Moving Out of a “No Security Deposit” Apartment in Japan 

What does “restoration to original condition” (GENJYOUKAIFUKU) mean when renting apartments in Japan? 

Main Points;

・The definition and costs of “restoration to original condition” when renting an apartment.

・What to expect if you are moving out of an apartment that did not require a security deposit when you moved in.

・Foreign language consultation services for Tokyo residents who need help with contract details, moving out fees, etc.

What does “restoration to original condition” mean?

The definition of restoring to original condition

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) defines the term “restoration to original condition” as regarding “the restoration of wear and tear and damage caused by the lessee’s intentional or negligent acts, breach of the duty of care, or other uses that exceed normal use, leading to a decrease in the value of the property caused by the lessee’s residence and use. The following is a list of the types of damage and wear and tear that can occur.”

Referenced website: MLIT (in Japanese)

In simple terms, this means that <b>the tenant is responsible for the repair of any damage or stains caused by their own willful misconduct, negligence, failure to exercise due care, or use in excess of normal use during the tenancy<b>. This does not mean that the tenant is responsible for all costs related to repairs. Repair costs for normal wear and tear caused by aging or normal use are not included in the restoration fee of the property.

Essentially, when moving out the tenant is obligated to pay to repair any damage or deterioration caused by the tenant’s inappropriate usage or behavior.

The cost of restoring property to its original condition

As defined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the tenant is obligated to pay the cost of restoring the property to its original condition through the repair of any damage or stains caused by the tenant’s usage beyond normal wear and tear.

It is important to note that the definition of “restoration” is only a guideline designed to prevent problems. Any special provisions in the contract you signed when moving in will take precedence over the above definition of restoration.

When moving into a new apartment, make sure to check the contract carefully and understand the terms detailing how you will be charged for restoring the apartment to its original condition. This will help avoid problems when you move out.

How do moving out fees work when no security deposit was paid?

Moving out fees

A moving out fee is the cost to the tenant of restoring a property to its original condition when a tenant moves out.

If you paid a security deposit when moving in, the moving out fee will be deducted from this deposit. If the total cost of restoring the property is less than the security deposit, the remainder of your deposit will be refunded. However, if the cost exceeds the security deposit, you will be charged the remainder of the shortfall. 

The longer you live in a residence, the more it will deteriorate over time. Therefore, restoration does not mean that the property will be restored to exactly the same condition as when you moved in, but rather that it should be restored to its expected condition, taking into account the number of years you have lived in the dwelling. Therefore, tenants are required to pay the costs necessary to restore the property from any damage or deterioration beyond natural wear and tear.

If you did not pay a security deposit, prepare the cost of moving out before leaving

If you move into a rental apartment without paying a security deposit, you will have to pay for repairs and cleaning when you move out. The total cost will vary depending on the length of time you have been in the apartment, the size of the room, and manner of use.

Read the contract carefully when you move in. If you have any questions about the kinds of expenses you will be required to pay when you move out, make sure to ask for clarification at the time of signing the contract.

Flow of determining moving out costs

Once you have decided to move out, tell your landlord at least one month in advance that you will be moving out. If there are rules regarding notice time in the contract, you should inform the landlord within the time frame specified in the contract. Once all your belongings have been removed and there is nothing left in the room, the condition of the room will be checked in your presence and the cost of moving out will be determined within a certain period of time. After this is determined, you will be required to pay the fee within a designated period of time.

What you need to know to reduce the cost of moving out

You will be obligated to pay for restoring the property to its original condition if any of the following are found; evidence of smoking or the smell of cigarettes; scratches or odors from pets; mold or stains caused through a lack of general cleaning; scratches, dents, or stains caused through impacts or collisions; modifications to the property such as nails in the wall or other DIY measures. Many of these things can be avoided if you are careful on a daily basis. If you are moving into a rental house, knowing the necessary points and paying attention to how you treat your residence will affect the cost of moving out.

If you encounter problems with moving out fees

Information on consultation services available in foreign languages (Tokyo)

If you have problems or concerns, such as not understanding the terms of the contract or disputing the moving out fee, please consult your local Consumer Affairs Consultation Center. If you live in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Consumer Affairs Center has a telephone consultation service available in foreign languages (English, Chinese, and Korean). You can consult with an interpreter for free (though you will be responsible for call charges). 

It is also possible to make an appointment for in-person consultation. In this case, please make the appointment in advance by phone.

Common issues and advice for solving problems in rental housing

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has a website available in foreign languages (English, Chinese, and Korean) that contains examples of common problems with rental housing and advice on how to solve them. Before directly contacting advisory services, it is a good idea to check if there are examples of any similar cases for ideas on deal with issues.

Points to keep in mind about moving out costs

In rented accommodation tenants are obligated to pay for the restoration of the property to its original condition, excluding age-related deterioration. It is important that you understand and agree with the terms of the contract when you first sign a lease. If you rent accommodation without paying a security deposit when you move in, remember to prepare moving out costs in advance.

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