Housing and Living

Housing in Japan

In Japan, numbers and the alphabet are used to express the number and size of rooms. In other words, if it says “2LDK”, “L” means living room, “D” means dining room, “K” means kitchen, and “2” means the number of rooms present other than LDK. Normally, the bathtub and toilet are separated, but in some apartments, there is a style called “unit bath” in which the bathtub, toilet, and sink are placed together. The room size is described by the number of tatami (1 tatami mat is approximately 1.8m×0.9m=1.62m²）. For example, 6 jo (tatami) expresses a size equivalent to 6 tatami mats, which means a room slightly smaller than 10 m².

Types of Rental Housing

Private Housing

Many real estate agencies in Fukuoka City offer intermediary/placement services, and property information such as room layout, rent, and address are posted outside their offices. If you visit a real estate agent in the area you wish to reside in and state your preferences, an agent will find suitable housing for you. If you cannot speak Japanese, ask a Japanese speaker to accompany you. Also, book stores and convenience stores sell magazines specializing in real estate, and it is also common to search for an apartment on the Internet.

Contract and Miscellaneous Expenses

Generally, a guarantor is required to form a contract. It is recommended that international students inquire at their university about the Fukuoka International Student Housing Guarantee System. Also, there are guarantor service companies who can act as your guarantor for a fee. Various agreements are written on the contract, so be sure to thoroughly read it through before you sign it. Most contracts are only written in Japanese, so bring a friend who can read Japanese.

For private housing, you must pay miscellaneous fees other than the rent totaling approximately 5-7 months worth of rent. A portion will be returned when you terminate the contract. Please refer to the chart below for various expenses incurred when renting a house or an apartment。

Item	Cost	Purpose	Availability of refund
Shikikin （deposit/cleaning money）	Equivalent to 3-4 months’ rent	Deposit to reimburse the landlord for unpaid rent or repairs after the tenant leaves	Refund of remaining money after reductions such as repairs or cleaning
Reikin	Equivalent to 1-2 months’ rent	Gift money given to the landlord	No refund
Service charge	Equivalent to 1 month’s rent	Service fee for real estate agents and other letting agents	No refund
Rent	Rent （calculated on a daily basis from the day of the commencement of the contract and added to the next month's payment）	No refund

* Some places may charge for a common service fee.

＜Consultation services for troubles regarding a rental housing contract＞

Fukuoka City Consumer Affairs Center	092-781-0999	Mon.-Fri., 2nd/4th Sat. 9:00-17:00
Fukuoka Real Estate Transaction Association	092-631-2103	Mon./Wed./Fri. 10:00-12:00 13:00-15:00
Fukuoka Prefecture Housing Center	092-725-0876	Mon.-Fri. 10:00-17:00
Fukuoka Prefecture Consumer Affairs Center	092-632-0999	Mon.-Fri. 9:00-16:30

 

Rent
Rent varies by the number and size of rooms, age of the building, location, and more. In other words, if the apartment is larger and has more rooms, newer, and more convenient, it is more expensive than a smaller, older, and less convenient apartment. This does not apply to all places, so please review all the information before making a decision.

Renewal and Termination of Contract
Generally, a contract is renewed every 2 years, and rent can be increased upon renewal. When terminating a contract, you must inform your landlord at least one month in advance (it is also written in the contract). For old houses or apartments, the landlord may request a termination of your contract for demolition or renovation purposes.

Public Housing
Besides private housing, there are city and prefectural housing complexes run by the local government, as well as Urban Renaissance Agency rental housing (UR housing). The benefits of the city and public housing are that they are generally cheaper, and incur fewer move-in expenses than private housing. However, there is an income upper limite, applications are only accepted four times a year, and residents are chosen by lottery. The benefits for UR housing are: tenants are accepted on a first-come- first-served basis if a room is available, a guarantor is not needed, fewer expenses incurred when moving in, and availability for single households. However, the rent is not necessarily cheaper than private housing, and they may have certain requirements such as having a minimum salary level. For details, please contact the management office of each type of housing.

＜Inquiries＞

Fukuoka City Housing Corporation Recruiting Section	092-271-0901	http://www.nicety.or.jp/
Fukuoka Housing Corporation Rent Management/Recruiting Section	092-781-8012	http://www.lsf.jp/
Fukuoka Prefectural Housing Management Section	092-713-1683
Urban Renaissance Agency Kyushu Office	092-722-1025 0120-555-306	http://www.ur-net.go.jp/kyuoki/

 

Neighborhood Associations (Tonari-gumi)

Many local communities organize neighborhood associations, and you are expected to become a member once you reside in that area. Once a year or every season, a small membership fee is collected to be used for various events or services that bring friendship among members. Also, most neighborhood associations conduct a regular neighborhood clean-up. In addition, a clipboard containing neighborhood news is circulated, so when it reaches you, read it, and pass it to the next household.


When You Move In

<Please note :>

● When you enter a house, take off your shoes, and do not wear slippers on tatami mats.
● Many Japanese houses are constructed with wood, so be extra careful when handling fire.

● If you are remodeling your house, make sure you have your landlord’s prior approval.
● It is recommended to take pictures of the inside of your house when moving in to avoid any problems when you move out.
● Many places do not allow pets. Please ask whether pets are allowed before you decide to get a dog or cat.
● Open accounts for electricity, gas, and water services. Follow this link for details.

Furnishings
In general, houses and apartments do not come with furniture, electrical appliances, or phones. Make a preliminary inspection beforehand.

Included furnishings

Kitchen sink, bathroom, toilet, sink, closet, gas and water, electrical wiring and plugs, telephone circuit and jack, etc.

Furnishings that may not be included

Air conditioner, hot water heater, gas/electric stove etc.

Furnishings that need to be purchased

Air conditioner/heater, gas/electric stove, refrigerator, washing machine, lighting, curtains, telephone etc. (these appliances are sold at household goods stores, electrical appliance stores, or second-hand stores.)

 

Air Conditioners/Heaters
Usually, air conditioning and heating appliances are not included in the room, so you should purchase one. Air conditioners are comparatively expensive, but are effective against the hot-and-humid Japanese summers, and the electrical fan or the dehumidifier function provides comfortable living during rainy days. During the winter, the most common heating equipment is a kerosene heater or a kerosene fan heater, and you can obtain kerosene from a gas station. Other heating equipments are a kotatsu (a table with an electrical heater attached to the bottom and covered with a blanket) and an electric carpet

Service for Providing Household Goods for International Students
For international students/language school students living in Fukuoka, the Fukuoka Environment Foundation collects used furniture and electrical appliances through its “Recycle Telephone Fukuoka” program. The Foundation puts up color photos at Rainbow Plaza and accepts applications over the weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) of the second Friday of each month. Recipients are chosen by lottery and are given the appliances for free.

* For details, visit Fukuoka International Association’s service for household goods for international students.

* List of places where you can obtain or buy appliances (recycle shops etc.)

When You Move Out

When you decided to move out, please notify your real estate agent (landlord) or the management office of your public housing at least one month ahead, and start making arrangements for moving out. During this time, you will need to discuss about the refund of your deposit. If you decided to hire a moving company, get several estimates before making a decision.

Please take the following points into consideration such as notifying a change in your address. (Only applies to change within Japan)

Alien Registration Card Change of Address

Go to your new municipal office within 14 days of moving, and change the address on your Alien Registration Card.

National Health Insurance Card

Notify the office within 14 days of moving.

Notification to Public Services

Contact water, gas, and electrical company and begin the necessary procedures for termination of contract, adjustment of payment, use of services at the new location, and more. (refer to each service）

Telephone Removal

To use telephone at a new location right away, contact NTT or other telephone company as soon as you know the moving date and the new address.

Mail

Before you move, notify your nearest post office for a change of address. Mail sent to your old address will be forwarded to your new address for one year after your move. (refer to the Mail section）

Driver’s license / Vehicle registration

Conduct the necessary procedures for changing the address on your driver’s license and vehicle registration.