When you ask anyone living in Tokyo how much it costs to move into an apartment, they would often say, “A lot.” But how much is a lot, really?
Ready to move out of your current accommodation and start a new and improved journey? Let’s take a look at how much money you need to be prepared to shell out when moving into your first apartment.
Before jumping into the breakdown of costs, let’s first differentiate among the different apartments in Japan because the cost varies greatly depending on the type. The most affordable one is shared apartments or sharehouses. You get a private room and share the rest of the space. You also have apartments that are furnished with the primary necessities so moving in is more convenient.
You can go for cheaper apartments in terms of initial costs but are unfurnished, so the appliances you need to get by are coming out of your pocket. Lastly, you have apartment hotels with a private and serviced room containing a bed, kitchenette, shower and toilet, and a small living room.
Deciding which type of apartment to get is greatly reliant on how long you’re staying in Japan. For example, regular apartments often have a two-year contract, so if you’re staying short-term, you might consider a furnished apartment hotel or sharehouse.
There’s more to choosing an apartment in Tokyo than the square meters and provisions. Being aware of the aspects of an apartment, such as corner units and south-facing rooms (often more expensive), will help prepare you for the corresponding costs.
Beyond the layout of a particular apartment, you also need to consider the essentials such as internet and air-conditioning. Some companies like Leopalace offers the necessities in their apartments such as a refrigerator, microwave, washing machine, air-conditioning, internet, and a TV. What you basically need is a futon or bed, and you can move in.
You also need to check if a parking space is provided for your bicycle or vehicle. Vehicle parking space is a must for car owners and often comes at an extra cost. Another consideration is pets. If you are moving into your apartment with a cat or dog, be prepared to cut your options by a great deal as pet-friendly apartments are more challenging to come by, especially if you have more than one or a bigger dog. The rent and deposit will also increase, in this case.
With that in mind, here is a list of the common fees included in an apartment contract in terms of initial costs to pay. We will be considering the costs of a typical apartment.
If all of the fees above are present in your contract, then your initial cost for an ¥80,000 apartment tallies up to ¥522,000 more or less. Therefore, take that listing on social media indicating “very low rent” of ¥50,000 for an apartment in Tokyo with a grain of salt as this could quickly balloon with extra fees.
Tips for cutting costs? Know what these fees mean and look for listings that don’t charge some of them, such as key money. Another way is to negotiate cancelling the key money by paying higher rent. You’d be surprised that some landlords offer their apartments at a much lower price but with a hefty key money attached. Canceling the key money for higher rent will be a smart move if you don’t plan on staying long in the property.
You can also cut costs by going for campaigns. Some agencies waive their commission and even cover the initial lock exchange fee to boost sales. You can also negotiate the lease renewal fee with the landlord and get it waived if you are sure about staying for more than two years.
With the right information and knowledge of the fees and how to go about them, you can easily land an apartment that is considered a steal.
