This page Sumida City Guide Housing and Utilities

Housing and Utilities

Private Rental Housing

The majority of foreigners in Tokyo live in private rental properties. These include single houses, condominiums and apartments. Single houses are not a part of a housing complex; condominiums (mansions) are reinforced concrete or steel frame structures of medium to high-rise height. Apartments are typically a wooden structure, normally a part of a complex. The most common way to find a house or apartment to rent is to go to a real estate agent.

Public Housing (Koei jutaku)

Public housing is built and managed by local governments (at the metropolitan or prefectural level) with financial support from the central government to provide relatively inexpensive rental properties to those who need them. Foreigners also are entitled to apply for public housing. Since there are far more applicants than vacancies, allocation is normally decided by lottery with a few exceptions. There are also some conditions that need to be met by applicants.

Tokyo Metropolitan (Toei) Housing

Foreigners living in Tokyo, with more than two family members who are registered and have lived in Japan continuously for more than one year or who have permanent residence status are entitled to apply for public housing. There is an income ceiling.

For further information, please inquire at the Housing Division, Sumida City Hall, 9th Floor, Tel. 5608-6215,, or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Housing, Tenants' Recruitment Section, Tel. 3498-8894.

Tokyo Metropolitan Housing Supply Corporation (Kosha) Housing

Registered foreign residents with more than two family members who have resided in Japan for more than one year continuously or with permanent status, are qualified to apply. There is an income ceiling.

For further information, please inquire at the Application Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Housing Supply Corporation, Tel. 3409-4522.

Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Kodan) Housing

Foreigners registered and hired by corporations, who can understand the contents of the rental agreement or those who have permanent status, are entitled to apply. There is an income ceiling.

For further information, please inquire at the Housing and Urban Development Corporation, Application Center, Tel. 3347-4375.

Useful Phrases

Rental Contact and Fee

A convenient way to look for rental housing is to go to a real estate agent near a train station. Explain your needs, such as price, space required and location. The agent will show you properties that will meet your needs. When you sign the contract, try to understand the contents as fully as possible or it may cause some problems later.

Rental Fee

When you sign a contract, you will have to pay to the equivalent of approximately four to six months' rent.

1. Reikin or key money - to be paid to the landlord, normally the equivalent of one or to months' rent, non-refundable when you move out.
2. Shikikin or rent/damage deposit - normally the equivalent of one to two months' rent, to be applied if you cause any damage to the property. The cost to repair the damage is subtracted from this deposit and the remaining balance is returned to you when you move out.
   * Hoshokin or a deposit, which is the combination of reikin and shikikin, is sometimes required instead of separate reikin and shikikin.
3. Chukai-ryo or brokerage fee - normally one month's rent is paid to the real estate agent.
4. One month's rent in advance
   In certain cases, maintenance fees are required in addition to the monthly rent; confirm by reading the contents of your rental agreement contract. The contract usually expires after two years; if you wish to renew your contract there will be a commission fee. If you want to move out before the expiration of the contract, there should be a clause stating the period in which the landlord must be notified - usually one month in advance.

On Housing

1. For more effective crime and disaster prevention, it is a good idea to know your neighbors well and be friends with them. Pay a visit to your neighbors when you move in. Your positive participation in municipal organizations and voluntary resident associations may add more meaningful, enjoyable elements to your life in Japan.
2. In a condominium or an apartment in Japan, normally try to establish a better living environment for everyone concerned. Do not make any loud noise at night, or be a bother to your neighbors.
3. Some housing complexes contractually prohibit the keeping of pets on the premises. If this does not apply to you, you should still make sure that your pets do not bother your neighbors.
4. When you leave for a long period of time, inform your landlord, property manager, or neighbors.
5. Every June and July in Japan is called tsuyu, or the rainy season. The high humidity during this time creates in ideal environment of mildew to grow. Mildew leaves a very difficult stain to remove, so when there is a nice day during the rainy season, ventilate the house as thoroughly as possible.
6. Ticks, which feed on mildew and dust, are known to cause asthma and skin disorders. Frequent cleaning of your rooms is recommended as a preventive measure.

Real estate agency advertisements

Utilities

If There Is a Blackout

In the Kanto area the ordinary Japanese house current is 100 volts, 50-cycle frequency. If you use more current than the allowed amperage at any one time, or if you have a short circuit in one of the electrical appliance cords, the circuit breaker will automatically disconnect, stopping all electrical power. Check the appliances for short-circuited cords, reduce the number of appliances in use, then turn the circuit breaker back on.

When You Move to/from Sumida City

Notify the Tokyo Electric Power Company a week in advance of your expected moving date. When you move in to your new housing, fill out the application form attached to the circuit breaker and mail it to the Company.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Customer Center 1st:
Tel. 0120-995-002

If You Detect a Gas Leak

1. Shut off the supply value immediately.
2. Do not use any open flames. Do not touch any electrical switch on appliances - to reduce the danger of sparks which may ignite gas.
3. Open house windows to ventilate rooms.
4. Contact a Tokyo Gas service branch; they are open 24 hours a day.

When You Move to/from Sumida City

Inform both the Tokyo Gas Company branch office of the neighborhood you are moving from and the branch office of the neighborhood you are moving into a few days in advance of your moving. Have a gas company representative check that the type of gas in your home and your appliances are compatible before use.

Tokyo Gas Company Customer Center(Navi Dial):
Tel. 0570-002211

Water Supply (Suido)

Japan's drinking water is purified and you can drink it safely, but it may have a slight odor. If this odor makes you nervous, boil the water first or keep it in a container overnight and the odor will go away. If you have any water leaks, contact the service station listed below.

When You Move to/from Sumida City

When you move out, bring one of your recent water bill receipts to the branch office of Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks and report your move three to four days in advance. When you move in, either mail in the new application form or contact the new branch office by telephone.

Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks Customer Station:
Tel. 5326-1100

Payment of Electricity, Gas, Water and Other Utilities

Payment of utility bills can be made through financial facilities and convenience stores near your house. You can open a transfer savings account at your bank to pay these bills automatically. Payment for water service can only be made through financial facilities.

Useful Phrases

---