Renting in Tokyo, Start to Finish — We’ll Walk You Through It
From your first message to move-in day, we’re with you in English, Chinese or Japanese. Whatever you need for your rental, chances are we can help.
Worried about any of these?
“Where do I even start?”
We walk you through 9 steps, from first chat to move-in. A rough idea is enough to begin.
See the 9 steps →“I’m still overseas.”
We find properties and guarantor companies that accept overseas screening. Viewings and the contract briefing happen online.
About overseas screening →“How long will it take?”
Usually 7–10 days from application to move-in. It depends on screening and the property.
See steps and timing →“What if I fail screening?”
No one can promise the result, but we look with you for properties and guarantor companies that accept overseas screening.
Screening FAQ →“I don’t speak Japanese.”
We explain everything in English, Chinese or Japanese. The contract briefing can be done online.
See the contract step →“How do I get from the airport?”
On arrival day, a private car takes you from the airport to your new home. Quoted separately.
About airport pickup →
How we help
- Your language: English, Chinese or Japanese.
- Online: video viewings for vacant units and an online important matters explanation (IT juusetsu). E-contracts for properties we manage ourselves (other properties depend on the management company).
- Pay from abroad: move-in costs by bank transfer, including international transfers.
- Keys the day before: usually handed over the day before move-in.
Most important
Apply and get screened before you come to Japan
You can apply and get through tenant screening before you arrive. MYHOUSING finds properties and guarantor companies that accept overseas screening.
- You’ll usually need your passport, your school admission letter, your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)※1, etc. The exact list depends on the guarantor company and the landlord.
- Consultation, viewings (vacant units) and the important matters explanation (IT juusetsu) all happen online, and international transfers are fine for move-in costs.
More in Renting in Tokyo as a Foreigner.
New
Airport pickup on arrival day
On the day you land, a private car with a driver can take you from the airport to your new home. No hauling suitcases through train transfers you don’t know. The fee is quoted separately.
- We can pick you up at any airport in Japan. We recommend booking 5–7 days before you arrive.
9 steps from first chat to move-in
From application to move-in usually takes 7–10 days (it depends on screening and the property).
Talk to us
Tell us what kind of place you’d like. It’s fine if you only have a rough idea.
More
We’ll ask about your budget (rent + management fee), area, layout, move-in date and must-haves.
Same day to a few days
Find a place
We suggest apartments that match. Let’s compare rent, deposit, key money, contract type and move-in dates together.
A few days to 2 weeks
Viewing
Check sunlight, noise, kitchen and bathroom, storage, and space for a washer and fridge. Vacant units can also be viewed by video call.
About 30 minutes per place
Apply
Fill in your name, workplace or school, emergency contact and so on. If you’re still overseas, we go through overseas screening.
More
An application is not yet a contract, so don’t worry※2.
Same day
Screening
The landlord and guarantor company review your application. If you’re still overseas, we find guarantor companies that accept overseas screening.
More
You may get a verification call, so keep your phone handy.
A few days to 1 week
Contract briefing and signing
A licensed real estate transaction specialist explains the key points before you sign※3. You can do this online (IT juusetsu).
More
Ask anything you’re unsure about before you sign.
About 1 hour
Pay move-in costs
Check the invoice and pay by the due date. Bank transfer and international transfer are both fine.
A few days around signing
Keys and move-in
Keys are usually handed over the day before move-in. If you move in on arrival day, you can also use our airport pickup.
More
After moving in, take photos of any scratches or marks. It gives you peace of mind.
Move-in day
Paperwork around move-in
- Address registration: within 14 days of moving, register at the city or ward office※4.
- Electricity, gas, water, internet: apply before you move in. Someone must be present to turn on the gas.
Before move-in to 14 days after
Timeframes are general estimates and vary by property, landlord, guarantor company and documents.
What it can look like (examples)
A, a student applying from overseas
- Messages us on LINE from home
- picks an apartment after an online viewing
- sends passport, admission letter and COE for overseas screening
- signs after an online explanation and pays by international transfer
- rides a private car from the airport to her new home on arrival day
B, moving within Tokyo
- Calls us on a weekday lunch break
- views 2 apartments on Saturday
- moves in about 7–10 days after applying
- picks up the keys the day before and moves in smoothly
These are examples to show how the service works, not real customer stories.
Good to know before you sign
- Lease type: a standard lease can be renewed; a fixed-term lease ends when the term is up※5.
- Renewal fee: not set by law; you pay it only if your contract says so※6.
- Changed your mind? If you withdraw before signing, any deposit you paid must be returned※2.
- Agent fee: ours is 1 month’s rent + tax (excluding management and common-area fees). We explain it and get your consent before you sign※7.
- Moving out: move-out costs are generally settled following MLIT’s restoration guidelines※8.
Settling into your new home
- Garbage: sorting and collection days differ by ward. In Toshima, put it out by 8:00 a.m. on collection day (7:30 a.m. around busy Ikebukuro Station) at your designated spot※9.
- Noise: go easy on footsteps, laundry, instruments and get-togethers late at night and early in the morning. If a neighbor’s noise bothers you, tell the management company.
- Something broken? Installed equipment is in principle the landlord’s to repair※10. Contact the management company before calling a repairer yourself.
- Fire insurance: if there’s a leak or other accident, contact the management company and your insurer right away.
- No subletting or short-term rentals: subletting without the landlord’s consent can get your lease terminated※10.
FAQ
How long does it take from application to move-in?
Usually 7–10 days, depending on screening and the property. Getting in touch 1–2 months before your move-in date gives you more choice.
Can I rent an apartment before I come to Japan?
Yes. Overseas screening lets you apply and be screened before you arrive, and MYHOUSING finds properties and guarantor companies that accept it. Consultation, viewings (vacant units) and the important matters explanation can be done online.
What documents do I need for overseas screening?
Usually your passport, your school admission letter, your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), etc. The exact list depends on the guarantor company and the landlord, and we'll tell you what's needed when you get in touch.
Can you take me from the airport to my new home?
Yes. On arrival day, a private car with a driver can take you from the airport to your new home. We cover any airport in Japan, and we recommend booking 5–7 days ahead. The fee is quoted separately.
Can I view the apartment and sign online?
Vacant units can be viewed online, and the important matters explanation can be done online (IT juusetsu). Properties MYHOUSING manages itself support e-contracts; for others, it depends on the management company.
Can I pay move-in costs from overseas?
Yes. Bank transfers, including international transfers, are fine.
When do I get the keys?
Usually the day before move-in. It can vary with the lease start date and the property.
Can my application be rejected?
It can. Criteria vary by landlord and guarantor company, and no agent can promise the result. Filling in your application accurately and having your documents ready helps a lot.
If I cancel my application, do I get my deposit back?
Yes. If you withdraw before signing, the agent cannot refuse to return a deposit you paid (Enforcement Regulation of the Real Estate Brokerage Act, Art. 16-11(2)).
Do I have to pay a renewal fee?
Only if your contract says so; it isn't set by law. Japan's Supreme Court has held that a clearly written renewal fee clause is valid unless there are special circumstances, such as an excessive amount (judgment of July 15, 2011). Check the amount and timing before you sign.
Can I sign a contract if I don't speak much Japanese?
Of course. We'll explain everything in English, and MLIT publishes sample contracts in 14 languages. Ask anything you're unsure about before you sign.
Questions? Just say hi
Haven’t decided when to move? Just want to ask a few things first? You’re very welcome. We’ll go at your pace, in English, Chinese or Japanese.
- Phone: 03-6812-1501 (from overseas: +81-3-6812-1501)
- Hours: 10:00–19:00 (closed Wednesdays and Sundays)
- MYHOUSING (株式会社マイハウジング), ウェルシャン池袋605, 1-17-3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013
Notes and sources (official information)
- ※1 Immigration Services Agency, Visas and Certificates of Eligibility (Japanese)
- ※2 Enforcement Regulation of the Real Estate Brokerage Act, Art. 16-11(2) (refund of deposits)
- ※3 Real Estate Brokerage Act, Art. 35 (important matters explanation)
- ※4 Basic Resident Registration Act, Art. 22 (moving-in notification). Foreign residents bring their Residence Card.
- ※5 Act on Land and Building Leases, Art. 26 (statutory renewal) and Art. 38 (fixed-term leases)
- ※6 Supreme Court judgment of July 15, 2011 (renewal fee clauses;Japanese)
- ※7 1970 Ministry of Construction Notice No. 1552, Part 4 (last amended 2024 by MLIT Notice No. 949;Japanese). For residential leases, charging the tenant 1 month requires the tenant's consent when the agent is engaged
- ※8 MLIT, Guidelines on Restoration to Original Condition
- ※9 Toshima City, How to Dispose of Garbage and Recyclables (English)
- ※10 Civil Code, Art. 606 (repairs) and Art. 612 (subletting)
Official places to get advice (mainly in Japanese):
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government "Rental Hotline" 03-5320-4958
- Consumer Affairs Agency "Consumer Hotline 188"
- MLIT "Sample lease contracts in 14 languages"
This page is general information. Check actual terms in the listing, the important matters explanation and the contract. (Information checked: October 31, 2026)