Q1: What is a security deposit (shikikin)?

A: It is money you place with the landlord. When you move out, the cost of restoring the property is deducted and the remaining amount is returned to you.

Q2: What is key money (reikin)?

A: It is a gratuity paid to the landlord.

Q3: Is key money always required?

A: It actually depends on the property. Recently, more and more rooms come with no key money. That said, popular areas and newer buildings still often require it.

Q4: What is a guarantor company?

A: It is a company that guarantees your rent. In recent years, signing up with one has become mandatory for almost 100% of properties.

Q5: How much does a guarantor company cost?

A: It varies by company, but typically 50–100% of one month's rent at the start, plus an annual renewal fee of around 10,000 yen.

Q6: What is fire insurance?

A: Fire insurance is something you will almost always be asked to take out. It is an important policy that covers not only fire but also water leaks, damage from natural disasters, and liability for damage caused to neighboring units.

Q7: What is 24-hour trouble support?

A: It is a service that responds 24 hours a day to problems such as water leaks, lost keys, and broken glass.

Q8: What is deodorizing and antibacterial treatment?

A: It is a treatment carried out before you move in.

Q9: What is a renewal fee (koushinryo)?

A: It is an additional cost, most often paid every two years, and generally about one month's rent. It is especially common in Tokyo, while in some regional areas there is no renewal fee at all.

Q10: What is tenant screening?

A: Before renting a room, the landlord or guarantor company will conduct a screening to check whether you can pay the rent properly and follow the house rules. It is common for them to review your workplace, income, and residence status. At SIMCITY, we assist foreign nationals with their home search on a daily basis. We explain the documents you will need and how requirements differ between guarantor companies. The decision rests with the guarantor company and the landlord, so we cannot promise an outcome.

Q11: What is the schedule from application to move-in?

A: About two weeks is the usual timeframe.

Q12: I would like to avoid paying rent on two places at once.

A: As a rule, the new rent begins after about two weeks, but if you have a date in mind we will negotiate as hard as we can — please talk to us!

Q13: How much are the initial costs?

A: Most commonly it comes to about 4.5–5.5 months' rent, but we also have many lower-cost properties, so please ask us.

Q14: Can I run a vacation rental (minpaku)?

A: Operating a vacation rental without permission is absolutely not allowed. However, we also handle properties where vacation rental use is permitted, so please do ask us.

Q15: How do I set up utilities (water, electricity, gas) and internet?

A: You need to apply to each company before moving in. SIMCITY offers free support to arrange all of these together when you move, so please do ask us.

Q16: What should I buy first when I move in?

A: Curtains and toilet paper, we would say.

Q17: Will my security deposit come back?

A: In principle it is refunded when you move out. However, if there is dirt or damage, repair costs will be deducted, so please take care.

Q18: How much income do I need to rent a room?

A: As a general guide, rent should be within one third of your income. For example, if you earn 300,000 yen a month, a rent of around 100,000 yen is comfortable. At SIMCITY we ask about your income and your employment, then look for rooms that match what you want and what your situation allows. The landlord and the guarantor company decide the outcome of the screening, so we cannot promise a result.

Q19: Are there properties with furniture and appliances included?

A: Yes, there are furnished properties with appliances. We can support you with either buying or renting furniture and appliances.

Q20: What happens if I want to cancel my lease early?

A: You can normally cancel with one to two months' notice. However, if you cancel within a short period, a penalty fee may apply.

Q21: Can I get a mobile phone number without an address?

A: Yes, you can. To sign a mobile phone contract in Japan you normally need an address and a residence card. If you are on a short stay, or have not yet decided where to live, a contract can be difficult. But please don't worry. At SIMCITY we can tell you about options you can use before your home is decided, such as data SIMs and prepaid SIMs, which are popular with our foreign national customers.

Q22: How is a residence card issued?

A: A residence card is issued to foreign nationals staying in Japan for the medium to long term, either on entry or at the municipal office. You will need your passport and a photograph. At SIMCITY we can support you with the flow of municipal procedures at the same time as your home search, so that even first-time arrivals can start life here with confidence.

Q23: How can I get a visa?

A: A visa is issued through Japanese embassies or the Immigration Bureau for entering and staying in Japan. The required documents differ depending on the type, such as work visas, student visas, or family stay visas. Visa applications themselves are handled by certified administrative scriveners (gyoseishoshi). SIMCITY can introduce you to a partner scrivener, so you can discuss your visa and your housing together. We cannot judge whether a visa will be granted.

Q24: Are outdoor shoes strictly prohibited indoors?

A: Yes. Japanese homes are, as a rule, shoe-free. There is a culture of taking your shoes off at the entrance; it is both good manners and a rule of daily life. SIMCITY also introduces furnished properties and design-focused properties that are popular with foreign nationals, so you can find a comfortable home even before you get used to Japanese customs.

Q25: Are the garbage rules strict?

A: Yes, they are strict. This causes a lot of trouble, so please follow the rules of your local municipality and separate burnable waste, non-burnable waste, recyclables, bottles, cans and PET bottles before putting them out.

Q26: What should I do with oversized waste?

A: Oversized waste cannot be put out with ordinary garbage. You apply to your municipality, book a collection date, attach a sticker, and put it out. Collection takes about a month, so please arrange it early.

Q27: Can foreign nationals rent a home?

A: Of course you can. Screening by the guarantor company, the management company and the property owner is required, but even if you do not speak Japanese there is no problem as long as you have support. Please leave it to us.

Q28: What documents do I need when signing a contract?

A: Your passport, residence card, proof of income, and details of your employer. These four are the basics.

Q29: What kind of trouble with neighbors is most common?

A: The most common is noise. Sounds at night and musical instruments are particularly likely to cause problems. In shared buildings everyone is living side by side, so let us all live without causing trouble to others.

Q30: What is the first procedure I should complete after arriving in Japan?

A: Go to your municipal office and register your address on your residence card.

Q31: Can I open a bank account?

A: You will need a mobile phone number and an address, so please arrange those two first.

Q32: How do I get a health insurance card?

A: Once you have registered your address at the municipal office, a notice will arrive at your home. Take it to the municipal office and your card will be issued.

Q33: I don't live in Japan yet. Can I still rent or buy a home?

A: In principle, yes. Even if you do not live in Japan, you can sign a contract if you have a passport, a planned residence status, and details of your employer. However, because the guarantor company needs to confirm your ability to pay rent, you may be asked for proof of income or details of your overseas employer. Even if you cannot view a property because you have not yet travelled to Japan, you can still sign a contract by using an online viewing or a proxy viewing. At SIMCITY we use video viewings and electronic contract systems so that you can search for and contract a property while you are still overseas.

Q34: Can foreign nationals buy real estate?

A: Yes — there are no restrictions based on nationality. A cash purchase is straightforward; for a loan, conditions differ from bank to bank. The procedure changes considerably depending on whether or not you have an address in Japan. Please do consult us.

Q35: Can foreign nationals take out a loan?

A: Even foreign nationals can obtain a loan if they have a stable income in Japan and meet conditions such as residence status and years of employment. However, the screening criteria differ by bank. SIMCITY can point you to financial institutions that have handled lending to foreign nationals. Whether a loan is approved, and on what terms, is decided by each institution's own review.

Q36: What is the schedule for buying a property?

A: The process from property search to contract and handover usually takes about 1–2 months. ① Property search → ② Purchase application → ③ Preliminary screening by the bank → ④ Contract → ⑤ Final loan screening → ⑥ Settlement & handover. This is the general flow. SIMCITY guides you through each stage from property search to contract, and can explain contract documents in English and Chinese. Where specialists are responsible — financing with the bank, registration with a judicial scrivener — we introduce them at the appropriate time.

Q37: What is a bank's preliminary screening?

A: Before you buy a property, preliminary screening is where the bank decides how much it can lend you. Your annual income, employer and residence status are checked. If you pass the preliminary screening, the property contract can proceed smoothly. For Japanese nationals and for customers of other nationalities alike, we can point you to financial institutions that accept applications from foreign nationals. Whether a loan is granted, and on what terms, is decided by each institution's own screening. If you have concerns about a loan, this is exactly the time to talk to us.

Q38: What costs are there besides the property price?

A: In addition to the property price you will need a brokerage fee, registration costs, judicial scrivener fees, fire insurance premiums, a loan administration fee, and a settlement of fixed asset tax. As a guide these come to around 7–10% of the property price. SIMCITY simulates the initial costs clearly in advance. If you want to avoid the "it cost more than I expected" problem, please do consult us.

Q39: How much of a down payment do I need?

A: When buying a property, a down payment of roughly 2–20% of the price is the general guide. For a 50 million yen property, that is about 1 million to 10 million yen. A higher cash ratio is advantageous in loan screening. Of course, there are also banks that will lend with no down payment at all, so please do consult us once. At SIMCITY we support down payment simulations and comparisons of conditions between banks, matched to your situation.

Q40: How much is fixed asset tax?

A: Fixed asset tax comes to several hundred thousand yen a year. For a condominium, management fees and the repair reserve fund are also a guide of 10,000–30,000 yen a month.

Q41: I want to buy a property with a loan. How much annual income do I need?

A: The general guide is that you can borrow up to five to seven times your annual income. With an annual income of 5 million yen, a loan of roughly 25 million to 35 million yen is typical. At SIMCITY we compare conditions bank by bank and simulate the loan that suits you.

Q42: Does the contract have to be in Japanese?

A: Almost all contracts are in Japanese, but at SIMCITY we can explain them in several languages, including English, Chinese and Korean.

Q43: Which is better, a house or a condominium?

A: House: the land becomes an asset, no management fees, greater freedom to renovate.
Condominium: better security, often close to a station, easier to sell in future.
The right choice depends on whether you will live there or use it as an investment, and on whether you prioritize convenience or asset value. At SIMCITY we have comparison materials for houses and condominiums to match your lifestyle or investment purpose.

Q44: Which is better, renting or buying?

A: Renting is convenient for people on short stays or who relocate often. In Tokyo in particular, renting is more common. Initial costs are required, but the advantage is that you can move flexibly. On the other hand, buying is worth considering for those thinking about building assets. After purchase, loan repayments turn into an asset, so over the long term it can work out better. SIMCITY can propose both renting and buying, so you can make the choice that best fits your plans for the future.

Q45: Can I view a property at any time?

A: Depending on the property, a same-day viewing is sometimes possible, but there are also cases where a booking is needed to suit the owner or the management company. At SIMCITY we adjust the schedule to suit you, so that even busy customers can view properties without strain.

Q46: Do you handle commercial premises as well as homes?

A: Yes, we handle many shops, offices and business premises. We can also make proposals suited to your line of business, such as restaurants or hair salons. At SIMCITY we do not only introduce properties; we also advise on the permits and procedures needed to open.

Q47: Do you handle investment properties?

A: Absolutely. We can introduce a wide range of investment properties, from studio condominiums to whole buildings. We can also make proposals that include yield and exit strategy. We handle investment properties for clients based in Japan and overseas, so please feel free to consult us.

Q48: Does buying real estate in Japan grant permanent residency?

A: Purchasing real estate in itself does not grant permanent residency. However, there are cases where it is a positive factor in a long-term plan to stay.

Q49: Which investment properties are popular in Japan?

A: Studio condominiums, family-sized condominiums, whole apartment buildings and commercial buildings are popular.

Q50: Which areas will rise in value in future?

A: It cannot be said in general terms, but redevelopment areas — along the Yamanote Line, around new stations, and central city districts — are attracting attention.

Q51: I want to rent out the property I bought. Do you also manage properties?

A: Yes, SIMCITY also carries out property management. You can leave everything to us, from finding tenants to collecting rent and attending move-out inspections. Owners can concentrate on running their property business with peace of mind.

Q52: I want to find a new tenant for my rental property. Can you find one?

A: Yes. We have extensive experience in rental brokerage. We can handle tenant recruitment, viewings and contract procedures all together. Owners troubled by vacancies are very welcome to consult us.

Q53: For management, what are the brokerage fee and the monthly management fee?

A:When a tenant is found, the brokerage fee is generally one month's rent plus tax. The management fee depends on the property and the scope of work, but a monthly 1.5% - 3% - 5% is the guide. We also handle enquiries about switching management companies, and we explain the breakdown of costs in advance so that you can entrust the work to us with confidence. Please do consult us.

Q54: Will the rent actually be collected?

A: At SIMCITY we also handle rent guarantees and payment management on your behalf, so you can rest easy.

Q55: What happens when a tenant moves out?

A: We can handle everything together, from arranging restoration work to finding a new tenant.

Q56: Is it possible to sell a property as well?

A: Yes, selling is also possible. We provide full support from appraisal and marketing activities to contract and settlement. We also handle purchase consultations with a focus on speed. How long a sale takes, and at what price, depends on the property and the timing. We will work through with you whether brokerage or a direct purchase by a real estate company suits your situation better. We cannot promise a period or an amount.

Q57: What should I do with real estate I have inherited?

A: Inherited property can be sold, rented out as an investment, or handed over to a management company. At SIMCITY we listen to your situation and explain the outlook for each option. For tax and registration procedures we can introduce a tax accountant or a judicial scrivener.