hi i applied for an apartment before i came to japan and it got approved.now im in japan and i wanted to see the apartment.my rental agency said managment company already changed the locks for you so you cannot see the apartment because you move in immediatly.they saying this is how it works in japan.is that true what should i do ?
11 comments
No. That’s not “how it works in Japan”.
Did you already sign a contract/lease? If not, tell them you won’t sign until you see it – though this may cause you to lose the apartment.
The only case I can think of in which a management company has grounds to not let you in for a tour beforehand is when you’re moving into a brand new building that is still under construction right until the move date.
This happened to me once. To partially make up for it they instead showed me a very similar apartment in another building they also owned nearby. Still a minor gamble, but it was worth it for me in terms having the early bird advantage of having (almost) the first choice of floor space (room number).
Yeah, I know… none of this is super relevant to the OP, but whatever…
so i pushed that i want to see the apartment before signing and they said its not possible so they cancel it.and my rental agency says they can charge me beacuse they already change the lock but i didnt even sign anything is this normal?
Huh?
The only thing I can think of is there is a miscommunication and they think you want to cancel..? Changing the locks would give even more of a reason that you’d be able to view the apartment given that the previous tenant couldn’t get in after that point.
So the reason you might be treated this way is that the company you work for, may have some link to the rental company or may own the apartment building/room. If you live in a company dormitory, you don’t get to see anything until you get the keys and walk in. They often have the upper hand as these apartments or cheap rent and in high demand from people working at the company. But these dormitories are often poorly maintained and one earthquake away from collapse.
I’ve never lived in an apartment in Japan that I haven’t seen first.
The company telling you “that’s just how it’s done in Japan” sounds dodgy.
If you have already signed the contract, there are no further viewings possible until the move in date.
Occasionally, there are listings on Reins (the real estate Plattform most companies use) that specifically state that viewings are not possible due to various reasons. These are usually easily avoidable since you would know before signing a contract by trying to schedule a viewing.
Since the management company already exchanged locks, I assume that you have already signed the contract. Legally, they can charge you from the point that you signed the document.
If you have not yet signed a contract, there is no legal obligation for you to move in to the apartment. Although, there could be issues with the management company in the future since they already invested time into screening you etc. and you cancelled the contract.
While it happens that some folks rent or buy an apt sight unseen, what you’re describing is rather weird.
If they don’t want to show you the apartment before you sign, they have a good reason for it. It’s probably a ruin, has mould/mildew or other issues. Walk away and don’t pay them anything.
The only reason I can think of where you wouldn’t be able to see an apartment is if there is a tenant still living in it.
Is there some miscommunication? When is your move in date? Did you apply for an apartment and just showed up waaaaaay ahead of your lease start date?
But management company already changing the locks and immediate move in… I really don’t understand. If it’s empty and the locks are already what are going to be your locks because you’re moving in within the next few days then you should be able to see the apartment. Only thing that makes sense is they’re lying about it being empty and that the locks are changed.
That’s not normal. If they won’t show you the apartment just go to the station near where the first one was and find another agency. There’s dozens. You should be able to find a place quickly.
When is (was) your move in date?
If it isn’t for a few days still, I’d bet decent money them not letting you in to see it has nothing to do with any lock changes, cos what, they changed the locks and lost the fucking keys?!
If they changed the locks it shouldn’t prevent them from fn opening said locks now should it hahaha so this is literally the most bs reason I’ve heard pretty much ever!
I reckon it’s cos the previous tenants haven’t moved out yet and they’re trying to maximize profit by cutting it super fine on the turnaround, and thus will prob also be cutting corners on the between-tenants “refresh/repair” that’s usually done here.
OP, this is SUS AF – they are absolutely hiding something and you should NOT sign a thing without seeing the place. If they refuse and cancel your approval for the apartment, fine, you’ve dodged a bullet now go find yourself an honest agent and a new place 👍 They can kick rocks with their “this stupid gaijin is desperate/won’t know any better” rubbish.
You always want to have it in writing that the between-tenants “renewal” of the apartment is to be completed in full before your move in date – this usually includes changing wallpaper (esp. if previous tenants were smokers), repairing any damage (incl. making a photo record they will walk you through of any damage that isn’t able to be repaired or the landlord chose not to repair, such as deep scratches in the flooring etc), and lastly, a full very thorough professional cleaning – that they 100% charged the previous tenant for already cos that’s standard practice. So if your place isn’t spotlessly clean when you move in you can and should complain.
Hope this helps and good luck!
If you find yourself stuck with no place to live cos your agent/landlord are as fn dodgy as they sound, google for “weekly mansions” for temp accommodation that’s basic but usually cheaper than a hotel – roughly equivalent to a youth hostel per night price but you’ll get your own shoebox room with single bed, bathroom and teensy kitchenette – will at least keep a relatively inexpensive roof over your head while you get a new home sorted.