Choosing an Apartment for Remote Work (Telework) — A Checklist for Soundproofing, Wi-Fi, and Natural Light

Three Common Mistakes Telework Residents Make When Choosing an Apartment

Unlike the days when you commuted to the office, working from home means spending 24 hours a day in your apartment. Noise levels, natural light, and internet speed—which you might have overlooked before—now directly impact your work productivity. Below are the three most commonly overlooked factors that telework residents miss:

1. Underestimating soundproofing: Choosing an apartment where you can hear your neighbors' conversations
2. Not testing Wi-Fi and internet speed: Discovering after moving that Zoom calls drop or video uploads are slow
3. Overlooking natural light and window direction: Finding yourself in a north-facing studio that stays dark all morning

Any of these can become serious enough to be your reason for moving out.

Five Priority Conditions for Choosing a Telework Apartment

1. Soundproofing (Top Priority)

If you can hear your neighbors talking during video calls or your voice leaks out, it significantly increases work stress.

Viewing Checklist

• •Check the building structure (reinforced concrete > light-gauge steel > wood frame)
• •Tap on walls to check the sound they make (a dull sound indicates good soundproofing)
• •Use a smartphone noise meter app to measure ambient noise levels (50dB or higher is problematic)
• •Ask current residents about soundproofing (you can do this through the property management company)

Assessment Standards

• •50dB or below (quiet): Suitable for telework
• •50–60dB (normal level): Some noise present, but Zoom calls are manageable
• •60dB or above (loud): Not suitable for telework (avoid signing the lease)

2. Internet and Connectivity Environment

When you regularly use multiple video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and Microsoft Teams, internet speed is critical to your productivity.

What to Check During a Viewing

• •Whether the apartment has pre-installed Wi-Fi (free or paid)
• •Whether you can install a fiber optic line or pocket Wi-Fi router yourself
• •Whether multiple carrier mobile signals (NTT, au, Docomo, etc.) reach the apartment (femtocell compatible)

Measuring Internet Speed Use a speed test app on your smartphone during the viewing to check the following:

Keep in mind that speeds may drop by 10–20% after you move in compared to what you measure during the viewing.

Fiber Optic Line Verification

• •Whether the apartment can have fiber optic installed (compare options like NTT Flets, au Hikari, Docomo Hikari, etc.)
• •Installation timeline (typically 2–4 weeks, 1–2 months during peak seasons)
• •Approval for common area work in condominiums (handled through the property management company)

3. Natural Light and Window Direction

Since you'll be in your apartment every day, insufficient natural light can become a source of mental stress.

What to Check During a Viewing

• •Room direction (east-facing > south-facing > west-facing > north-facing)
• •Number, size, and open area ratio of windows
• •Distance from buildings in front (densely packed areas stay dark even during the day)
• •Light intensity in areas where you'll do desk work (measure using a light meter app on your smartphone)

How to Measure Light Levels Measure light levels at the same location at 9 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. You need at least 300 lux for telework. If a north-facing studio gets 200 lux or less in the morning, it's best to avoid it.

4. Desk Placement and Work Space

You need enough space to set up a stable desk and chair for your work-from-home setup.

Simulate During the Viewing

• •Check that there's space for a minimum desk size (120 cm wide × 60 cm deep)
• •Ensure the chair back doesn't touch the wall (you need 100 cm of depth)
• •Decide whether you'll work in the living room or bedroom, and plan your layout accordingly
• •Choose a wall for your video call background (one that looks neat and hides personal items)

Floor Reinforcement If you'll be using an ergonomic chair (10 kg or heavier) for long periods, it's important to check the floor's weight capacity.

5. Humidity and Temperature Control

Spending long hours at a desk can lead to problems like body chilling and dry eyes.

What to Check During a Viewing

• •Air conditioning and heater performance
• •Space for a humidifier or dehumidifier
• •Whether condensation is common in winter (telework means heat is on constantly during winter months)

Telework Apartment Selection Checklist

Pre-Lease Communication Verification (Important Final Check)

Before signing the lease, be sure to complete the following steps:

1. Apply for NTT fiber optic service: Confirm installation availability and timeline (enter your address on the NTT Flets website)
2. Check pinpoint signal strength for each carrier: Verify signal strength on Docomo, au, and SoftBank websites
3. Interview current residents: Ask through the property management company whether Zoom calls are smooth and if internet speed is adequate

Ideal Locations for Telework

• •Near a station (within 5 minutes): Convenient for emergency in-office days or shopping
• •Coffee shops or cafes nearby: Useful if you occasionally need to meet clients or go into the office
• •Library or public facilities nearby: Helpful when you occasionally want to change your work environment

Summary

Choosing an apartment for telework is different from choosing one when you commute—the three most critical factors are soundproofing, internet speed, and natural light. By measuring noise levels and testing internet speed during viewings, and confirming fiber optic installation before signing the lease, you can avoid regretting your move. If you have daily Zoom meetings, soundproofing and Wi-Fi speed are especially crucial to your productivity.