Hello,
I am currently living in Saitama, but have recently found work in Yokohama. Since the commute takes almost 2 hours I’d ver y much like to move. Currently I am renting an apartment with Oakhouse, but the ones they have in and around Kanagawa aren’t very appealing to me and rather expensive for what you get as well. I have been desperately trying to find something around there, which doesn’t require a 2 year contract (I’ll stay in Japan for about 9 more months). I have found some good offers on Gaijinpot. Does anyone know if they are any good for this kind of stuff? Also I have heard that it can be dangerous to rent without a deposit since they can charge you anything they want for damage. Most of the Gaijinpot houses have no deposit, so does anyone know if that’s true?
2 comments
The regular 2 year contract allow you to leave at any time. You can stay 1 month if you wanted.
Even with deposit they can charge you if the damage exceed the deposit amount. But the chargeable damage is controlled by the law.
You generally enter into a 2-year lease, but you are free to break it at any time.
That said, given the upfront costs, it may be better to examine a sharehouse or other such place (especially if you are considering needing internet at home.)
What you pay as a damage deposit has very little impact on what a landlord can charge you in damage.. it is just easier for them to claw up to that much back (even if they may not really be entitled ito it.) You legal liability for damage does not change.