Generally, when renting a private apartment in Japan, people first consult with a real estate agent. The agents will introduce and show you apartments for free.
There are some unique Japanese customs involved in renting an apartment. If this is your first time renting an apartment in Japan, we recommend that you ask someone who speaks Japanese to accompany you to the real estate agency. When signing the contract, please fully understand the specifications of the apartment and the terms of the contract to avoid any troubles.
The International Support Center also offers support services with tenancy matters, so students, researchers and faculty members can complete the tenancy contract procedure with ease.
Contents
1. Joint Guarantor
When you rent an apartment in Japan, you generally need a joint guarantor. If you do not pay the rent by the due date, or if you break something in the room and do not pay for the repair, the landlord will ask the guarantor to pay them on your behalf. (Note: This doesn’t mean you are free from responsibility.)
In the case of Japanese students, their parents or relatives often act as joint guarantors, but recently it has become common to use guarantee services provided by private companies.
Tohoku University strongly recommends that international students use the ‘SUMURAKU Plan’ provided by the Tohoku University Co-op when signing contracts for private apartments. (Applications open from January 2025.) Under this plan, a private guarantor company will act as the joint guarantor for the international student (the tenant). To use this plan, students must be enrolled in the ‘Comprehensive Insurance for Students’ Lives Coupled with Gakkensai (Inbound Futai-Gakuso) for International Students,’ specifically the E-type plan, which includes tenant liability coverage up to 10 million yen. If you are not yet enrolled in the Inbound Futai-Gakuso or need to change your insurance type, please contact the academic affairs section in your department. (Faculty and researchers are not eligible for the ‘SUMURAKU Plan.’)
- Comprehensive Renters’ Insurance for International Students and Housing Joint Guarantor System
The Tohoku University Housing Joint Guarantor System will stop accepting new applications as of December 31, 2024. International students currently using the Housing Joint Guarantor System can continue to renew it until the completion of their current course as of December 31, 2024 (see below for details). After that, we recommend using the ‘SUMURAKU Plan’ for any future renewals.
If you have any questions regarding the renewal of the Housing Joint Guarantor System, please contact the academic affairs section in your department.
[Example]
Currently a 4th-year undergraduate student
- September 30, 2024:
- Rental agreement expires
- Renewal of apartment contract
- Renewal of Tohoku University Joint Guarantor System contract
- April 1, 2025:
- Advancing to 2-year Master’s program
- March 31, 2027:
- Completion of the program
- Moving out of the apartment
If the renewal date of the TU Joint Housing Guarantee System is earlier than the graduation or completion date of the current course you are enrolled in as of December 31, 2024, you may renew the system. However, if you advance to the next course within the university after this date, the TU Joint Housing Guarantee System will no longer be available for renewal. In this case, please consult with your landlord or apartment management company and either join the ‘SUMURAKU Plan’ or use another guarantor company to renew your apartment contract.
(Note: If you progress from a research student to a graduate program, you can continue to renew the International Student Housing Guarantee System after your transition.)
The International Support Center also provides support services for international students, researchers and faculty members in finding prospective rental units that accept rental guarantor companies in place of a joint guarantor. Please be advised that in general, rental guarantor companies would charge a one-off fee that ranges between 50%~100% of monthly rental with an annual renewal fee. If you decide to use the service of a rental guarantor company, please be sure to check your contract for details of any incurring costs before signing.
2. Costs Involved to Rent a House
Rent varies according to the location, the size of the apartment, its age, the extent of furnishing, In total, you will need to pay about 5 to 7 months’ rent before you can move in (see below).
The following table represents general costs you incur when renting private housing. Please note that all information is for your reference only, and the actual cost will vary depending on the district or landlord.
| Fee | Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Security Deposit | About 3 months’ rent | To cover the cost in case of unpaid rent, and expenses for cleaning and repair fees upon moving out. The remaining balance may be refunded. |
| Key Money | About 1-2 months’ rent | Gratuity paid for the right to use a property; usually nonrefundable. |
| Real Estate Agent’s Fee | About 1 month’s rent | Paid to the intermediary real estate company. |
| Rent | 1 month’s rent | The first month’s rent. |
| Rental Guarantor Company Fee*1 | 50% – 100% of a month’s rent | One-off fee to be paid to the rental guarantor company, with annual renewal fee. |
Additional Cost after moving in (besides the monthly rent)
| Common Charge | Fee for maintenance and management of the shared parts of facilities at properties such as apartment buildings. |
|---|---|
| Utility Charges | Fees for electricity, gas, water and telephone etc. |
3. Areas and Price Ranges
Aoba-ku: Kunimi Area
The Sanjo-machi area contains a number of dorms for international students, such as Tohoku University International House (Sanjo 1 and 2), and University House Sanjo/Sanjo II/Sanjo III. This makes it easy for international students to meet one another. All campuses are accessible from here by bicycle. Also, as it is in a hilly area, rental prices are low compared with other parts of the city. Many international students live in this area. If you have children in preschool or elementary school who want to learn Japanese, the Kunimi Elementary School district is generally open to foreign children.
It is possible to commute to Kawauchi Campus for school/work by city bus (190 yen each way). Aobayama Campus can be reached by taking the city bus to a Tozai Line station, then transferring to the subway.
Aoba-ku: Hachiman, Kawauchi, Kashiwagi, and Katahira Areas
These areas are popular among international students who like cycling, as the ground is more level than in the Kunimi, Aobayama, and Yagiyama areas. However, although they are closer to the city and more convenient, the average rent is a little higher.
Taihaku-ku: Yagiyama Area
Apartments around the Yagiyama Zoological Park subway station are convenient for commuting to Aobayama and Kawauchi campuses for school/work. Except for places near the subway station, many apartments have relatively low rent compared with the Kunimi and Hachiman areas.
Reference: Average Rent for Each Area (as of January 2023)
| Area | Unfurnished Single Occupancy Units （JPY） |
Furnished Single Occupancy Units （JPY） |
Unfurnished Couple Units （JPY） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawauchi / Aramaki-aza-aoba | 51,000~64,000 | 65,000~70,000 | *58,000~,70,000 |
| Hachiman / Tsunogorou | 61,000~63,000 | *63,000~70,000 | 69,000~74,000 |
| Kashiwagi / Kamisugi / Kimachi-doori | 62,000~71,000 | *71,000~80,000 | 82,000~100,500 |
| Kunimi / Kitayama / Sanjo-machi | 46,000~54,000 | 48,000~58,000 | 57,000~63,000 |
| Yagiyama / Mukaiyama | 50,000~55,000 | *56,000~60,000 | 61,000~68,000 |
| Katahira / City center | 68,000~79,000 | 73,000~88,000 | 81,000~114,000 |
- The number of rental properties with rent prices labelled with an asterisk(*) is quite scarce.
- The rental prices indicated above are for properties that are less than 20 years old. Properties that are older than 20 years old generally have cheaper rental prices.
- Although Sendai has many single-occupant units, the number of apartments suitable for couples or families is limited. Please note that you are required to declare the actual number of occupants who will be living in the same house, and that it is necessary to obtain the approval of the above from the landlord or real estate agency in advance. Sharing an apartment without permission is a violation of the lease.
4. Non-Japanese Friendly Agents and Apartments
The following are real estate agencies that can help you in English, international student dormitories operated by the private sector, and apartments available for both short-term and long-term stays. For more information, please contact each of them directly.
English-speaking real estate agencies
1. Tohoku University COOP
Tohoku University COOP Real Estate Division
Welfare Facilities, Kawauchi-Kita Campus
Tel: 022-262-1775
Fax: 022-262-1832
E-mail: apart@tohoku.u-coop.or.jp
Tohoku University COOP Campus Life Support Plaza
Tohoku University, Aobayama Campus, Aobayama Midori Welfare Facilities 2F
Phone: 022-721-5162
Fax: 022-262-9889
Accommodations Friendly for Non-Japanese Residents
Dormitories for International Students Operated by Private Sector
Guesthouses Available for Long-Term Stays
Private Apartments Mainly for Researchers/Share House
5. Video Tutorial-Tips on Finding Apartment in Sendai (For International Students)
The International Support Center is providing a tutorial video as follows.
This video has useful information for international students who are looking to rent private apartments for the first time in Japan.
URL(Google Classroom)：https://classroom.google.com/w/MTAxOTAyMjIxMzkz/tc/Njk4MjY1OTU0ODg5
Class Code：wfm3mxf
＊Please log in with your DC email.
6. Moving
When you are planning to move out of your apartment, you need to notify the landlord at least one to two months prior to your move-out date. Please be sure to contact the landlord by the deadline specified in the contract.
If you use Tohoku University’s Housing joint guarantor system, you must complete the termination procedure at the administrative office of your department.
You can see the details on the steps to move out on the following page.
7. Support with Tenancy Matters
The International Support Center offers a wide range of assistance related to tenancy matters, and international students, researchers, and faculty members are all welcome to apply for this service free of charge.
