Basically, I’m trying to organize an apartment before departure next month and have been in touch with some agencies through Relocation Japan.
One of which, has some really great properties with decently affordable rent in amazing locations.
However, after sending me the links/listings (which included up-front costs, rent etc) the real estate agency basically said “there are prices on the listing, but because you’re coming with JET, the property manager could double the up front costs, there’s just no way of knowing.”
Is that normal? I’m not planning on going forward with those properties because the uncertainty of the price is too much for me. Any help would be appreciated!
6 comments
Any excuse to screw over a foreigner lol
Charging insane start up costs is normal, for both Japanese and foreign people. I recently moved house and it cost upwards of 700k.
Charging you more, especially double the amount because you’re coming on the JET programme is not normal. Find a new, less exploitative housing agent.
No. It is weird. Find a new realtor.
Yes they can. There’s nothing illegal about it and they’re counting on you not wanting to put up with it. If you walk away, they’ll find someone else.
There are plenty of property managers who won’t look for any excuse to swindle you.
Work with one of them instead.
You have to organise your own apartment? Never heard of that before.
Ask for a quote ahead of time, laugh at them if they charge you double, and tell them you’re willing to sign if they drop the key money entirely and add a rent grace period.
Remember everything is negotiable and the rental market isn’t too hot here in Japan, so landlords are looking to fill their vacancies.