Housing
Rental Contract
In order to establish a rental contract, an amount equivalent to
four to six months rent will be necessary for the following transactions:
(1) Key money: To be paid to the landlord (equivalent to one to
two months rent). Non-refundable.
(2) Deposit: To be reserved for possible delinquent monthly rents.
It is refundable at the time of termination of contract, however,
the amount may be lower after repair costs. (Equivalent to one to
two months rent)
(3) Handling fees: To be paid to the real estate agency (equivalent
of one month’s rent).
(4) Advance rent: To be paid for the following month’s rent
by the end of the month. Rent for a portion of a month is calculated
on a daily basis.
As there may be a number of restrictions in the contract, such as
no kerosene room heaters, no pets or restrictions on the number
of people allowed to reside, be sure to check your contract thoroughly
before signing it. Generally, contracts are valid for two years
and renewable thereafter with renewal fees.
Procedures When Moving
There are a number of procedures that must be taken care of, including
changes in your foreign residents’ registration card. When
moving:
(1) For electricity, gas and water, call the local offices to inform
them of when you are moving. Give them your customer number which
is on your receipt, and your new address. For gas service, only
service men can seal or open the main gas valve.
(2) For telephone, call 116. As installation work may be necessary
at your new residence, it is better to notify the telephone company
early.
(3) For postal service, you can have your mail forwarded up to one
year by submitting a change of address form at the post office.
(4) Notification of your change of address must also be made for
schools, banks, driver’s license and other matters.
Some Advice and Neighbor Relations
Please observe the conditions stipulated in your rental contract
and work to maintain good relations with your neighbors. In Japan,
when people move in, they commonly visit their new neighbors to
introduce themselves. Your neighbors will be helpful in daily matters,
such as the trash pickup schedule and crime prevention while you
are away. Your landlord and next-door neighbors will be particularly
important when you are away for a long period of time. We encourage
you to greet them regularly to maintain good relations.
Electricity, Gas and Water
Electricity in Tokyo
Voltage is set at 100 and the current is 50Hz for eastern Japan.
If your electrical appliances are not designed for these, some damage
to the appliance may occur if used without any alternations.
When Power Is Out for Your Entire Residence
(1) Circuit breakers automatically shut off to stop the flow of
electricity when you use more amperage at the same time than the
amount your residence can handle at one time. Turn off some of the
appliances first and then turn on the breaker switch. You can find
out the amount of amperage you can use by looking at the color or
number on the ampere breaker. For regular residences, pink means
15 amperes (1,500 watts), yellow, 20 amperes (2,000 watts), and
green, 30 amperes (3,000 watts). If you wish to change the amperage
for your residence, call the Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. for
no-cost service. However, the basic charge in your monthly bill
will change.
(2) The circuit breaker automatically shuts off when a short circuit
occurs in your appliance. Find the appliance which caused the short
circuit first, and turn on the breaker switch.
For information concerning electricity, contact the Tokyo Electric
Power Co., Inc. Customer Consultation Room.
Address: 1-1-13, Shinbashi, Minato-ku. Tel: 3503-3845
Gas in Tokyo
The gas supplied in Tokyo’s 23 cities is type 13A. It is
highly dangerous to use gas appliances which are not designed for
type 13A; imperfect combustion and other problems can result.
When You Smell Gas
When you smell gas or think there is any possibility of a gas leak
in your residence, never touch an electric switch. Open windows
and doors right away and notify the local service branch of the
gas company. Service branches are open 24 hours a day.
For information concerning gas, contact the Nanbu Branch of the
Tokyo Gas Company. Tel: 5722-0111
Water in Tokyo
Tap water is drinkable in Tokyo, however, it carries the smell
of chlorine. If you want to get rid of the smell, let the water
stand for a while or boil it. If the water supply in your neighborhood
will be cut off for a short period, or if work is scheduled on the
pipes near your home, leaflets will be distributed in advance.
For information concerning water services, contact the Chiyoda Service
Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks. Address:
2-1-12, Uchi-Kanda. Tel: 3256-6151
Trash Disposal and Recycling
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