With the recent “news” of possible re-openings, my wife and I are starting to consider options for our move. One thing we have been stressed about is the fact that we are moving with our two cats, which will make finding an apartment very difficult. We recently discussed the option of finding an AirBnB, which has the option to reserve for a one-year period. Assuming we discussed the pet situation with them beforehand and there were no issues there, is there any reason otherwise that we should have an actual lease as opposed to a year-long AirBnB? The process would be so much simpler, and we wouldn’t have to deal with guarantors or any of the normal apartment stuff. Also, paying for the year in advance would not be an issue, as I’m pretty sure that’s how it would work for the AirBnB reservation.
So, is there any reason we cannot or should not do this? Anything legally with our visas or employment? (We have jobs lined up).
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You should contact the cityhall where you would be registering. There are stories of certain cityhalls not allowing folks to register their address using AirBnB or other hotels.
I believe as well that properties can only be rented out a maximum of 180 days per year so you’d have to move around a bit. https://notesofnomads.com/airbnb-in-japan/
>We recently discussed the option of finding an AirBnB, which has the option to reserve for a one-year period.
Well, that’s not possible. An AirBnB in Japan can only be rented out for a maximum of 180 days per year. So if you are lucky and find one that has not been rented out at all for the past 6 months, you still need to move at least once. The likelihood of this is not super high, so you probably need to move at least a couple of times during your stay. Every time you move there is some paperwork to do.
That may or may not be a reason not to do it.
Just to make clear, the actual move is long term, and not just a year, right?
With pets, you really should enter into a lease agreement with the property directly and not a third party go between like AirBnb. I’m not sure if things like the rental protections/laws on property damage apply if you’re renting what’s technically a hotel. This just seems overly expensive and risky.
Renting in Japan is annoying procedurally, but once you get a lease, those headaches basically go away.
In addition to the legal issues that other people mentioned, I would recommend against an Airbnb simply because it’s bad value. Almost all Airbnbs I’ve seen in at least Tokyo are extremely overpriced, not by 10-20%, but you’re paying 2-3x the market price of that place. Is the pain of apartment hunting really so bad that you’d live in a comparatively crappy place for a whole year? You can get a significantly nicer and bigger place on the same budget.
You are probably better off having the cats looked after at your home country until you find a place, then have them sent over.
If Airbnb have dedicated post box and you are allowed to use it, it should be possible to register in a city hall.
As other people mentioned, I am not sure if you will find pet friendly Airbnb, but there are agencies for foreigners that allow easy rent and low initial costs. Maybe they will agree for pet if you rent long term and pay additional deposit.
I used Fontana in the past and they have been great for me. I don’t know if they still exist, but you can Google it. You can leave the apartment with one month notice and they are furnished.
I used an Airbnb for 6 months.
Best decision ever
My partner and I are in the same position. Two cats coming over with us. I will probably head over first, secure a pet friendly apartment, head back, and then do the big move.
It’s expensive and will take longer, but it’s better for my wife and the cats. Means we get off a plane and have a place to go to that’s home.
Whilst it looks difficult, they said the same in Singapore, and plenty of agents I’ve spoken to have said it’s definitely possible to find a pet friendly place.
We were going to look at hmlet as a temporary option, but decided against it.