From key handover through your first 14 days, here's a day-by-day timeline for everything you need to do. The address registration deadline starts from the day you actually move in—not when you receive the keys. This complete guide covers key pickup time, gas appointment scheduling, My Number Card updates, driver's license changes, mail forwarding, and neighbor greetings—nothing falls through the cracks.
Reviewed by: Nobuyuki MoriPresident, M-Assets Co., Ltd. / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist (Miyagi #018212)
Your first week after moving involves concentrated critical tasks—municipal procedures, utility setup, and more. With registration required within 14 days and mandatory attendance for gas activation, this prioritized checklist helps you start your new life smoothly.
For those thinking about filing a change of address before moving, we break down the essentials of the 14-day rule under the Basic Resident Register Law and clarify when submitting a change of address before move-in day constitutes false reporting. Experts explain which procedures (like filing at your previous residence, setting up mail forwarding, and arranging utilities) can be done early, and the correct order to do them in.
When moving to a rental property, many procedures are needed from filing a moving-out notice to updating your driver's license and bank accounts. If you get the order of procedures wrong, the workload multiplies. This article explains all address change procedures before and after moving in an easy-to-understand way.
After signing your rental lease, your new life begins with the key handover. Within 14 days, you must submit your address registration, so you need to proceed through key handover → room inspection → utility activation → moving day → municipal office procedures → address changes at various places, in the correct order. First, let's check the overall timeline in a day-by-day table.
| Timing | To Do | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key handover day | Verify number of keys · Sign key receipt · Room inspection and photo documentation | Procedure 15–30 min + room inspection 30 min–1 hour |
| Key day through moving day | Start electricity and water service · Gas opening inspection | Gas requires appointment · Book in advance |
| Moving day | Transport items · Check for damage before and after | Document with photos which damage occurred during moving vs. pre-existing |
| Day 1–3 of occupancy | Address registration · My Number Card address change · National Health Insurance/Pension | Address registration within 14 days of move-in date |
| Days 4–7 | Driver's license address change · Mail forwarding · Greet neighbors | License updated same-day on the back |
| Days 8–14 | Bank · Credit card · Insurance · Employer/school notification | Complete online in sequence |
Below, I'll explain each stage in detail.
This is where confusion occurs most often. The deadline for submitting your address registration—within 14 days—starts from the day you actually begin living in the room, not the day you receive the keys (contract start date).
For example, if you receive the keys on May 1st but actually move in on May 10th, the address registration deadline is within 14 days from May 10th. The municipal office form has a field for "Date of Change" (the day you move in), which does not need to match the key handover date.
Conversely, you generally cannot submit your address registration before you actually move in. For details on how far you can change your address before move-in, see Can I File My Address Registration Before Move-In? Correct Procedures.
If you miss the 14-day deadline without valid reason, you may be subject to a fine of up to ¥50,000 (Resident Registration Law Article 52, Paragraph 2). While actual fines are rare, address changes for your My Number Card and driver's license, as well as tax and benefit notices, are all tied to your resident registration, so it's best to complete it as soon as possible.
Key handover occurs in one of the following ways:
The office procedure itself typically takes 15–30 minutes. This includes filling out and stamping the key receipt, explanation of terms, and confirmation of any remaining payments. Including the room inspection afterward, it's best to set aside 1–2 hours on the day. Office handovers are normally during weekday business hours, so arrange in advance if you need a weekend appointment.
The "key receipt" issued by the property management company lists the type, number, and key numbers of all keys being handed over. Always verify the actual keys against the receipt before signing. In addition to the entrance key, it may include keys for the mailbox, bicycle parking, etc. Later claims of "I didn't receive spare keys" are rarely accepted.
After receiving the keys and before bringing in any belongings, inspect the room for damage, stains, and check that all facilities work, then document everything with dated photos and video. This documentation is your greatest defense against restoration disputes at move-out. For a checklist of items to inspect and examples of how to record them, see How to Complete a Move-In Inspection Checklist.
It's common for the key handover date and the actual move-in date to be different. Here's how to handle the period in between:
In most properties, electricity is available immediately once you switch on the circuit breaker (advance registration is recommended for smart-meter properties). Water is usually also available once you open the shut-off valve inside the meter box. Be sure to complete the startup procedures for both utilities via their websites or by phone.
Gas activation requires the tenant (or an authorized representative) to be present. The work takes 30 minutes to 1 hour and includes activation and safety inspection of gas appliances. During peak moving season (March–April), appointments fill up quickly, so book as soon as you know your key handover date. Combining the gas inspection with your key handover on the same day is most efficient and avoids a second trip.
New fiber optic line installation typically takes 2–4 weeks from application to activation (up to 2 months during peak season), so apply as soon as your lease is signed. If the property has pre-installed lines or free internet, follow the property management company's instructions.
Within 14 days of moving in, submit either an address registration form (if moving between municipalities) or an intra-municipal transfer form (if staying in the same municipality) to your local ward or city office.
Required documents are as follows:
Update your My Number Card address at the same window and on the same day as your address registration. If you're enrolled in the National Health Insurance or National Pension (common for freelancers and students), you can update those addresses on the same day. Check required documents on your municipality's website beforehand to complete everything in one visit.
Foreign national tenants must bring their residence card to the address registration office and have the new address recorded on the back. Registration must be completed within 14 days of the address change; failure to do so may result in penalties or complications with visa renewal.
Complete this at the police station or driver's license center in your new jurisdiction. Bring proof of your new address (resident registration or My Number Card). The process takes 10–15 minutes and your new address is recorded on the back of your license immediately. Since it's often used as ID, updating it promptly is recommended.
Japan Post's mail forwarding service (free for 1 year) automatically redirects mail from your old address to your new one. You can complete this online via "e-Tenkyō" without visiting a post office. As forwarded mail arrives, you can identify which services need address updates, ensuring nothing is missed.
If you choose to greet neighbors, do so on moving day or the next day; typically greet those in the adjacent units and directly above and below. Visit between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. A small gift (¥500–¥1,000) of non-perishable consumables is appropriate. Many solo dwellers and women living alone skip this for safety reasons; it's not mandatory.
Most of these can be completed by mail or online, so you can handle them after your municipal office visit without rushing.
No. The deadline starts from the day you actually move in, not the day you receive the keys. If you receive the keys early but move in later, you have 14 days from your actual move-in date.
The office procedure itself is about 15–30 minutes. Including the room inspection afterward (30 min–1 hour), it's best to set aside 1–2 hours total.
Absolutely. Combining the gas activation with your key handover is actually the most efficient approach. During peak season, appointments fill quickly, so book as soon as your handover date is confirmed.
You may be subject to a fine of up to ¥50,000 if you miss it without valid reason (Resident Registration Law Article 52, Paragraph 2). While enforcement is rare, submit your registration as soon as you realize the deadline has passed. If asked about the delay at the office, simply explain honestly—it will usually be accepted.
Think of the 14 days after move-in as four blocks: "record the room and activate utilities on key handover day," "visit the municipal office within 3 days," "update license and arrange mail forwarding by day 7," and "notify banks and others by day 14"—this approach ensures nothing is missed. In particular, remember these two key points: the address registration deadline starts from your actual move-in date, not the key handover date, and only gas activation requires an in-person appointment—keeping these in mind will help you avoid major mistakes. Use the timeline table at the beginning as your checklist.
Comprehensive coverage of address changes not just for your resident registration, but also for pensions, health insurance, driver's license, bank accounts, credit cards, and more. We explain what you must not forget and how to prioritize your tasks.
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