MAGAZINE

"I was charged an unexpectedly high restoration fee upon moving out.""Despite normal use, I was told the entire wallpaper needed to be replaced."These are common concerns raised by tenants when vacating a rental property—often stemming from misunderstandings around...

In Japan’s rental market, it is not uncommon for tenants to face initial costs equivalent to four to six months' rent. This often leaves prospective renters feeling that a significant upfront cash payment is a prerequisite for relocation. In light of this, many...

When signing a rental agreement, tenants are often told, “Fire insurance is mandatory.”At first, this may seem unnecessary—“Why would I need fire coverage just to rent a home?”—but in reality, fire insurance covers much more than just fire. It typically includes...

You may think “I can move out whenever I want”—until you’re unexpectedly billed upon departure.A close reading of rental agreements often reveals clauses such as: “Early termination of the lease will incur a penalty.” These early termination penalty clauses can result...

As your move-in date approaches for a new rental property, one essential task to prepare for is setting up your electricity, water, and gas services.For first-time renters or international tenants, questions like “When should this be done?” “Who is responsible?” “What...

Once a lease agreement is signed, monthly rent payments become a routine part of life.While the lease contract clearly stipulates this obligation, many tenants remain unclear on key points such as “Are there different payment methods?” or “What happens if I miss the...

The faucet won’t stop running, the air conditioner isn’t working, the doorknob just came off—In a rental property, occasional equipment malfunctions are an inevitable part of daily life. When such issues arise, two questions inevitably follow:“Who should I contact?”...

While living in a rental property, you may unexpectedly face issues such as “the air conditioner isn’t cooling” or “there’s no hot water.” At such times, a critical question arises: “Am I responsible for the repair costs, or will the landlord cover them?” This is...

You may begin your rental life alone, only to later consider sharing your space—whether with a partner, a family member, or even a friend for a flat-share arrangement. However, it is crucial to understand that adding a co-occupant to a rental property typically...

One day, without any prior notice, the doorbell rings and a voice announces, “It’s the landlord.”Momentarily caught off guard, you wonder if something urgent has happened—only to be told, “I’m just here to check the building,” or “There’s a routine inspection; I need...

Living in Japan inevitably means contending with natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, heavy rains, and floods. For residents of rental properties—where one is not the legal owner of the dwelling—these events often raise valid concerns: “What steps should I...

Move-out disputes are an experience no tenant wishes to encounter—particularly those involving restoration costs or the return of the security deposit. For anyone familiar with the rental process, these are common points of tension. However, what many fail to realize...

The move-out inspection—an essential process conducted jointly by the tenant and the landlord or property management representative—serves to evaluate the current condition of a rental residence and determine which areas, if any, require cleaning or repair....

In the luxury rental sector, it is not uncommon for tenants to express concerns such as, “My security deposit wasn’t fully returned,” or “I was surprised by the amount deducted.” A security deposit is, by definition, a financial safeguard entrusted to the landlord to...

When tenants terminate a lease within the first year of occupancy, they are sometimes subject to an early termination fee. While tenants might feel they should have the freedom to move out at will, there is, in fact, solid reasoning behind this policy from a...