Can someone share tips on asking the owner/management company to change a tatami room into western style? For example, how much time before the contract should I ask for replacement? Do I request the talk to the owner or just talking to the management company is sufficient? Do they raise the rent / ask you to pay more reikin?
I am planning to move to Shinagawa for work, found a great 1DK, but the bedroom is Japanese style. I lived in a tatami room before and it didn’t suit my living style.
16 comments
I doubt the owner is going to change the rooms flooring just for you
My gut feeling is that they will look at you like you have a hole in your head. Measure the room and get carpet cut the right size and lay it over the tatami (Nitori lets you order this). You can then put a bed on top or whatever and the cost is the rug and a vacuum cleaner. Much less hassle then trying to convince your landlord.
We did this exact thing when we still had a proper bed.
You can buy flooring panels that sit on top of the tatami mats.
Will you be paying for the reflooring? If so I would say at least 2 month before you move in.
If you’re not paying for it, good luck finding another appartment.
We put these down in our tatami room and liked them. Just tape the joints from the bottom if you have drinks in the room in case you spill them. Review on Amazon: 厚みが良かった https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/review/B08966Z3LQ/R2BP60UTBSD5B?psc=1
Years ago, I was told I could pay for it myself with my landlord’s contractor, then pay to have the tatami reinstalled by the same contractor when I moved out. Your landlord may be more flexible, but I think you can expect to be on the hook for all or part of the expense. Offering to share the cost might get you somewhere, but most landlords who have a place ready to go are done putting money into it.
You can also get a roll out fake wooden floor on Rakuten that will cover the tatami
i’ve asked at a couple places, even offered to pay, but always been denied
>found a great 1DK,
Find another great 1DK with no tatami?
This doesn’t sound very polite.
Ask the real estate if tatami can be replaced. They’ll ask management or owner. Sometimes they’re ok with such requests. Unlikely to get wood, most likely veneer.
Edit:
I’m speaking from experience. Also doesn’t hurt to ask. Just make sure to ask before contract
There are wood panel roll out versions if you can t get ur owner to do anything
Home centers have Roll out fake wood floors for ¥10-20,000. Bonus: take it with you when you go !
I found a good apartment and proposed to pay to remove the tatami mat but the owner refused
So you can try, but you will probably have better luck finding another flat without tatami. Just tell the real estate agency you don’t want tatami
Unrelated but does anyone know where I can get a apartment in Tokyo that’s close to yamanote-line, my japanese isn’t so good but I can understand most of a conversation. I’m a student and most real state don’t show everything to students.
Better start looking for another place you like that has western style flooring 😅😂
The only places I’ve renovated was after the tenant moved out!
Only in emergencies where they allowed to stay, but never because they requested it.
If you owned the place is different but I don’t think so.