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@Most foreighers are shocked by their first look at availbale rental houses. Expect to see small houses averaging 720 square feet or less for a two bedroom unit. They are built with unfamiliar materilas like tatami (straw mat) floors, and unfamiliar or no appliances at all. Newer homes have only one or two tatami rooms; the rest have carpet, tile or harwood floors, and some homes have no tatami.
@The standard bedroom size is six tatami, about 9 ft. by 12 ft. A "large master bedroom" is eight tatami, or 12ft. by 12 ft. Houses often have narrow doors and halls, and narrower staircases (e.g., 27 inch wide doors). Therefore, queen-size box springs or king size mattresses often won't fit upstairs. Door frames are often lower, about six feet from floor to top. Oversized couches or overstuffed chairs may not fit, since dining rooms are often just one end of a living room. Closets in bedrooms seldom have bars to hang clothes, and some are divided into upper and lower sections with no place to hang long dresses or coats. Storage inside the house or outside may be limited or non-existent, and there is usually no attic or basement and no garage.
@Members with large families having a four or more bedroom requirement are advised that suitable accommodations in both on and off base housing are severely limited. Sponsors in this category should seriously consider preceding the family to Japan to find appropriate accommodations. |
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| @Japanese residential streets are generally quite narrow, and large American
cars can present a problem traveling the back streets. Overnight parking
on city streets is forbidden and illegal parking in Japan is an expensive
violation. Your first parking ticket will cost Y15,000 (about $170) making
a parking space vital if you plan to own a car. Houses may or may not have
a parking space. A few have covers but garages are virtually nonexistent.
Rental listings available at the Welcome Center will indicate whether a
parking space is included or not. As a rule, apartment housing does not
have a parking space, and even if there is a space, a separate fee may
be assigned. If the rental does not come with a parking space check with
your agent or owner to find the nearest parking lot and if you can lease
a space monthly. Try to include this in the rental lease or it will not
be reimbursed to you. Expect to pay $100 to $500 a month for a parking
space. |
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@Japan electricity is 110 volts at 50 cycles. This causes American appliances to run slower, since their motors don't receive enough current. If you have a large-screen American television set, you may wish to purchase a voltage regulator to boost the current to prevent shrinkage of picture size. Items such as digital clocks, tape decks, and record players will run slower on the 50 cycle current, and will lose 10 minutes on the hour so will be unreliable for time telling.
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| @While the housing picture may be different than stateside, many families live on the economy and enjoy it. Approximately three percent of those stationed here refuse Navy Family Housing. There are many pleasant and educational features to living in Japan which make it extremely exciting. To sign a contract and move into a private rental will normally cost the equivalent of four months' rent in advance. Move-in costs can be quite expensive and are described below. Private rentals range from $1000 to $2000 a month. All payments are made in yen, the currency in Japan, and there is no draft checking accounts in Japan for individuals. |
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| @The first month's rent is paid in advance and the landlord/agent records
it in a rent book which he signs, stamps, and returns to you. The booklet
shows on which date of the month each successive rental payment is due
and the amount of security deposit. Generally, rent can be paid to the
house agent/owner directly by visiting the office or by an automatic transfer
of funds from a Japanese bank account. A bank account is a convenient way
to transfer rent directly to the owner's bank account on a certain date
of every month. You can go directly to the bank to transfer the money,
and some banks issue a convenience card to transfer rent directly to the
house agent or owner's account. |
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| @Almost all landlords require a security deposit which is a sum equal
to one month's rent. Upon termination of the rental contract, this amount
is refunded minus any damages and/or outstanding bills. Payment of these
charges will be deducted from the security deposit. Make certain that the
amount of security deposit, date, etc., is entered in your payment book.
Remember, before moving in, carefully check the house for damages. If there
are damages, the real estate agent should confirm and document them. This
helps to avoid problems related to refunding the security deposit. |
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| @Many realtors in this area are registered with the Japanese Government
and are legally authorized to receive a fee equal to one month's rent paid
by the tenant for their services in representing a landlord. |
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| @Equal to one month's rent paid as a gratuity to the owner of the rental. This money is paid to the owner for allowing you to live in the rental. |
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Yagome Real Estate Agent.
3-5, Uwa-machi, Yokosuka-City, Kanagawa Prefecture 238-0017
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TEL:81-46-825-2884 @Fax:81-46-823-0218
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Copyrightc2001-2013, Yagome Real Estate Agent. All Rights Reserved
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