Documents you need to rent an apartment in Japan
The exact documents most rental applications in Japan require: residence card, income proof, employment certificate, and what to prepare if you just arrived.
Next step
Check the latest conditions before you decide
Fees, campaigns, language support, and cancellation rules can change. Confirm the official conditions before applying.
Check what you will pay at move-inQuick conclusion
For a typical rental application in Japan you will need: your residence card, proof of income, an employment certificate, a Japanese phone number, and an emergency contact in Japan. Students substitute school enrollment and a parent's income proof. If you prepare scans of everything before you start viewing apartments, you can apply on the spot and beat other applicants to popular rooms.
The standard document list
| Document | Japanese name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residence card (both sides) | 在留カード | Address must be current. Short remaining validity can raise questions - renew first if possible |
| Passport | パスポート | Sometimes requested in addition to the residence card |
| Proof of income | 収入証明 | Recent 1-3 months of payslips or the annual tax withholding slip (源泉徴収票) |
| Employment certificate | 在職証明書 | Issued by your employer; shows position and start date. Allow a few days |
| Residence certificate | 住民票 | From your city office; often required at contract signing rather than application |
| Emergency contact | 緊急連絡先 | A person in Japan with name, address, and phone. They do not owe money |
| Guarantor company application | 保証会社申込書 | Almost always required - see the fee guide linked below |
Requirements differ by landlord and guarantor company, so treat this as the standard set and expect one or two extras.
If you just arrived in Japan
New arrivals often cannot show payslips yet. Most agencies know this and commonly accept:
- An offer letter or employment contract showing your annual salary
- A certificate of enrollment plus a parent's income proof (students)
- Proof of savings (a bank statement), especially for freelancers or job seekers
Be upfront about your situation on day one. Agencies can filter for landlords who accept new arrivals, which saves you time and rejected applications. Our guide to finding a foreigner-friendly apartment explains where those agencies and listings are.
The two screenings behind your application
Your application usually goes through two checks: the guarantor company's screening (income, job stability, payment history) and the landlord's own decision. The guarantor company will call you and sometimes your employer or emergency contact - answer unknown numbers that week. What the guarantor company charges and covers is explained in our guarantor company fee guide.
A working Japanese voice number is effectively mandatory here. If you only have a data SIM, fix that first - see how phone number verification works in Japan.
Timeline and money
Screening typically takes 3-7 days. After approval you receive the contract and the initial cost invoice, and you normally pay everything before getting the keys. The invoice usually includes the deposit, key money, agency fee, guarantor fee, fire insurance, and key exchange fee - the full picture with typical amounts is in initial costs when renting. Do not pay any money to "hold the room" before screening unless you receive a written note that it is refundable if screening fails.
Common reasons applications fail
- Rent too high relative to income (aim for rent within about 30 percent of gross monthly income)
- Unreachable during screening phone calls
- No emergency contact in Japan, or the contact did not know they were listed
- Very short remaining visa validity with no renewal plan explained
- Missing employment proof for a brand-new job
None of these are permanent problems. A different property, a different guarantor company, or one extra document often changes the result - and the agency can usually tell you which one it was.
Service checks
Compare support, costs, and conditions before applying
These service notes are not rankings. Use them to confirm language support, documents, fees, and cancellation rules on the official site.
| Service | Languages | Suitable for | Check before applying | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sakura MobileChecked: 2026-06-11 | English, Chinese | People who want support in English or Chinese | Check the latest fees, campaign rules, device costs, and delivery fees on the official site. | Confirm conditions |
| GTN Rent GuarantorChecked: 2026-06-11 | English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali | Residents who cannot use a Japanese personal guarantor | Confirm guarantee fees, renewal fees, and covered contract scope before signing. | Confirm conditions |
Before you apply
- ✓Scan both sides of your residence card in advance
- ✓Prepare recent payslips or your tax withholding slip
- ✓Ask your employer for an employment certificate early
- ✓Confirm you have a working Japanese phone number
- ✓Decide who your emergency contact in Japan will be
FAQ
Can I apply for an apartment without payslips?
Often yes if you just arrived. Agencies commonly accept an employment offer letter showing your salary, a work contract, or proof of savings instead. Ask the agency which alternatives the landlord accepts before giving up on a property.
How long does rental screening take in Japan?
Usually about 3 to 7 days. It can take longer if the guarantor company requests extra documents or cannot reach your emergency contact, so answer unknown phone calls during this period.
Do I need a Japanese phone number to apply?
In practice yes. The guarantor company and agency will call you during screening, and most application forms require a Japanese number. A data-only SIM without a voice number can be a problem here.
Do I need a hanko (personal seal) to rent?
Many contracts today accept a signature, but some landlords and guarantor companies still ask for a hanko. A cheap ready-made seal is usually acceptable for rental contracts. Confirm with the agency before the signing day.
How much income do I need to pass screening?
A common guideline is that monthly rent should be no more than about 30 percent of your gross monthly income. This is not an official rule, and stable employment can matter as much as the amount.
Finished reading?
Take the next step while it is fresh
You now know what to check. Compare the current conditions while they are fresh in your mind, and keep a record of what you confirm.
Check what you will pay at move-inReferences
- Guidebook on Renting Housing in Japan - Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism