Understanding Rental Costs in Japan: Deposits, Key Money, and Hidden Fees
April 18, 2025Housing
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Expand Table of Contents
- Initial Move-in Costs Breakdown
- What You'll Need: Essential Move-in Fees
- Deposit (敷金 / shikikin)
- Key Money (礼金 / reikin)
- Agency Fee (仲介手数料・ちゅうかいてすうりょう・Chukai Tesuuryou)
- First Month's Rent (家賃・やちん・Yachin)
- Advance Rent (前家賃・まえやちん・Mae-yachin)
- Guarantor Company Fee (保証会社費・ほしょうがいしゃひ・Hoshou Gaisha-hi)
- Property Insurance (火災保険・かさいほけん・Kasai Hoken)
- Lock Exchange Fee (鍵交換代・かぎこうかんだい・Kagi Koukan-dai)
- Sample Cost Calculation
- Monthly Ongoing Costs
- Rent (家賃・やちん・Yachin)
- Maintenance Fee (共益費・きょうえきひ・Kyoueki-hi or 管理費・かんりひ・Kanri-hi)
- Utilities
- Building Management Associations
- Lease Renewal Costs
- Renewal Fee (更新料・こうしんりょう・Koushin-ryou)
- Money-Saving Strategies
- Look for "Initial Cost-Saving" Properties
- Consider UR Properties
- Negotiate
- Timing Matters
- Regional Differences
- Understanding Your Contract's Cost Section
- Final Tips