including electricity, gas, water, telephone, etc.
To sign up for electricity, gas, water, and a telephone line, see "Living in Japan"

7.After moving in

You move into the apartment and start your lifebr. Always keep in mind about the role and agreement you made in the lease contract.

8.Moving out from an apartment

"To Do List" before you move out

• Give one month's notice to the owner or real estate agent.
• Contact the utility services, including electric, gas, water, and telephone (NTT) company, to advise them you are moving out.
• Go to the post office to sign up for the appropriate postal form to transfer your mail delivery to your new address.
• Pack your bags and boxes, and clean your room

"To Do List" for the day you move out

• Check the room condition with the owner or the real estate agent. Return the room key.

"To Do List" after you move out

• Check out by paying your final bills for your utilities (electricity, gas, water, etc.).
• With your real estate agent, confirm the amount of your deposit money (Shikikin) to be returned.
• Within 14 days after you move into your new place, you must go to the city hall or town office nearest your new place of residence with your Gaikokujin Torokusyomeisyo (certificate of alien registration, also known as your "foreigner identification card"), and sign in with the address of your new place of residence.
  At the city hall or town office, you must sign up for your Kokumin Kenko Hoken (health insurance), or change your address if you are in the same city.

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