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Rental Contract Basics

Deposit, key money, guarantor company, and move-out notice basics.

Who this is for: People signing, renewing, or ending a private rental in Japan
Deadline: Check application, renewal, cancellation, and move-out notice deadlines

Do this todaySummarize initial, monthly, renewal, cancellation, and notice costs

If the deadline is near or passedIf a signing, cancellation-notice, or move-out deadline may be missed, contact the manager in writing today and confirm extra costs and a new date. Use 188 for unresolved disputes.

Where to goAgent, landlord or manager; public consumer service for disputes

rentalcontracthousing

Official information checked: 2026-07-18Review status: Reviewed

Step-by-step guide

Follow these steps

Progress: 0/4 completed

1Confirm your case and deadlineTotal initial and monthly costs / Ask about unclear terms before signing

What to do

1Before applying, list rent, management fee, deposit, key money, brokerage, guarantee, insurance, key-change, and renewal fees; confirm initial and monthly totals
2Obtain the lease, important-matters explanation, and guarantor terms before signing; ask in writing about move-out notice, early-cancellation penalties, restoration, and prohibited use

Check before you start

Summarize initial, monthly, renewal, cancellation, and notice costs
Ask about unclear clauses before signing
Photograph every room, fixture, and meter on move-in day

If the deadline is near or passed

If a signing, cancellation-notice, or move-out deadline may be missed, contact the manager in writing today and confirm extra costs and a new date. Use 188 for unresolved disputes.

2Prepare the office and documentsReview important matters / Photograph move-in condition

What to do

1During the explanation, confirm term and renewal, equipment, repair contact, renter insurance, guarantor, and move-out settlement; save answers and signed documents
2On move-in day before placing belongings, use the MLIT checklist or equivalent to photograph and video dated damage, stains, odors, and equipment operation

Basic items to bring

Contract, important matters, cost breakdown
Identity documents
Guarantor or guarantee company
Move-in checklist and photos
Cancellation, inspection, and key-return records

Fees

Check deposit, key money, agency, guarantor, insurance, lock, advance rent, renewal, and move-out charges item by item in the estimate and contract.

Online options

Even with online explanation or e-signing, save every document and ask about the property, costs, cancellation, and restoration before agreeing.

If you cannot go

Proxy signing depends on landlord, manager, and identity checks. Confirm authorization, contract name, payment liability, and key pickup.

If documents are missing

If a document is missing, do not guess or substitute it. Tell the office its exact name and ask whether you can consult first, submit it later, and where to obtain it.

3File or applySend the move-in record on time / Confirm repairs and who pays

What to do

1Send the move-in record by the contract deadline and save date, recipient, and acknowledgment; report later-discovered defects in writing too
2Do not alter faulty equipment yourself; report date, place, condition, photos, and impact, then confirm repair timing and who pays

Time to completion

Screening, signing, and key handover may occur on different dates. Confirm the decision date, signing deadline, and move-in date.

4Confirm completion and the next deadlineGive move-out notice on time / Check the basis for move-out charges

What to do

1Give notice by the contract deadline and method, then record move-out date, inspection, key return, utility stops, and final-bill destination
2Keep exit photos and checklist and request an itemized charge with contract and restoration basis; call Consumer Hotline 188 for unresolved contract disputes

Confirm at completion

Contract, costs, rules, and move-out notice are understood and saved
Move-in photos/checklist were sent to management with proof

What you receive

Keep the contract, key disclosures, cost breakdown, key receipt, move-in photos or checklist, and repair contact.

Check before leaving

Before leaving, check your name, address, covered period, and procedure type, then ask about the next deadline and contact method.

Records to keep

Keep the reference number, filing date, office, copies of submitted documents, and next contact date. Save confirmation screens and emails for online filings.

Next action

On move-in day, photograph damage, equipment, and meters and report by the contract deadline, then handle insurance, address, utilities, and waste rules.

Confirm with the official office

This page cannot determine the latest form, appointment and hours, municipality-specific additions, individual review, or same-day handling. Confirm these immediately before filing.
Initial costs, clauses, guarantor, renewal, wear, notice, move-out charges

Important cautions