Categories
Columns about Costs & Finances
13–24 of 118
A thorough comparison of winter heating appliances for rental apartments based on running costs. This article presents monthly cost simulations for air conditioners, oil heaters, ceramic heaters, and electric carpets, along with an explanation of rental restrictions and optimal usage methods.
What are maintenance fees and common service fees used for in rental housing? This guide explains, from a tenant's perspective, the typical uses and market rates, how to verify service details before moving in, and how to deal with fee increases.
Cost optimization strategy for rental living leveraging the sauna boom. This guide explains how choosing a unit-bath property paired with a nearby public bath can reduce rent while maintaining high-quality bathing experiences, and how to leverage proximity to public baths in property selection.
We explain why working from home increases your monthly electricity bill by ¥5,000–15,000 and provide concrete energy-saving strategies. From air conditioning settings and PC power management to electricity plan reviews, here are practical techniques to significantly reduce your electric bills while teleworking in a rental apartment.
While key money typically amounts to 1–2 months of rent, strategic negotiation can often eliminate or reduce it by half in many cases. This guide systematically explains key money's legal status, how to identify properties where negotiation is likely to succeed, concrete negotiation phrases, and techniques for reducing other initial costs besides key money.
When searching for rental housing as a graduate student or working professional pursuing further education, different conditions apply compared to undergraduate students. This guide explains key points in choosing a rental property that accommodate graduate and working students' unique needs—research hours, late-night commutes, income situations, and more.
A guide to tax deductions available to employees and freelancers living in rental housing during tax filing. We cover how to claim medical expense deductions, differences from housing loan tax credits, expense allocation of rent for side businesses and remote work, and other essential tax knowledge renters should know.
When signing a rental lease, you typically need initial costs totaling 3–6 months' rent, including security deposits, key money, and agency fees. In recent years, services that allow you to split or defer these initial costs have emerged. This guide breaks down usage conditions, fees, and risks to help you make smart choices.
Windows are the primary source of heat loss and gain in rental housing. By selecting and installing insulation films or sheets correctly, you can significantly reduce winter cold and summer heat while lowering utility costs. This article explains how to choose products that allow restoration to original condition and shares installation tips.
Learn how to leverage Japan's building energy efficiency labeling system, which began in 2024, when searching for a rental. This guide covers how to read energy efficiency ratings, their impact on utility costs, and key points to check during property viewings.
Applying for a rental during job hunting, right after quitting, or while unemployed makes passing screening significantly harder in practice. We explain practical strategies for handling income verification, leveraging your savings, and alternative options like UR rentals, public housing, and sharehouses to help you secure a home.
You can rent an apartment even with low income or non-regular employment. This article explains how to prepare documents for passing screening, how to choose a guarantor company, characteristics of properties more likely to pass screening, and public support systems like housing security benefits.
