Basic Rental Terms
- 家賃 (Rent)
- The monthly rent of the property. You generally have to pay the rent in advance. For example, November's rent is due on 25th of October. And December's rent is due on November 25th an thereafter.
- 日割り家賃 (Pro-rated Rent)
- If you move in during the middle of the month, your rent will be pro-rated by the number of days you actually rent for the first month. Also, your rent will be calculated from the day your lease starts, not your actual move-in date.
Pro-rated rent calculation : (Monthly Rent ÷ 30 days) x number of days - 共益費 (Common Area Maintenance Fee)
- These are the fees the Tenant pays in addition to rent, to cover maintenance and management of communal facilities in apartments.
- 日割共益費 (Pro-rated Maintenance Fee)
- If you move in during the middle of the month, maintenance fee just like the rent will be pro-rated by the number of days you actually rent the first month. Also, your rent will be calculated from the day your lease starts, not your actual move-in date.
Pro-rated maintenance fee calculation : (Monthly Maintenance Fee ÷ 30 days) x number of days - 駐車料金 (Parking Fee)
- The monthly parking fee of the parking lot. The fee is due as the same time as the monthly rent.
- 日割駐車料金 (Pro-rated Parking Fee)
- If rent the parking lot in the middle of the month, the parking fee just like the rent will be pro-rated by the number of days you actually rent for the first month.
Pro-rated parking fee calculation : (Monthly Parking Fee ÷ 30 days) x number of days - 敷金 (Deposit Money)
- Money to deposit to the landlord throughout the term of your lease, and will use the money to cover any unpaid rent or to pay for repairs beyond normal wear-and-tear and cleaning fees when you move out. Recently, landlords not requiring deposit money are increasing.
- 礼金 (Key Money)
- This is a gratuity you pay to your landlord, and it will not be returned to you when you vacate your apartment. Key money is usually about one to two month’s rent. In kitakyushu, the key money is generally one month's rent. According to some students, key money tends to much higer in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.
- 仲介手数料 (Service Fee or Agent Fee)
- This is the fee you pay to your real estate agent for their service. By law, the maximum that your agent can charge you is one month’s rent plus consumption tax.
- 消費税 (ConsumptionTax)
- This is tax paid to the govenment of Japan. At the time of this article, the consumption tax is 10%.
- 火災保険料 (Housing Insurance or Renter's Insurance)
- As part of the contract, you are require to obtain housing insurance. It is a non-life insurance premiums to cover damages to the rental property from fire or water leakage. If your are a foreign student, please confirm with your educational instutuion, schools may provide cheaper insurance option.
- 清掃料 (Cleaning Fee)
- The cleaning fee can varies from ¥1,000 ~ ¥1,200 per square feet or a starting minimum of ¥35,000. Our company as of this writting has fixed the cleaning fee to ¥24,200.
- 保証協会保証料 (Guarantor Company Fee)
- In Japan, a co-signor or guarantor is called a ‘hoshonin’. As this person is agreeing to fulfil your financial debts, they must prove they have the financial means to pay. Most Japanese people ask a parent or close family member to be their guarantor. For foreigner, they are require to use a guarantor company to act as the guarantor. These guarantor company charges a fee from ¥15,000 ~ 80% of rent. The tenant must reimburse the guarantor company in the event that the company is forced to pay an overdue rent (a service fee is charged)
- 鍵交換 (Door Lock Exchange Fee)
- You have to option request the real estate company is have the lock to your room changed. The fee varies depending on the locksmith.
Activation & Closing of Utilities (water, gas, electric)
In Japan, tenants are the ones who need to activate the utilities like electricity, gas, and water when you first move into a new place. It is also the tenant’s responsibility to close utility contract at the place you are moving out. After signing your rental contract the real estate company will give you the telephone number to the local electricity, gas and water company.
If you have difficulty with Japanese, you can request your school's student office to activate the basic utilities on your behalf or you can also ask the real estate company to help your out. Please note that real estate company can help you activate the utilities but they CANNOT close the utilities on your behalf when you leave.
If you have difficulty with Japanese, you can request your school's student office to activate the basic utilities on your behalf or you can also ask the real estate company to help your out. Please note that real estate company can help you activate the utilities but they CANNOT close the utilities on your behalf when you leave.
Electricity | Kyushu Electric Power | 0120-639-452 |
Water | Kitakyushu City Water and Sewer Bureau | 093-582-3031 |
Gas | Check with Honjo Real Estate Corporation | 093-601-0004 |
Trash / Garbage Disposal Schedule
In Japan, tenants are expected to throw out their household trash using Kitakyushu city designated trash bag. The designated trash bag can be purchased from any nearby convenience store. Please check with real estate company for the location of the trash pick-up point for the property that you rented.
You are supposed to put the trash out for pick-up by 8:30 in the morning at the designated pick-up area and use only the designated trash bag. The property that Honjo Real Estate manage are generally located in the following area. The trash pick-up day for those area are listed follow.
You are supposed to put the trash out for pick-up by 8:30 in the morning at the designated pick-up area and use only the designated trash bag. The property that Honjo Real Estate manage are generally located in the following area. The trash pick-up day for those area are listed follow.
Click this link : Watch video about trash disposal by Kitakyushu City
Area | Household Garbage | Plastic |
Chiyogasaki | Monday ・ Thursday | Tuesday |
Iseigauka | Monday ・ Thursday | Friday |
Honjo 1 chōme | Monday ・ Thursday | Tuesday |
Honjo 2 chōme | Monday ・ Thursday | Friday |
Honjo 3〜5 chōme | Monday ・ Thursday | Tuesday |
Rikimaru | Monday ・ Thursday | Tuesday |
Oura | Monday ・ Thursday | Friday |
Orio | Monday ・ Thursday | Friday |
The schedule is decided by Kitakyushu Ministry of Environment. The day and time are subject to change. For other area in Yahatanishi Ward area and the latest garbage pick-up schedule, please refer to Trash Collection Schedule.
How to use Japanese Washing Machine
There is a lot of washing features installed in a standard Japanese washing machine. If you are proficient in Japanese, those features do come in handy. For the sake of simplicity, assume that you only need the basic washing or automatic washing setting, please follow the steps below:
- Push the power button – Look for “電源” and “入” to power on the washing machine and "切" to power off. The machine should beep signaling that it is turned on.
- Close the lid and press the “スタート” – The default cycle or “コース” should already be set to “おまかせ” or “機準” on some machine. It means “Standard Wash”
1 | Power On | 電源 (入) |
2 | Power Off | 電源 (切) |
3 | Start / Pause | スタート/ 一時停止 |
4 | Washing Course | おまかせ Automatic, 毛布 Blanket |
念入りすすぎ Through Wash, 送風乾燥 Drying | ||
お急ぎ Speed wash, 槽洗浄 Washdrum Cleaning | ||
手洗い Delicate Wash, 予約 Timer | ||
5 | Current Cycle | 洗い Wash, すすぎ Rinse, 脱水 Dry |
6 | Water Volume | 45L, 37L, 32L, 17L |
How to use the aircon controller
To turn on the air conditioning in your room, simply push the button “冷房” for cold air or “暖房” for hot air.
To adjust the temperature use the button "温度", arrow up to increase the temperature and arrow down to decrease.
To dehumidify the room use the button "除湿切換", arrow up to increase the humidity percentage and arrow down to decrease.
To set it automatic use the button "自動"
To set timer to turn off the air-con automatically, use the button "おやすみタイマー"
To power off the air-con, use the button "停止"
To adjust the temperature use the button "温度", arrow up to increase the temperature and arrow down to decrease.
To dehumidify the room use the button "除湿切換", arrow up to increase the humidity percentage and arrow down to decrease.
To set it automatic use the button "自動"
To set timer to turn off the air-con automatically, use the button "おやすみタイマー"
To power off the air-con, use the button "停止"
1 | Power On (Air-conditioning) | 冷房 (入) |
2 | Power On (Heating) | 暖房 (入) |
3 | Set the temperature | 温度 |
4 | Set to automatic | 自動 |
5 | Dehumidfy | 除湿切換 |
6 | Timer (Power Off) | おやすみタイマー |
7 | Power Off | 停止 |
How to prevent moisture and mould during Japan rainy season
Throughout the rainy season, the combination of warmth, humidity, and inadequate ventilation creates an environment that is highly conducive for the growth of mold. Many Japanese households are equipped with tools and strategies to fend off humidity and preclude moisture-related issues before they emerge.
Japanese households use dehumidifying agents known as 除湿剤. It is readily available in local supermarkets and drug stores. I strongly recommend using humidify moisture containers. The design of this product is simple, straightforward yet ingeniously effective. It captures moisture from the air, which accumulates at the base of the container. In just a month, you can easily discern the extent of moisture accumulated in your home. However, it's important to note that this product is not suitable for large, open spaces. Its size renders it less effective in expansive rooms, but it is ideally suited for placement in closets, shelves, and compact areas.
Japanese households use dehumidifying agents known as 除湿剤. It is readily available in local supermarkets and drug stores. I strongly recommend using humidify moisture containers. The design of this product is simple, straightforward yet ingeniously effective. It captures moisture from the air, which accumulates at the base of the container. In just a month, you can easily discern the extent of moisture accumulated in your home. However, it's important to note that this product is not suitable for large, open spaces. Its size renders it less effective in expansive rooms, but it is ideally suited for placement in closets, shelves, and compact areas.