Housing

Chapter 11 Housing 1 Japanese Housing 1-1 Privately Owned Housing Housing which you own is generally called Privately Owned Housing, or mochi-ie in Japanese. Such properties can be detached houses or a condominium. If you want to have your own house built or to purchase one, you will need to go through many procedures. 1-2 Public housing Public housing is provided by local public entities at affordable rents for low-income persons who need somewhere to live. Requirements such as minimum income vary depending on the prefecture and municipality. 1-3 UR Rental Housing UR Rental Housing is managed by Urban Renaissance Agency (UR). There is a minimum monthly income requirement set by UR; you for non-Japanese can rent a unit if you meet the status of residence requirement (see 2-2). 1-4 Private Rental Housing This is the most popular way to rent a place to live in. Anybody can rent a unit by paying rent in accordance with the rental lease agreement. The agreement will vary depending on the housing to rent, so read it carefully before signing a contract.

11 Housing 2 Moving-in 2-1 Public housing • Public housing is provided by local public entities at affordable rents for low-income persons. Requirements such as minimum income vary from prefectures and municipalities. • In the case of foreign nationals, additional requirements may be imposed regarding the status or period of residence (for example, period of residence must be more than one year) or the resident history in Japan. • If you wish to live in public housing, apply to the prefecture or municipality in charge. • For more details about qualifications and application, please ask the prefecture or municipality who administrate the housing you wish to move in. 2-2 UR Rental Housing • You have to fulfill the requirements set forth by UR such as a minimum monthly income standard. • In the case of foreign nationals, they will need to reside continuously and have one of the following statuses of residence to be qualified to rent a unit: Diplomat, Official, Special Permanent Resident or Mid to Long-Term Resident (including Permanent Resident). • Contact UR Sales Office (UR Eigyo Center) for more details on the application and vacancies. 2-3 Private Rental Housing • ”Apartment Search Guidebook” and “Guide to Looking for a Home” are available for non- Japanese residents who are looking for private rental housing. • The “Apartment Search Guidebook” includes basic knowledge and useful information: i. How to search for housing and the process up to signing a contract - general lease procedures lease agreements in Japan differ from those in other countries ii. Required documents and budget iii. Moving-in procedures iv. Rules when living in Japanese housing v. Moving-out procedures vi. Useful terms regarding renting a room, etc. • The “Guide to Looking for a Home” provides basic information which is useful when searching rental housing in Japan and websites of real estate agencies offering services in foreign languages. Visit the website of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for more information. https://www.mlit.go.jp/jutakukentiku/house/jutakukentiku_house_tk3_000017.html

11 Housing “Apartment Search Guidebook” JAPANESE http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001317843.pdf ENGLISH http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001317844.pdf CHINESE http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001317845.pdf KOREAN http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001317846.pdf SPANISH http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001317847.pdf PORTUGUESE http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001317848.pdf VIETNAMESE http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001316936.pdf NEPALI http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001316937.pdf THAI http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001312581.pdf INDNESIAN http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001312584.pdf MYANMAR http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001312587.pdf KHMER http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001312589.pdf TAGALOG http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001312590.pdf MONGOLIAN http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001312591.pdf JAPANESE ENGLISH CHINESE KOREAN SPANISH PORTUGUESE VIETNAMESE NEPALI THAI INDONESIAN MYANMAR KHMER TAGALOG MONGOLIAN

11 Housing “Guide to Looking for a Home” https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001334734.pdf Information on rental housing available for foreign nationals https://safetynet-jutaku.mlit.go.jp/guest/index.php (JAPANESE)