So I’ve been looking at apartments because I’m considering moving to a different prefecture next year. Until now my lodgings have been subsidized so I didn’t know much about renting costs.
Something I noticed though as I was browsing is the 駐車場代, or parking lot fee. Do landlords seriously charge extra for a renter to use the parking? If so, do they actually do something for that money (clear snow/renew paint markings etc), or is this just nickel and diming?
edit** by the way, I’m not out to imply this is uniquely a Japan thing. Other countries have nothing to do with the question.
22 comments
Of course they do. At my apartment in Tokyo it costs ¥40,000 a month if you want a parking space. Of course it’s totally optional if you do, and actually there’s a waiting list.
Yes, up to 40,000 is pretty normal in Tokyo. And they can still be hard to get. A lot of mansions have a waiting list or a lottery.
It’s a thing. Unless you live in the countryside, be prepared to pay for parking, sometimes a lot. In cities where car ownership is truly optional, why would building owners give parking away, or non-car-owning tennants subsidize it through higher rents?
Same goes for the bicycle parking in apartment blocks. Cheaper than a car of course but don’t assume it’s free and just put your bike in it.
Some apartments in the US also have either parking passes you have to buy and hang in your window, or parking garage fees, in order to be able to park on the property. This isn’t really unique to Japan.
Why would you be surprised about this, OP? It’s pretty common all over the world.
Yes, but you can ask to waive it if you don’t use it.
If you don’t want to pay for parking you need to look at detached houses with parking on the property.
This is a thing in every big city around the world. Not sure why you’re so surprised.
>Do landlords seriously charge extra for a renter to use the parking?
Yes, and they do in many countries.
Some locations don’t charge extra though. But since it’s then included in the rent (and rent may be more expensive), basically everyone will essentially pay for a spot, whether they use it or not.
>If so, do they actually do something for that money (clear snow/renew paint markings etc), or is this just nickel and diming?
Yeah, they do general upkeep and management. Sometimes they provide security, such as camera surveillance. But the main reason for the cost is that land is expensive. Countryside is cheaper than city centre. For me it’s 23000 yen in Yokohama. In less central areas it’s like 8000 yen, or sometimes included in rent.
It’s normal and depends on the apartment. For some it’s included in the rent, for others it isn’t.
In my case for example, one parking spot is included, but if I wanted a second spot for a second car I’d have to pay extra.
Yes, it’s a service you’re getting, and this is Japan, where land is a highly valued commodity, so you have to pay for it.
Yeah, of course its a thing. Its quite expensive to set aside land in urban Japan for a parking space, so why would they go to the expense of buying that land and installing a parking lot if they can’t get a return on it?
Definitely a thing. Also with bicycle parking too in many places.
Many renters don’t have cars, so why not make some money off of those who do? Maintaining a building doesn’t come cheap
Yes, land is at a premium and you have to pay to rent it, even if it’s for a car.
That said, we managed to negotiate our parking fee to zero at our current apartment in lieu of being able to haggle down the rent.
My apartment in Yokohama is 70,000¥ per month for parking.
Its a thing and varies quite a lot. In Okinawa I was paying 8,000 yen/month and Central Tokyo now 70,000/month. BTW in many areas in Japan you wont be able to buy a car unless you prove that you have a parking space.
My rent is 95,000 and parking is another 15,000.
Look it this way. Why would somebody who doesnt need parking lot have to pay for it even if hes not going to use it? It goes for trunk rooms also, most of the time its optional so you could take it as discount for not using it instead an extra charge.
Yes, it’s a thing. What they “do” for you in return is they let you use the parking lot. If you don’t pay, you don’t get to use the parking lot. It’s as simple as that.
Yeah it is.
Even for bikes.
My gf bought an apartment for an insane amount of money.m in Mejiro. 2 LDK newly built. We still had to pay for the bike parking. I was actually shocked. First you pay over 65 million and then you still have to pay to park the bike??? Nice apartment tho, I’ll give her that.
I’m surprised that you’re suprised by this. Of course landlords charge parking fees, especially in large cities. That’s not just a Japanese thing.
Why is it nickel and diming? Land is expensive. If you need more land than just your apartment so that you can park a car, then you need to pay for that land.
As far as snow removal goes, ask the landlord. They may do it, or they may expect you to do it.