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Columns about Daily Life
157–168 of 288
While "free internet" properties sound attractive, they involve landlord installation costs and quality limitations. This article provides practical guidance for foreign tenants—who often face difficulties setting up their own internet contracts after arriving in Japan—to understand the real benefits and potential drawbacks.
A complete guide to share house pitfalls for foreign residents, introducing 8 common problem patterns including noise, interpersonal issues, deposit refunds, and eviction notices based on actual cases. Real estate specialists have systematized avoidance strategies, pre-contract verification items, and operator selection criteria to provide a practical decision-making framework for avoiding failure.
A comprehensive breakdown of bundled gas, electricity, and internet plans that emerged following Japan's electricity and gas market liberalization. This expert guide compares major plans including NURO Hikari Denki, SoftBank Denki, and Tokyo Gas Triple Discount, outlines application requirements for foreign residents, and details important cancellation considerations.
A practical guide systematically organized by real estate experts on the differences between NTT East/West Flets Fiber and light collaboration services (Docomo Hikari, SoftBank Hikari, OCN Hikari, etc.), provider selection criteria, common contractual barriers foreign renters face (credit cards / residence cards), and workarounds to overcome them.
A practical guide for foreign residents with dogs and cats: the basics of finding pet-friendly rental properties, what to verify in the lease disclosure statement, how to negotiate additional security deposits and penalty clauses, and strategies to manage settlement risks at move-out.
When an air conditioner in a rental property breaks down, who should you contact and who bears the repair costs? This guide thoroughly explains the decision criteria: the distinction between built-in equipment and left-behind appliances, the cause of failure (wear and tear vs. user error), and special contract provisions. Real estate experts cover contact flowcharts, cost-sharing boundaries, and common dispute cases.
A practical guide to tackling winter condensation problems in apartments by area—windows, walls, and closets. Learn how to choose plastic frames, thermal sheets, dehumidifiers, and air circulators; understand the mold mechanism; and discover where responsibility for restoration to original condition lies at move-out. Real estate experts explain all this with examples from foreign resident experiences.
When a noise complaint arrives through your management company, knowing the correct initial response and practical soundproofing techniques is essential. This guide covers how to clear up misunderstandings, investigate the root cause, choose effective soundproofing products, and write a report to your management company—with real examples from foreign tenants, explained by real estate professionals.
A comprehensive guide for foreign residents in Japanese apartments explaining the root causes of noise problems and practical solutions. A real estate expert systematically introduces the differences in sound insulation performance across wooden, lightweight steel frame, and RC construction types, how footsteps, voices, and TV sounds travel through buildings, and DIY solutions such as soundproofing mats, acoustic curtains, and sound-absorbing panels.
A situation-by-situation guide to resolving noise complaints in rental housing by consulting the right resource—your management company, police, lawyer, or municipal office. A real estate expert explains how to choose the right contact, the steps to take, costs involved, and when to pursue legal remedies.
A guide to restoration to original condition rules you should know when doing DIY and redecorating in rental properties. Real estate experts explain the average costs charged at move-out for wall holes, pet scratches, and flooring damage, as well as strategies to minimize expenses.
Explains the basics of garbage disposal rules and sorting in rental apartments, proper use of common areas (corridors, entrances, bicycle parking areas), and etiquette to prevent trouble. Also introduces how to contact the property management company or management association, common trouble cases, and how to handle them.
