Q&A

• About Finding a Room　【"Inquiry" to "Before Contract"】

  I'd like to visit a UniLife office and ask for assistance in finding a room? How should I do that?

  • ■If you would like to consult with our staff, please contact us by phone, email or SNS and make an appointment in advance.
    ※Visitors without appointment might wait until their turn comes.
  • ■In making an appointment, please tell us your personal details and requirements for a house. Hearing information like below, we will be able to suggest rooms smoothly that match your requests.
    (School / Nationality / Sex / Japanese language skill / Budget / Date you hope to move in / Any other requests)
  • ■Which office you should go depends on what language you speak.
    If you would like to speak and listen in English, Chinese or Korean, we recommed you going to UniLifeGlobal (ULG).
    Most staff at UniLife offices will speak only Japanese. If you can communicate in Japanese, you should go to a local UniLife office near your target area.

  When should I make an inquiry about finding a room?
  (When are room availabilitis going to be disclosed?)

  • ■For those who want to move from JAN through MAR (including APR 1st)
    Room availabilities are disclosed around NOV every year. Japanese students tend to start finding a room from around NOV in recent years. We reccomend you taking an action to take your ideal room as soon as your schedule has been fixed.
  • ■For those who want to move anytime except JAN through APR 1st
    We recommend that you start to find a room around 2 months before you want to move in.
    (Because, in most leasing contracts in Japan, residents need to give 2 months notice for moving out.)

  Are there any rooms for 2 residents?

  • ■Yes, there are some.
    However, most rooms of UniLife's student apartments are only for single.
    Although some rooms allow 2 persons, they should be related by blood, like brothers or sisters, in most cases.
    For details, please ask us.

  Can I invite my friends or family menbers and let them stay overnight?

  • Yes, you can.
    However, please refrain from making too much noise and causing neighbors trouble.
    Also, please note that friends or family members are allowed to stay only 1 or 2 nights.
    
    As an exception, there are some apartments where you are strictly prohibited from inviting a person (for example, men's entry to female-only floor or apartments). Thank you for your understanding.

  I am not a student. Is there any room that non-students can apply for?

  • ■Yes. Find icons below on UniLife room-searching page. For more details, please ask our staff.
    : Only students are allowed to reside.
    : Students & people who graduated from school a few years ago are allowed to stay.
    : Non-students are allowed to reside regardless of age.

  Is there any room where I am allowed to have pets?

  • ■Having pets are prohibited in most of our apartments.
    Apartments that allow pets are limited especially to expensive apartments. Therefore, you won't be able to choose location nor facilities you want in a house.
    If you would like to find one like that, please tell us in advance.

  Is there any room where I am allowed to play musical instruments?

  • ■Playing musical instruments is prohibited in most of our apartments
    Apartments that allow playing musical instruments are limited especially to expensive apartments. Therefore, you won't be able to choose location nor facilities you want in a house.
    If you would like to find one like that, please tell us in advance.

  Is there any room where I am allowed to smoke?

  • ■Including balcony and shared space, smoking is prohibited in all of our apartments.
    If smoking in your room or shared space is disclosed, cost to eliminate smell and stain will be imposed. (The cost possibly reaches hundreds of thousands JPY.) Thank you for your understanding.

  Is there any furnished room with appliances?

  • Furniture and appliances are included in all or some rooms of apartments with the icons below.
    Details will differ depending on apartments. Please ask our staff.
    
    

  What furniture and appliance are included in a furnished room?

  • Each room has a "plan" for furniture and appliances.Depending on the plans, what item comes with a room differs.
    For details of each plan, please get access to URL below.
    https://unilife.co.jp/event/kagukaden/

  Is there any room which comes with Internet service?

  • ■Internet is available in most of our apartments. In apartments with icon below, you can use Internet without any complicated procedure.
    If you want to use this Internet service, the monthly cost is 2,980 yen (plus tax), and 8,000 yen (plus tax) for initial set-up.
    
    ■Any other apartments without the above icon, a personal contract with an Internet company will be required.

  Is there any room with meal service?

  • Apartments labeled【食事付き】offers meal service.
    Please understand that cost for meal is imposed every month in these apartments whether or not you eat meals.

• Condition and Precedure for Contract　　【"Inquiry" to "Before Contract"】

  Could you tell me the flow of the contract?

  • This is the outline of the flow.
  • 1. Decide your apartment, room number and move-in date.
  • 2. Looking at the estimate, confirm the initial cost (= the contract fee).
  • 3. Receiving an application form, fill it out and submit it as well as other necessary documents such as identification and so on. (Submission by e-mail is acceptable.)
  • 4. The rent-guarantee company conducts a screening with reference to the documents you submitted (Only for those who make use of a rent-guarantee company.)
  • 5. Having passed the screening, based on a Japanese law, listen to the Important Matters Explanation of the contract face to face. (If you are in a far place, SNS video talk is possible.)
  • 6. Receive the contract forms and complete the payment. Fill out the forms and send them back to UniLife (In this step, submission by e-mail is unacceptable.)
  • 7. Visit a designated UniLife office and receive a room key on or after the first date of the contract.
  • 8. Go to your room by yourself.

  Can I sign a contract from my country?

  • Yes, you can. However, documents of the contract must be sent by postal mail. Payment for the contract must be completed by international remittance.
  • Please ask us if it's only 2 weeks left until the day you want to move in.

  What documents do I need to submit for a contract?
  (Can I sign a contract if I am currently applying for my VISA?)

  • What documents you need to submit diifers depending on your situation.
    However, most students (including new students) are required to submit the items below.
  • ◆In case of a contract in Japan
    Passport, Residence Card, an entrance permit to your school (a student card or a letter of acceptance.)
  • ◆In case of a contract from overseas
    Passport, an entrance permit to your school (a student card or a letter of acceptance.)
    (You can submit a copy of residence card after arrival at Japan.)

  Can I sign a short-term contract, for example, for 3 or 6 months?

  • Our contract is based on the academic year in Japan (from APR to MAR). Normally, you need to stay for a year or longer, but some apartments might allow you a short-term contract on condition you move out by FEB or MAR. Please ask our staff about more details.

  When is the timing that I can reserve a room?

  • You can reserve a room anytime, basically.
    However, the starting day of the contract must be discussed depending on when the room becomes vacant. Also, please note that "to reserve a room" means "to proceed to contract", after which you will be required to complete the payment promptly.
    We will not be able to keep a room for a long time for free. Thank you for your understanding.

  As a minor under 20 years old, can I sign a contract?

  • Yes, you can. However, a person under 20 years old is required to submit contact information of your guardian (someone who liquidates your debt) in your home country.

  Can I sign a contract without a guarantor?

  • You can sign a contract using a rent-guarantee company (paid service).
    If you can prepare a guarantor, fee for a rent-guarantee company will not be charged. However, as the condition of guarantor, "he/she must be a worker in Japan who has blood relationship with you and doesn't share income or expense with you".
    For this reason, most of foreign students use a rent-guarantee company.

  What is a contract period? (Can I move out beofre the expiration of the contract period?)

  • Contract period is the period when you can rent the room. According to an academic year in Japan, the ending date of the period is adjusted to MAR in UniLife apartments. If you are planning to move out except in March, please ask staff in advance. We will check with the owner.
    If you need to move out in the middle of contract period by any compelling reasons, you can move out without penalty fees by giving us 2 months notice. In some cases, however, penalty fees are possibly imposed according to the type of contract, room type or when you move out.

  I would like to keep staying even after the contract expires. Is that possible?

  • If there is no problem with using the room and monthly payment, you can renew the contract (1 or 2 years long) with a renewal procedure. However, there are some types of contract and restriction (ex. students only) that do not allow a renewal. If you want a room in which you can keep staying even after graduation, please ask our staff before you sign a contract.

  When I renew the contract, what is charged?

  • In real estate rental in Japan, fees like below are charged when you renew a room.
  • ■Renewal fee (0 - 1 month's worth of rent) (depending on property)
  • ■Handling fee
  • ■Fire insurance (Cost differs depending on the new contract period)
  • ■Rent-guarantee fee (Cost differs depending on the new contract period)
    Please note there are some types of contract and restriction (ex. students only) that do not allow a renewal.

• Cost and Payment　【"Inquiry" to "Before Contract"】

  What kind of charges are there in a monthly payment?

  • ■Items charged in all apartments
  • ◆Rent : Money paid to the landlord
  • ◆Management fee : Money paid to the management company for maintenance of the building
  • ■Items charged in some apartments
  • ◆Meal service fee : Monthly cost for meals (Only for apartments providing meal service)
  • ◆Sanitation fee : Cost for garbage collection by a designated company
  • ◆CATV fee : Basic fee for cable TV facility (charged regardless of TV viewing)
  • ◆Internet fee : Monthly internet fee. Our internet service (UniLife net) costs 2,980 yen plus tax.
    ※Utility bills (electricity, water and gas)
    In general, you are required to sign personal contracts for these. The costs differ depending on how much you actually use these.
    (In some apartments, utilities are under the management of building facilities. In this case, a personal contract is unnecessary.)
    An estimation of utility bills for singles is about 7,000 yen to10,000 yen (electricity, water, gas, altogether).

  Are utility bills included in management fee?

  • No, It's not included. In most apartments in Japan, management fee and utility fees are handled differently.
    In most cases, you are required to make personal contracts for utilities.

  What kind of charges do I need to pay in the initial contract fee?

  • The following is the items typically charged in the initial cost (What items are charged varies depending on apartment.)
  • ◆Advance payment of monthly rent
  • ◆Advance payment of monthly management fee
  • ◆Advance payment of monthly meal service fee / sanitation fee / CATV fee
  • ◆Key money ・・・Cost paid to the landlord at contract, which is peculiar to Japan
  • ◆Deposit ・・・Cost that is refundable when you move out
    (However, cleaning fees or repair costs will be possibly deducted from the deposit at move-out.)
  • ◆Basic cleaning fee for move out ・・・ Cost to clean the room for the next resident
  • ◆Rent-guarantee consignment fee ・・・ Cost to delegate monthly payment to a guarantee company
  • ◆Brokerage fee ・・・ Commission fee
  • ◆Insurance package fee ・・・ Fee for fire insurance and 24 hours telephone customer support service
  • ◆Fee for key exchange ・・・ Fee for exchanging the old key to a new one
    (Initial setup fee for electronic key ・・・ Cost for setting a new battery in the electronic key unit.)
    
    ※ In case the first day of contract is in the middle of month...
    Daily pro-rate rent and management fee of the month will be additionally charged.

  How should I pay the contract fee?

  • You can pay the contract fee by remittance to our bank account or cash at UniLife office (Japanese yen only).
    Payment by credit card or e-money are not acceptable. (As of 2019 JUN)

  In case I sign the contract from my country, can I pay the contract fee after arriving at Japan?

  • No, you cannot in most cases.
    
  • Most landlords request that initial contract fee should be paid within 7 - 10 days after application for the room.
    It might be possible depending on time or apartment, though. Please ask us about the possibility.

  When and how should I pay monthly rent?

  • ■The 27th of every month is the due date for the next month's rent. (Ex: Rent for JUL → by JUN 27th)
    ※If the 27th is Sat, Sun or a holiday, the next business day is going to be the due date.
  • ◆Remittance to our bank account
    Around the 3rd week of every month, UniLife Mypage displays the amount of payment, a transfer destination, the due date of payment and so on.
    Please follow the page and complete the remittance.
    ※Remittance charge is borne by the tenant. (The amount of charge varies depending on bank.)
    ※After making a Japanese bank account, please shift payment method to automatic bank account transfer.
  • ◆Automatic transfer from the tenant's bank account
    After submission of ”Account transfer request document" (預金口座振替依頼書), your payment will be automatically transfered from your bank account on the 27th every month.
    It takes about 1 or 2 months after the submission until the procedure is completed and the automatic transfer gets ready.
    ※300 yen (plus tax) will be imposed when the automatic transfer is carried out.
    ※If the procedure hasn't been completed, please go to UniLife My Page, which displays where you should transfer the payment to. Please pay the rent through ATM.

  Can I pay the contract fee and monthly rent by installments?

  • No, you cannot pay the contract fee or monthly rent by installments.

  Can I pay the rent not monthly, but for several months at once? Can I get a discount by paying several months' rent at once?

  • You can neither pay several months' rent at once nor get a discount by that.
    Please pay the rent every month.

• About Viewing a Room　【"Inquiry" to "Before Contract"】

  Can I view a room before signing a contract?

  • ■Rooms that are vacant now
    Yes, you can view the room in most cases. However, there are cases where you cannot view the room becasue of cleaning, and so on. Please contact us in advance.
  • ■Rooms that are going to be available / Rooms that have no vacancy
    Since the current residents still live in the rooms, you cannot view them. However, in some apartments, we set up a demonstration room where customers can take a look at the room.
    (Please note that the demonstration room is not exactly the same room as where you actually live.)

  I am not in Japan, but in my country. Can I go viewing a room and sign the contract after arrival at Japan?

  • ■If the room that interests you is vacant by chance when you arrive at Japan, you can do a viewing.
    However, we cannot keep the room for you until you come over to Japan. To secure the room, you will be required to sign a contract and complete the payment.
  • ■As a suggestion, your friend living in Japan may come viewing a room instead. If you want to decide a room as quickly as possible, a plan like this will help you.

  How can I make an appointment for viewing a room?

  • ■Please tell us these below by phone, e-mail or SNS.
  • ◆Your information (name, contact Information, male/female, etc.)
  • ◆Apartment you would like to view (2 apartments/day at the maximum)
  • ◆Date and time you would like to view a room (during our business hours, only)
  • ◆Where you would like to meet up with our staff
    
    ※Please contact us in advance about whether or not the room that interests you is ready for viewing.

  Can I designate the place to meet up with the staff?

  • Yes, you can. But the place must be one of these:
    UniLife's office / The nearest station to the property for viewing / In front of the property for viewing

  Is it OK that my friend goes viewing a room instead of me?

  • Yes, it is OK if you give us his/her name and contact information.

• Steps after Application　【"After Contract" to "Move-in"】

  In case I apply for a room from overseas and return the contract forms to UniLife, can I pass them by hands at UniLife office after arrival in Japan?

  • You can do that, if your arrival in Japan is within the deadline of returning the forms.
    In case your arrival is going to be after the deadline, please return them by international mail.

  Can you tell me how to sign contracts with utility companies in person?

  • ■Utility companies like electricity, water and gas are designated depending on apartments.
    By contacting them, you can proceed to contracts. Contact information is described on the sheet titled, ""公共料金のご案内"", which is included in the set of contract forms. (You can proceed to contract even on the Internet, in most cases.)

• Receiving the Key　【"After Contract" to "Move-in"】

  When and where can I receive the key? Also, can I change the place where I will receive the key?

  • You can receive the key on or after the first day of the contract (during open hours). The place is one of our UniLife offices that we designate.
    ※Please note that the UniLife office you wiill receive the key at might be different from where you applied for the room. The detail of receiving the key is described on the sheet titled, ""鍵渡しのご案内"", included in the set of contract forms.

  To receive the key, do I need to bring something?

  • Please bring these 2 items.
  • ◆重要事項説明書(Important Points Explanation) ・・・This will certify your contract.
  • ◆印鑑 (Name seal) ・・・On the day you receive the key, we need your agreement (If you don't have a name seal, your signature will do).
    ※If you haven't returned the contract forms to us, please bring them as well.

  To receive the key, do I need to make an appointment with the UniLife office?

  • Yes, you do. Please tell us the date and time when you will be coming to the office. If you don't have an appointment, we won't be able to give you the key smoothly.
    ※On March 31st and April 1st, however, many customers come to receive a key. So, you don't have to make an appointment, and we pass a key to them in order.

• Move-in Trouble　【"After Contract" to "Move-in"】

  What should I do if I cannot unlock the key to the room on the move-in day?

  • Please look at UniLife MyPage and documents that you are given when you receive the key.
    If the door requires PIN code, its password is described on the page and document.
    Nevertheless, if you cannot open the door, please inquire to our UniLife office in charge.

  I turned on the light in the living room, but it doesn't work. What should I do?

  • Please check these things below.
  • ◆Have you finished the contract procedures with electric company?
    　You are required to sign a contract with electricity individually in most properties. If the procedure is not completed, you won't be able to use electricity. You can check the contact information of utility company on the sheet titled, ""公共料金のご案内"", which is ncluded in the set of contract forms.
  • ◆Is the circuit breaker on?
    　In most cases before move-in, the circuit breaker stays off, not to cause a fire accident. Find the breaker in your room and switch it on.

  Water doesn't come out. What should I do?

  • Please check these things below.
  • ◆Have you finished the contract procedures with water company?
    　You are required to sign a contract with water personally in some properties. If the procedure is not completed, you won't be able to use water. You can check the contact information of water company on the sheet titled, ""公共料金のご案内"", which is ncluded in the set of contract forms.

  Hot water doesn't come out. What should I do?

  • Please check these things below.
  • ◆Have you finished the contract procedures with gas company?
    　You are required to sign a contract with gas individually in some properties.
    ※When you contarct with gas, staff of gas company needs to come to your room and check its safety.
  • ◆Is remote controller for gas-powered water heater on?
    　If there is a remote controller for gas-powered water heater in your room, you need to turn it on. Otherwise, hot water will not come out.
    　If the property is equipped with electricity-powered water heater, it will possibly take a day after the power is on before hot water comes out, Please check that again in the next morning.

• New Move-in Notification Form　【"After Move-in" to "Move-out"】

  What is a new move-in notification form?

  • A new move-in notification form "新入居連絡用紙" is a form that you are supposed to submit right after you move in. Please check every corner of the room and mark damage or stain in the room. This report is important so that it affects repair fee or the amount of deposit we can pay you back when you move out. Please fill out the form and submit it to the management company within 2 weeks after move in.

  Can I fill out the form in English?

  • ■Yes, you can write in English, Chinese or Korean. However, we appreciate your cooperation if you can write in Japanese.

  On a new move-in notification form, there is a part where I choose "repair required" or "not required".
  If I choose "repair required", when is a repaiman coming?

  • ■Our staff contacts you by phone in order. If the damage really needs repairing, we will ask you when we can visit your room. Without picking up the phone call, we won't be able to arrange the date for you. So, please pick up the call from us.
  • ■So many customers move in April and May that we will deal with emergency problems as priority, like leakage of water or malfunction in stoves. There are cases where you need to wait for one or two weeks if the problem isn't an emergency. Thank you for your understanding in advance.

• Daily Life Problems　【"After Move-in" to "Move-out"】

  It is difficult to set up Wi-Fi. How should I do?

  • Please check HOW TO CONNECT here. If it's connected as in the figure but still doesn't work, please check these things below.
  • ■If the LAN port has 2 spots to plug in, try both of the spots.
  • ■There are some network settings that doesn't accept Wi-Fi. Please check your PC's settings.

  To what number should I call about a room problem?

  • ■Please contact UniLife's 24 hours support dial (0570-200-166). Support in Japanese and other languages are available. ※Prompt support and repair might not be done depending on situation. Thanks for your understanding.

• Rent Payment　【"After Move-in" to "Move-out"】

  How should I pay monthly rent?

  • ■Every month, the due date of payment is by 27th. (ex: the due date for July rent → by June 27th)
    ※If the day of 27th is on Sat, Sun or a holiday, the due date will be set on the next business day.
  • ◆Remittance to our bank account
    The amount, the destination of remittance, and the due date of payment and so on will be posted on "UniLife My Page" around 3rd week of every month.
    Checking on the My Page, please complete your payment by the due date.
    ※Transaction charge, which varies depending on banks, is borne on you.
    ※If having gotten a bank account, please shift the payment method from remittance to automatic withdrawal.
    
  • ◆Automatic withdrawal from bank account
    After submission of ”Automatic withdrawal from account" （"預金口座振替依頼書"）, invoiced amount will be withdrawn automatically from your bank account on 27th day every month.
    It will take 1 or 2 months after submission of the form, ”Automatic withdrawal from account" before the automatic withdrawal gets ready.
  • ※300 yen (with tax) will be imposed when withdrawal is conducted. Thanks for your understanding.
    ※If procedure hasn't been completed, alternative destination of remittance is displayed in UniLife My Page. Please confirm and remit it to the account.

  I opened a bank account. Could you tell me how I can pay monthly expenses by automatic withdrawal from the account?

  • ■First, you need to submit a request form for ”Automatic withdrawal from account" （"預金口座振替依頼書"）. This request form is included in a package that we sent as contract forms. Please fill out the form and bring or send it to our office. (If you don't have this form, you can get one for free at any UniLife office.)
    ※ It will take 1 or 2 months before the process has been completed. Before it's been completed, you will need to remit monthly payment by bank transfer by yourself. Please note that.

  I transferred monthly expenses. When and where can I check if my remittance has done successfully?

  • ■If the right amount has been transferred, the display of 「お振込依頼額」 (Invoiced amount) will be altered to 「0円」 (0 yen) on UniLife MyPage. However, the change on the screen won't be reflected for a week or so.

  Because I don't have a seal (name stamp), I cannot open a bank account. What should I do with that?

  • ■Some banks do NOT require a seal (name stamp). We recommend Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) because it is possible to create an account with only a few documents about you. Most of international students get an account of Japan Post Bank.
    If you need to have an account of another bank, you probably need to create your own seal (name stamp) first.

  How should I pay for utility fees?

  • ■If you signed a contract for electricity, gas and water by a call (or through our agency), the steps are as followed.
  • 1. Bills for electricity and gas will get to your mailbox once a month. Bill for water will reach your mailbox every 2 months. (This won't be applied if you have designated paying method by yourself.)
  • 2. Go to any convenience store nearby and pass the bill to staff at the cashier.
  • ※Utility fees vary depending on how much you actually use. Therefore, the fees are neither charged before you move in nor soon after you start to live.

• Contract Renewal / Move-out　【"After Move-in" to "Move-out"】

  Please tell me how to go through the procedure of renewing the contract.

  • ■The process of renewing the contract is below. (The way slightly differes depending on area.)
  • 1. If your contract expires in the coming March, a notification of renewal will be poseted on UniLife My Page around August to Septermber.
  • 2. If you would like to renew the contract, you are supposed to notify us of your intention through UniLife My page (ユニライフMy Page).
  • 3. After stating your intention of renewal, you will receive some contract-related documents with a new contract period and an invoice for renewal process around November or December.
  • 4. The renewal process will be completed by sending the contract-related documents back to us and paying for renewal expenses.
  • Depending on a contract type or restriction of the apartment (ex. students only), you won't be able to renew the contract. For the detail, please contact our staff.

  If I want to leave the room in the middle of my final month, will daily rate (payment by the day) be calculated?

  • ■It varies depending on apartments. Please confirm the detail at contract.
  • ・For most apartments, we apologize daily rate will not be calculated. Whatever date in a month you leave, the whole amount equivalent to 1 month expense will be charged.
    (ex: Move-out on JAN15 → Full amount of rent for January will be charged)
  • ・For most apartments, only if you move out in MAR, we ask you move out by MAR 25, not by MAR 31st. For this reason, we will refund daily rate from MAR 26th to MAR 31st. There will be an exception about this rule, though. Please check that in advance.

  Please explain the process of cancellation (move-out) in the middle of my contract period.

  • ■Process of move-out (to resign the contract) is as follows.
  • 1. If having decided the "month" you want to move out, you need to submit an application form for cancellation at the nearest UniLife office. The form must be submitted to UniLife office 2 months before the move-out month.
    (Ex: Move-out on a day in JUN→by the end of APR / Move-out on a day in OCT→by the end of AUG)
  ※ You can get an application form for cancellation at any UniLife office. You can also get it by making an inquiry to our office.

  2. Decide the date of your actual move-out and reserve the time of our move-out check.
  ※The move-out check must be conducted after all private items are removed.

  3. Arrange cancellation of utilities like electricity, gas or water before the move-out day.

  4. Move-out notification at a local government office should be submitted around a week before the move-out day.
  (Where you submit a move-out notification is the same as where you submitted a move-in notification.)

  5. After the move-out check, we ask you to leave the room immediately.
  ※If there is something we charge you, an invoice will be sent to your new address.

When moving out, can I leave some items in the room such as trash, usable items or items that I couldn't dispose of?

• ■All trashes and items you purchased must be disposed or brought out. If something left, you might be charged for the disposal fee. Disposal before move-out should be scheduled. Also, over-seized trash such as furniture must be disposed in an appropriate way such as calling a collecting company.
• ■Items below must not be disposed.
• ◆Furniture and appliances that were provided in our furnished rooms.
  If those furniture or appliance are disposed by mistake, you will be claimed for compensation. Please be careful. Also, if there is some serious stain or scratch on them, cost for repairs or additional cleaning fee will be imposed.
  If you want to do the cleaning, please do it before the final check by us.
• ◆The set of accessories for using internet