Hello,
1/2 intro: I have been living in Japan (in an apartment) for about three months and intend on staying for another 3 – 4 years.
2/2 intro: I’m not looking for answers like “ask your landlord” or “review your lease” because I’m not asking if these *are* rules, but if they’re usually enforced. Clarifying examples: 1/2 example: I was told that it was important to sort your trash and only put it out for collection on select dates but a lot of people in my apartment don’t wait for the correct days (I can tell by the type of trash bags they use). I guess this is an example in Japan of a rule not being very enforced or important? 2/2 example: In my past apartments in my home country, there was usually a rule on the lease that stated people can not stay longer than five-seven consecutive days in your apartment, but it’s never enforced.
Specific Questions:
In your experience renting in Japan, do these rules sound enforceable in practicality? (these are the rules of my apartment)
1) Having a guest over for longer than one night.
2) Putting hooks in walls for hanging things.
3) Being somewhat loud (not partying, just chatting and laughing) when entertaining on Friday and Saturday nights.
4) Owning an instrument (keyboard with an earphone jack, so no one would hear it, but a maintenance person might see it eventually.
In my home country, none of these types of rules would be enforced, but I have anxiety over being evicted. Would any of these things be grounds for eviction in general? Is there a law in Japan that prevents landlords from evicting without giving a warning and opportunity to correct the behavior first? Any experiences breaking small rules as a renter in japan or having an eviction scare?
Thank you! I’m just anxious.
4 comments
your apartment sounds more like a dorm/sharehouse with these rules
especially with the presence of a “maintenance person”
to answer your question my apartment has none of these rules but it’s common knowledge not to
-be too loud (or face a letter from management/the police officer knocking on your door)
-drill holes in the wall rather use tape pads for fixing something to the wall (or risk losing your deposit)
afaik eviction rarely happens based on what I’ve heard and in the chance anyone has issue you’ll probably get a reprimand
Eviction is extremely difficult to carry out in Japan, and the things you listed would probably never lead to you being evicted. At worst, you would get direct warnings if the building has a strict culture regarding the rules.
Basically, if it won’t bother your neighbors, landlord or building maintenance staff, it will most likely not become a problem.
2 can get you dinged for repair costs when you move, but basically won’t ever be a reason for an attempted eviction.
3 depends on who hears you being loud and whether they complain about it or not.
4, simply having an instrument in your apartment shouldn’t be an issue if it is inaudible (and no-one complains about it). Maintenance people, eg a subcontractor, is unlikely to care, but I guess if you have a landlord and the maintenance person is friends with them, they might mention it, who knows. Either way simply having an instrument is not grounds for eviction.
1) don’t worry
2) they will fine you
3) use common sense
4) owning an instrument not an issue , I have a full studio at home but headphones are a must.
As others mentioned eviction is extremely difficult BUT if you caused a major problem you can get blacklisted by agencies.
I own and rent apartments and such lists exist.
Enjoy your apartment and just follow the basic rules.
Needless to say if you have a good relationship with your adjacent apartment’s tenants the more flexible some of the rules become.