Plain-English explanations of the Japanese rental terms you'll encounter at contract signing.
A refundable deposit (typically 1–2 months' rent) held by the landlord to secure unpaid rent and any tenant-side restoration costs owed under the lease (Civil Code Art. 622-2). The balance left after deductions is returned at move-out.
未払賃料や借主負担の原状回復費など、賃貸借から生じる金銭債務を担保する預け金 (民法 622 条の 2)。退去時にこれらを控除した残額は返金される。家賃の 1〜2 ヶ月分が一般的だが、ゼロゼロ物件 (敷礼 0) も増えている。
Returning the unit to its original state at move-out. Under Civil Code Art. 621 and the MLIT guideline, ordinary wear and aging from normal living are the landlord's responsibility; the tenant is liable only for damage caused by negligence, misuse, or failure to take reasonable care. It does not mean restoring the unit to like-new condition.
退去時に部屋を元の状態へ戻すこと。民法 621 条と国交省ガイドラインでは、経年劣化・通常損耗 (普通に住んで生じた汚れ・傷) は貸主負担で、借主が負担するのは故意・過失や善管注意義務違反による損傷に限られる。原状回復は「新品同様に戻す」意味ではない。
A one-time, non-refundable gift to the landlord (0–2 months' rent). Many properties in the Sendai region waive this entirely.
大家への謝礼金で返金されない。家賃の 0〜2 ヶ月分。仙台圏は礼金ゼロが主流。
Fee paid to the brokerage. For residential leases, the official fee schedule under Japan's Real Estate Brokerage Act sets the amount chargeable to the tenant at 0.5 month's rent plus consumption tax by default, rising to 1 month only with the tenant's consent given when the brokerage is engaged. The combined total from landlord and tenant is also capped at one month's rent plus tax.
仲介会社へ支払う手数料。居住用建物では宅建業法の報酬告示上、借主から受けられるのは原則 家賃の 0.5 ヶ月分 + 消費税で、媒介依頼時に借主の承諾があれば 1 ヶ月分まで。貸主・借主双方からの合計も 1 ヶ月分 + 消費税が上限。
A company that replaces a personal guarantor — they cover unpaid rent on the tenant's behalf. An initial fee (50–100% of monthly rent) plus annual or per-renewal fees apply. Foreign tenants often use a guarantor company in lieu of a Japanese co-signer.
連帯保証人の代替として家賃滞納時に立て替えを行う会社。初回保証料 (家賃の 50〜100%) と年間 / 更新時の更新料が必要。外国人は保証会社加入で連帯保証人不要となるケースが多い。
Required for nearly all leases. Covers personal property and renter liability. Typically ¥15,000–¥20,000 for a 2-year term.
ほぼ全契約で加入必須。家財保険 + 借家人賠償責任保険のセット。2 年で 1.5〜2 万円が相場。
Cost of physically replacing the lock cylinder after a tenant moves out. ¥15,000–¥25,000. The MLIT restoration guideline treats lock replacement between tenants as the landlord's responsibility, but in practice many leases shift it to the incoming tenant by special clause — check the contract terms.
退去後に錠前を物理的に交換するための実費。1.5〜2.5 万円。国交省の原状回復ガイドラインは入居者入替時の鍵交換を貸主負担とするのが妥当としているが、実務では特約により借主が負担する物件が多い。契約条件を要確認。
A monthly fee billed separately from rent, covering cleaning, lighting, and elevator maintenance of common areas.
共用部の清掃・電気代・エレベーター保守等に充てる月額費用。家賃と別建てで毎月支払う。
Paid to the landlord at lease renewal (typically every 2 years), usually around one month's rent. Practice varies widely by region: some areas such as Kyoto charge high renewal fees, while many properties in the Tohoku region (including Miyagi and the Sendai area) charge none.
契約更新時 (通常 2 年ごと) に大家へ支払う費用。慣行は地域差が大きく、家賃 1 ヶ月分前後が目安。京都など更新料が高い地域がある一方、東北 (宮城・仙台圏を含む) では更新料を設けない物件も多い。
The first month's rent paid at contract signing. May be prorated if the move-in date falls mid-month.
入居月の家賃を契約時に前払い。日割り計算となる場合も。
A pre-contract briefing in which a licensed real-estate transaction agent explains the key facts of the property and lease in writing (Real Estate Brokerage Act Art. 35). It covers rent, deposit, renewal fee, cancellation terms, and how restoration costs are split, and must be given before the contract is signed — the point to raise any questions.
契約前に宅地建物取引士が、物件・契約条件の重要事項を書面で説明する手続き (宅建業法 35 条)。賃料・敷金・更新料・解約条件・原状回復の負担区分などが含まれ、契約締結までに行う義務がある。内容に不明点があればこの段階で確認する。
A third party (often a parent or relative) who assumes equal payment liability if the tenant defaults. Increasingly replaced by a hoshogaisha (rent guarantor company).
借主が家賃を支払えなくなった場合に同等の支払義務を負う第三者。両親や親族が一般的だが、保証会社で代替できる。
