I “inherited” a lot of crap from my predecessor and I don’t want to do the same thing to my successor.
Thing is, I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff over these past 5 years, too. It’s hard to figure out what my predecessor may want/not outside of appliances like a fridge and microwave. Would they really rather move into an entirely empty apartment, or still have some stuff like dishes/pots, futons, chairs, etc. to start?
EDIT: Long story short I have no successor named, so I won’t be able to contact them with a list of stuff in the apartment.
15 comments
I left a good chunk of stuff to my successor and he seemed to appreciate. I’d say big things like sofa, tables, bookshelves, etc are good, but toss smaller, easier to buy things like plates, utensils, etc.
If you can, get in direct contact with them before they arrive. Everyone’s different. Be honest about what condition the stuff you’re leaving is in, though, and send photos if available.
Glad about: desk and cool gaming chair
Weren’t glad about: poop stained toilet, futon that stank of poop, brown (poop?) stained walls and sideboards, lots of extremely grimey old kitchenware and cooking equipment including a scissors which was pure rust (how does that even happen?) and an entire series of some crappy manga. Like I think the rice cooker that was left behind must be from the 1970s…
Good things: mattress, lamps, power bar, forks and knives.
Bad things: probably a hundred or so pens, dozens of cheap electronics, dead batteries, office supplies scattered in all different parts of the apartment, oh and more pens. 500 yen workout gear, broken mini hooks, broken rice cooker, metal fixtures, old lightbulbs, memorbilia from past students, hair milk solution and used cosmetics, empty air freshner cans, not to mention sea shells in random boxes????
To anyone reading, for the love of God please do your successor a favour and be reasonable with stuff you leave behind, and do a proper clean up before you leave. If you do leave stuff behind that you think will help your successor please keep it organized.
Yes I’m a little salty.
Pro: My predecessor left nothing.
Con: My predecessor left nothing. Not even A/C, washer, or fridge, etc. With the exception of the washer I got from a shut down elementary school (due to population decline), I had to buy everything from plates to larger appliances. Because of that, I spent close to $5,000 on startup costs, which is higher than the average for many JETs. As I always tell aspiring and incoming JETs, prepare a solid savings if you can and do not expect your predecessor(s) to leave you anything.
Any clean and useful household stuff was fine. Furniture, appliances, pots and pans, dishes, utensils, bottles of dish soap or cleaners that still had a decent amount left, clothes hangers, clean looking towels/futons/futon covers, some home decor like vases or a decorative bowl for my keys, we’re all appreciated.
What I didn’t appreciate most was the hella-rusted bicycle with two flat tires that I paid ¥5,000 for, and no bike shop even remotely near my place.
The other shit I didn’t want was loads of super old Lonely Planet travel guide books, other random old books, JET paraphernalia, stationary that was all yellow with age, the fake plastic grass on the veranda that was breaking apart and shedding blades of plastic grass, stained futons and sheets, and really old hiking stuff. I actually like hiking, but went and bought my own new gear.
Anyway, leave things that are useful and look clean. Throw out random hobby crap, nicknacks, and things that look old or dirty.
Pro:
Con: everything
Bigger con: when I was moved, I didn’t wanna leave my successor all the shit so took it with me and had the school provide him with better stuff because nice office staff were happy to give second hand but only a few years old stuff (newer washing machine, newer fridge)
Biggest con: I’m now leaving and as I’m not being replaced have to pay to dump so much ugly shit no one would ever want. Whoooooo!
My predecessor left all their dirty dishes, the trash packed to the max, and dirty laundry they didn’t feel like taking home…….
Oh I forgot they had a dog that shed like crazy so everything was covered in fur! Not only that but…….free dog……..
I was livid and horrified
I had no predecessor as my apartment was by chance a newly renovated one with with the most basic things: futon, towelket, dining table and 2 chairs, miniature sofa, microwave, fridge, toaster, utensils for two people, one pan, one pot, and a washing machine. It was great because I had the basic appliances and didn’t have “crap”. All my other co-JETs had inherited apartments. Some with good stuff, others with complete shit things from JETs 10 years past. In the end all new JETs after my year were put in Leopalaces so we had to toss whatever we had when we left and I felt lucky I was only responsible for my stuff. Others had things like 3 old tvs, heavy metal office desks, hundreds of cups and plates, futons from all the JETs in their apartment prior… etc
My predecessor sent me a list of stuff and asked what I want (to buy). I mean it wasn’t expensive so I chose the stuff that I know I will need and left the rest. I haven’t gotten there yet but apparently I will be moving to another building that currently has a tenant but she says the sups will organize to transport the stuff for me after the tenant clears out. We will see.
Moral is, if you can contact the person and list the things there for them to choose, that might be a peace of mind for the successor.
My predecessor was a fucking skank who left trash everywhere, stained furniture, and old food. I’m not happy about anything he left, and I would have preferred to not have a predecessor.
Edit: If you don’t know, just throw it away. Unless it’s something really good like an air conditioner, no one really cares and it’s going to become someone else’s problem at some point.
My predecessor left me with big shoes to fill and high expectations from my JTEs. Nipped that shit in the bud real quick.
My predessor was like I had to pay 50,000 yen for all this stuff so I’m giving it to you, you have to pay me 50,000 yen. I was like 2 days off the boat, was like… I guess okay. FUCK THAT GUY!
Of course, I gave my successor whatefver I didn’t take or sale.
If you buy something for your place, sell it when you leave or give it away or give it to your successor for free. Fuck you if you charge them for it.
I had nothing. My predecessor was such a difficult person they demanded an apartment renovation or they were going to leave, then broke contract and left after the renovation.
It was kind of great. Only had a stove, fridge, TV, and a washer when I arrived. Had to go to Nitori for a futon to sleep on. Bought a TV stand and air conditioning on my second payday.
I had no predecessor, so I came in to an empty apartment. I had to buy everything except appliances and a futon myself.
I was only there two years, so when I left, I sent my successor a list of what I wasn’t taking. Some things I sold to her, others I gave (depending on how long ago I purchased them, and what condition they were in). The things she didn’t want, I offered to the other incoming JETS in my city. Everything else, I sold to the second hand shop.
A lot of incoming JETs, in my area at least, are recent grads who don’t really know what they’re going to need yet (myself included!). I listed every single item I had, because a lot of it was things I hadn’t thought of until I actually needed it. I assume she might not think of it either, and therefore wouldn’t ask if I had one. I tried to make her move-in as easy as possible, because it’s scary and stressful.