I’m set to arrive in Japan on July 24 so I’m trying to find an apartment I can move into pretty soon after in the Tachikawa area. My realtor (I’m working with Relocation Japan) sent me an apartment that I really liked and we’re in the process of applying for a lease. My realtor knows I’m only looking to rent the apartment for one year, but the contract lists two years. He assured me that I can cancel the lease anytime without a penalty fee. However, I’m a bit uncomfortable signing a lease that lists two years. Is this normal in Japan? Signing a two-year agreement and then leaving after one? Is there anything I should be worried about? Thanks!
4 comments
Don’t sign it. Contracts in Japan are binding; if you break it you will pay fine. I think the realtor is interested in closing the contract and doesn’t care about the repercussions.
Most rental contracts are two years with a two-month notice to break the lease without a penalty. I think you can trust your realtor. Edited to add: Every rental contract I’ve had in Japan, I’ve had to leave prior to the end of the two-year rental term, and every contract has stipulated two-months notice for early termination of the lease. I’ve never had to pay any penalty fee, just the standard cleaning fee.
This is normal. In Tokyo most rental contracts work on a 2 year basis and then they sting you with a renewal fee. You can break these contracts very easily without any additional fees usually. Just check the paper work. They are legally obliged to read the contract to you before you sign. Relo should have translators to do so. The more concerning aspect of this is that you would sign a contract without actually seeing the apartment and location. Please actually look at the apartment in person before signing anything.
Apartments I was given to look at also stated 2 year lease