Basic Information on how to find accommodation in Japan・Apartment Lease Guarantor Service for Foreign
Nationals
Basic Information on how to find accommodation in Japan・Apartment Lease Guarantor Service for Foreign
Nationals
Kyoto University has five accommodation facilities for international students and researchers called
the Kyoto University International Houses. However, as the number of rooms in the International
Houses is limited and residents can only stay for a limited period, the majority of international
students and researchers find other accommodation through a real estate agency. This page contains
basic information on how to find accommodation in Japan, and the procedures for moving in and moving
out.
How to Find Accommodations in Japan
for Foreign Nationals
Searching for Accommodation and Moving In
General Procedures
The most common way of searching for a private apartment in Japan is through a real estate agency.
It Japan there are several initial expenses that must usually be paid when renting an apartment or
house, including guarantor fees, a security deposit, and “key money” (a one-time payment to the
landlord). Tenants should also enroll in damage insurance to protect against fires or water leakage.
1. Sources of Information on Available Accommodation
Kyoto University International Service Office
Real Estate Agencies
Friends and Acquaintances
2. When Seeking Accommodation through a Real Estate Agency
Check the room facilities, size, layouts, access to the university, and the
surrounding environment (e.g. the atmosphere, safety, shopping areas, and distance
from hospitals).
Confirm the expenses required for the lease, such as rent, security deposit, key
money, etc.
Confirm whether a guarantor and damage insurance is required.
Some real estate agencies will provide you with pictures or video of the
accommodation via the internet or email, but if possible, you should visit the
property before signing the lease.
3. Signing the Lease and Moving In
Confirm the details of the lease agreement (e.g. how should the rent be paid, what
is the period of the rental, how much notice is required for termination of the
lease, and other important points).
Conclude a contract with a guarantor, and enroll in fire and damage insurance.
Once you have received the key, check the condition of the accommodation before
moving in. If there are any problems with the accommodation (e.g. if anything is
damaged or dirty), you should contact the real estate agency immediately).
Apply for electricity, gas, and water supplies.
Real Estate Terms You Should Know
Guarantor
The guarantor is responsible for paying any outstanding rent or other costs after if a
tenant vacates rental accommodation and is unable to pay the required expenses themselves.
The tenant must repay the expenses back to the guarantor at a later date.
Security Deposit
The security deposit is kept by the landlord as a safeguard against non-payment of rent or
repairs required when the rental accommodation is vacated. When the rental accommodation is
vacated, any portion of the security deposit that remains after all expenses have been
settled is returned to the tenant.
Key Money
A one-time payment that is made to the landlord when the rental agreement is signed. The key
money is not returned.
Common Service Fee (Management Fee)
This covers the costs required (electricity, cleaning fees, etc.) to maintain the shared
spaces of the property, such as stairways and hallways.
Agency Fee
This is paid to the real estate agent when the rental agreement is signed.
Explanation of Important Points
Before a rental agreement is signed, real estate agents explain the important points of the
agreement to the tenant. The important points usually include matters such as the condition
of fixtures and furniture, the terms for lease termination, the terms for the security
deposit, etc.
Restoration to Original Condition
If a rental property has been damaged or soiled willfully, or through negligence or
carelessness, the tenants are responsible for paying the expenses required to restore it to
its original condition. In this case, the expenses are subtracted from the security deposit
when the accommodation is vacated.
Damage Insurance
Provides insurance coverage against:
Accidental fires or water leakage which occurs through the negligence of the tenant
(if the tenant is required to pay for the damages by the landlord).
Damage to the tenant’s property in the accommodation due to wind, flooding, fire,
lightning, etc.
Damage caused to the property of people living on a lower level due to water
leakage.
When Renting Accommodation, Please Comply with the Following:
Only contracted tenants can stay in the accommodation. Do not allow other to stay in your
room.
Be careful not to be noisy, and do not disturb others with loud voices or sounds.
Be sure to pay the rent by the specified day. (In general the rent for a given month must be
paid by the end of the previous month.)
Be sure to put out the garbage appropriately and on the appointed day and time.
To prevent water leakage to lower levels, be sure to keep bathroom and kitchen drains clean
and clear.
Inserting nails or pins, or otherwise making holes in the walls of a property is generally
prohibited. Do not remodel any part of the property without the permission of the landlord.
Be sure to pay electricity, gas, and water fees by their respective deadlines. If the
payments are not made on time, the supplies could be cut off.
If you leave the accommodation temporarily (e.g. when going on a trip), be sure to notify
the landlord or real estate agency in advance, and be careful that your rent payment is not
delayed during your absence.
Apartment Lease Guarantor Service for Foreign Nationals
When applying to rent the housing in Japan, an apartment lease guarantor is generally required.
Kyoto University cannot act as joint guarantor for housing lease agreements. If unable to find an
apartment lease guarantor, there is a private lease guarantor service for Kyoto University
International Researchers and Students.
Global Trust Networks Co.,Ltd.(GTN)
Flat Agency “F-Support” Housing Guarantor System
Choei “Green Guarantee Company”
Zenhoren (please note: no English speaking staff are available.)
Casa Inc. (please note: no English speaking staff are available.)
Procedures for the use of apartment lease guarantor services
STEP 1
The landlord or real estate agency must agree to the use of the apartment lease guarantor that
you wish to appoint. When you find an apartment that you would like to rent, you must confirm
with the landlord or real estate agency that they will allow you to use one of the
above-mentioned guarantor companies.
STEP 2
Once you have confirmed that you can use the guarantor company, you must inform the company that
you are (or will be) enrolled at or employed by Kyoto University.
STEP 3
The real estate agency will conduct the application procedure with the lease guarantor company.
You should submit the required application documents in accordance with their instructions.
When Moving Out or Moving to a New Address
General Procedures
1. Notify your landlord or real estate agency
Be sure to notify the landlord or real estate agent that you are moving out within
the period specified in the rental agreement (usually one or two months in
advance)
You may be charged for an extra month’s rent if you give the landlord/real estate
agency shorter notice than is specified in the agreement.
2. Preparation for moving out
Have the electricity, gas, and water supplies disconnected and settle the
outstanding the fees.
Notify the city/ward office that you are moving out or changing address.
Clean the room well and remove your belongings.
Inform the academic affairs office of your department of affiliation that you have
changed address.
3. Moving out
Return the property keys to your real estate agency or landlord.
Security deposit settlement: if you are behind with your rent, or if there are
expenses required to restore the property to its original condition, etc., such
expenses will be deducted from the security deposit.
Apartment Lease Guarantor Service for Foreign Nationals
If unable to find an apartment guarantor, there is a private lease guarantor service for Kyoto
University International Students and Researchers.
Please Note:
The contents of the agency websites are subject to change without notice.
Please confirm the terms conditions carefully when selecting accommodation and before signing a
lease.
The guarantee fee and coverage vary depending on the plan selected by the landlord or real
estate agency.
Reference:
Fee Description
Guarantee Fee (at the first time apartment lease contract)
30% - 100% of monthly rental fee (Including maintenance fee, parking fee and any other monthly
fee)
Periodic Guarantee Fee
10,500yen per year or 1,000yen - 2,000yen per month
Guarantee bounds
Rent arrears (Rent and Maintenance fee) *Max warranty is the rent for 48 months.
Abandoned belongings disposal fee
Abandoned belongings storage fee
Eviction suit fee
Note: The rent during the period of abandoned belongings disposal and room
restoration and the room restoration fee are not guaranteed.
This service fee is included in the guarantee fee.
Multiple language life support
Language
English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other languages (24 languages in total)
Service Hours
7 days a week excluding the year-end and new year holidays
Passport copy (the page of photo, name and expiry date)
【Students】 The copy of student ID card, official letter of admission or notification of passing the entrance examination issued by Kyoto University
【Researchers】 The copy for certificate of acceptance or employment issued by Kyoto University
Note: 2 persons are required as emergency contact.
Procedures
Choose preferred apartment at the real estate agencies GTN service is available
Fill out GTN application forms and submit the basic application documents to the real estate
agency.
Examination by GTN
After approval, sign up contract for consignment of credits guaranty with GTN when making a
lease agreement at the real estate agency.
A lease guarantee fee shall be paid to the real estate agency at the same time.
Flat Agency “ F-Support” Housing Guarantor System
Conditions
Be accepted at or work for Kyoto University
Apartments by lease of the real estate agency “Flat Agency”
Fee Description
Monthly Rental Fee
Annual Guarantee Fee
Under 80,000yen
10,000 yen
80,000yen～150,000yen
15,000 yen
*A rent includes maintenance fees such as maintenance of communal facilities and cleaning of
communal areas)
Guarantee bounds
Rent arrears
Renewal charge (Max warranty is the rent for one month.)
Abandoned belongings disposal fee
Legal costs
Max warranty
Up to six months for monthly rent including a renewal charge
Basic Application Documents
Residence card
Passport copy (the page of photo, name and expiry date)
The copy for certificate of acceptance or employment issued by Kyoto University
Note: 2 persons are required as emergency contact. One is the family in home country, the other
is a friend in Japan.
Procedures
Choose preferred apartment at the Flat Agency.
Fill out the application forms of F-Support and submit the basic application documents to the
Flat Agency.
Examination by F-Support
After approval, sign up contract for consignment of credits guaranty with F-Support when making
a lease agreement with Flat Agency.
A lease guarantee fee shall be paid to the Flat Agency at the same time.
Remarks:
Flat Agency treats the apartment that no lease guarantor is necessary, too.
The details are available at Kyoto University previous store or Doshisya Daigaku-mae Office.
Flat Agency Branch Offices near Kyoto University Yoshida Campus
Sakyo Branch Store
Address
3-6 Ushinomiya-cho, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, ZIP code: 606-8302
Office Hours
10:00-18:00
Closed:Every Tuesday and the 1st Wednesday of every month.
Apartments by lease of the real estate agency “Choei”
Guarantee Fee(at the first time apartment lease contract)
Maximum fee is 80% of monthly rental fee (Including maintenance fee, parking fee and any
other monthly fee)
Minimum fee is 28,000yen
*A rent includes maintenance fees such as maintenance of communal facilities and cleaning of
communal areas.
Guarantee bounds
Rent arrears (Rent and Maintenance fee)
Abandoned belongings disposal/storage fee
Eviction suit fee
Max warranty
Up to 12 months for monthly rent
Basic Application Documents
Application forms available at Choei Global Desk
Passport copy (the page of photo, name and expiry date)
Residence Card (if available)
The information about family in home country as emergency contact (e.g. the copy for
identification card)
Procedures
*available before entering Japan
Choose preferred apartment at the Choei Global Desk.
Fill out the application forms of “Green Guarantee Company“ and submit the basic application
documents to the Choei Global Desk.
Examination by Green Gurantee Company
After approval, sign up contract for consignment of credits guaranty with Green Guarantee
Company when making a lease agreement with Choei Global Desk.
A lease guarantee fee shall be paid to the Choei Global Desk at the same time.
*Inquiries and applications must be made
in Japanese as no English speaking staff are available.
Conditions
The applicant must be (or be about to be) employed by Kyoto University (except for the status of residence for applicant is “Cultural Activities”).
Fee Description
Guarantee fee (at the initial conclusion of the apartment lease contract)
30% of the monthly rental fee (Including maintenance fees, parking fees, and any other
monthly fees)
Renewal fee (at the renewal of the lease contract)
10% of the monthly rental fee
Items guaranteed
Rent arrears (rent and maintenance fees) *for a maximum of 24 months
Costs for the disposal of abandoned belongings
Room cleaning costs
Room repair costs
Eviction lawsuit costs
Room key replacement costs
Application Documents (Note: other documents may also be required)
Copy of the applicants residence card (front and back) (if the applicant is already resident in
Japan)
Copy of the applicant’s certificate of eligibility (if the applicant is not yet resident in
Japan)
Copy of the applicant’s passport (the pages that include the photograph, name, and expiry date)
Copy of the applicant’s certificate of acceptance, enrollment, or employment issued by Kyoto
University
The contact details of an emergency contact person (the person must live in Japan and be able to
communicate in Japanese. The guarantor cannot serve as the emergency contact person)
Application Procedures
Choose an apartment offered by a real estate agency which provides the Zenhoren service.
Complete the Zenhoren application forms and submit the application documents above to the real
estate agency.
Application screening by Zenhoren.
Once your application has been approved, conclude a guaranty contract with Zenhoren when
concluding the leasing contract at the real estate agency. The lease guarantee fee must be paid
to the real estate agency together with the other rental fees.
If the real estate agency that you are using does not provide Zenhoren’s guarantor service, you
will need to ask them to contact the Zenhoren Kyoto Branch office (TEL:075-222-7370). Zenhoren
will then arrange for your real estate agency to provide the service.
Casa Inc.
Osaka Branch Office
Address
〒532-0003
5F Shin-Osaka, San-R Center Building,5-2-18, Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
*Inquiries and applications must be made in Japanese as no English speaking staff are
available.
Conditions
Be accepted at or work for Kyoto University,
except for the status of residence for applicant is “Cultural Activities”.
Fee Description
Guarantee fee (at the initial conclusion of the apartment lease contract)
Renewal fee (at the renewal of the lease contract)
10,000yen
10,000yen
Guarantee bounds
Rent arrears (rent and maintenance fees) *for a maximum of 24 months
Costs for restoration to original condition of room
Room cleaning costs
Eviction lawsuit costs
Basic Application Documents
Copy of the applicants residence card (front and back) (if the applicant is already resident in
Japan)
Copy of the applicant’s certificate of eligibility (if the applicant is not yet resident in
Japan) *Copy of the applicant’s residence card (front and back) is required when the contract is
established.
Copy of the applicant’s passport (the pages that include the photograph, name, and expiry date)
Copy of the applicant’s certificate of acceptance, enrollment, or employment issued by Kyoto
University
The contact details of an emergency contact person (the person must live in Japan and be able to
communicate in Japanese. The guarantor cannot serve as the emergency contact person)
Procedures
Choose an apartment offered by a real estate agency which provides Casa Inc. service.
Complete the Casa Inc. forms and submit the application documents above to the real estate
agency.
Application screening by Casa Inc..
Once your application has been approved, conclude a guaranty contract with Casa Inc. when
concluding the leasing contract at the real estate agency. The lease guarantee fee must be paid
to the real estate agency together with the other rental fees.
If the real estate agency that you are using does not provide Casa Inc.’s guarantor service, you
will need to ask them to contact Casa Inc. Osaka Branch office (TEL:06-7668-1620). Casa Inc.
will then arrange for your real estate agency to provide the service.
