2024/09/26 According to an article in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, “Demand for rental support for foreign residents is increasing due to an increase in the number of workers.”
Traditional barriers that foreigners face when signing rental contracts in Japan range from language issues, cultural and institutional differences, the need for a guarantor, and reliability checks. However, with the increase in the number of foreign residents in recent years, various private one-stop services have begun to be provided to solve these problems. These services support the entire process related to rental contracts, allowing foreigners to smoothly secure housing in Japan. Below, we will discuss specific examples of one-stop services and their details.
1. Global Trust Networks(GTN)
Global Trust Networks (GTN) is one of the services widely used in Japan as a rental guarantee company specializing in foreigners. GTN not only assists foreigners with rental contracts that do not require a guarantor, but also provides multilingual services to help foreigners smoothly start living in Japan.
Main service contents
– Rental Guarantee: GTN acts as a guarantor required when foreigners rent properties in Japan. It is difficult for foreigners who have no friends or family in Japan to find a guarantor, but using GTN solves this problem.
– Multilingual support: GTN provides services in multiple languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. This makes it easier for foreigners to understand the contract and procedure explanations, and allows them to conclude the contract with peace of mind.
– Lifestyle support: GTN provides life-related support even after the rental agreement is signed. For example, we have established a system to help foreigners live a comfortable life in Japan by providing procedures for living infrastructure such as electricity, gas, and water, and by providing a consultation desk in the event of any trouble.
GTN also plays the role of building trusting relationships with real estate companies and landlords and encouraging them to actively accept foreigners. This one-stop support has greatly reduced the barriers for foreigners to conclude rental contracts.
2. Village House
Village House is a company that provides rental properties specifically for foreigners, and is often used by foreigners when looking for housing in Japan. Village House lowers the hurdles for foreigners to sign a rental contract by offering simple procedures and low-cost properties that even foreigners can easily sign.
Main service contents
– Zero security deposit/key money: In Japanese rental properties, security deposits and key money are often required as initial costs, but many Village House properties have zero security deposits/key money, making it easier for foreigners to bear the initial costs. has been reduced. This makes the service easy to use for foreigners who wish to stay for a short or temporary stay.
– Easy screening: When foreigners sign a rental contract in Japan, screening is often strict, but Village House has relatively loose screening standards and the necessary documents and procedures are simple, making it easy for foreigners to sign rental contracts in Japan.
– Nationwide expansion: Village House has properties all over Japan, creating an environment where foreigners can easily find housing not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. It is also an attractive option for foreigners who wish to work or study abroad in a rural area.
In this way, Village House is supported by many foreigners because it provides specialized rental services for foreigners, reduces initial costs, and allows you to secure housing through simple procedures.
3. Sakura House
Sakura House is a company that provides shared houses and rental apartments for foreigners, and is used by many foreign students and short-term residents. Sakura House places particular emphasis on the foreign community, providing not only housing but support in all aspects of life.
Main service contents
– Provision of shared house style: Sakura House offers many shared house style properties, creating an environment where foreigners can live in the same building and have international exchange. This is a reassuring factor, especially for foreigners coming to Japan for the first time.
– Furnished properties: Many properties are provided fully furnished, allowing foreigners to start living immediately upon arrival. This is especially a big advantage for short-term visitors or foreigners looking for a place to stay for the first few months.
– Community Support: Sakura House regularly holds events and social gatherings to help foreign residents adjust to life in Japan. This allows foreigners to start living in Japan with peace of mind, as they are provided with ample support not only for housing but also for life in general.
Sakura House provides a one-stop service that allows foreigners to smoothly start living in Japan, focusing on shared houses and short-term rental properties, and is used by many foreigners.
4. Housing Japan
Housing Japan is a real estate company that provides rental properties especially for high-income foreign businesspeople and expatriates from overseas. We provide a multilingual concierge service to help foreigners search for luxury rental properties.
Main service contents
– Providing luxury rental properties: Housing Japan handles a large number of luxury rental properties mainly in Tokyo, providing attractive options for foreign businesspeople and their families. Many of the properties are furnished or available on short-term contracts, making them extremely convenient for expatriates.
– Multilingual concierge service: Housing Japan provides multilingual support not only at the time of contract but also after moving in. This includes procedures for moving, infrastructure, troubleshooting, etc., and a system has been put in place to help foreigners live comfortably in Japan.
– Meeting individual needs: Expatriates and businesspeople have individual needs, so Housing Japan provides customized services for each customer. For example, you can search for properties according to your wishes, such as wanting to live in a specific area or living near your child’s school.
Housing Japan provides one-stop services specialized for foreign businesspeople and expatriates, meeting their complex needs.
Summary
As mentioned above, in recent years, various one-stop services have been provided by private companies to eliminate the barriers that foreigners face when signing rental contracts in Japan. Services such as Global Trust Networks (GTN), Village House, Sakura House, and Housing Japan each cater to different needs and help foreigners smoothly secure housing in Japan. These services greatly reduce traditional barriers such as language issues, cultural differences, and the guarantor system, creating an environment where foreigners can start living in Japan with peace of mind. In the future, as the number of foreign residents increases, it is expected that these services will further evolve and provide a more comfortable living environment for foreigners.