I’m currently looking to rent a 1LDK condo in inner Tokyo. So far I’ve mostly been looking at newer, less than 15 year old places. Considering my other requirements, if I remove the apartment age requirement I have significantly more options.
Looking at some even 50 year old reinforced concrete places, what should I be looking out for? Some of them seem to have completely renovated new interiors. I’d avoid any Japanese-style rooms, and will not be living on the first floor.
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I would look at how well it’s kept, in which case I wouldn’t worry at all moving in. Just use your senses, look, smell, listen.
If it has modern amenities/appliances like washlets, modern one-handed faucets, induction cooker, video-doorbell, modern locks etc, then the landlord has probably taken good care of it and updated everything regularly. It doesn’t need to have all of these, but you get the gist.
Also, the surroundings can tell you something; an overgrown or dirty garbage place or bicycle parking can be a sign of neglect, but a few rusty spots here and there are just patina and no problem.
Bonus tip: If you have a chance to glance at the expiry date of a fire extinguisher in the staircase, that can also be revealing.