How To Avoid Getting Scammed By Japanese Landlords

In this video I'll be sharing my tips on how to not get scammed by landlords in Japan. I'll also be talking about the management company and real estate broker as well. In Japan, you typically go through the real estate broker to sign a lease with an apartment, and there are so many things you should know before doing so! I hope this video comes in handy, thank you for watching and reading :)

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Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @chikanoha

FAQ:
Born and raised: Florida, USA
Currently living in: Tokyo, Japan
Moved here for: Work
Camera used to film: iPhone 13 Pro
Editing software used: Final Cut Pro

sub count: 5129

[normancengland]

I got a temp, 6-month place in Osaka and put no money down. When I moved out they wanted me to pay a month's rent to cover the white wallpaper like in your video. I refused. I mean, I was there for 6 months and told them that if they want to replace it, it's up to them because it's as clean as the day I moved in. Still, they kept hounding me about it. "Well, you're a smoker, right?" Nope. They dropped it to 1/2 a month's rent. Finally, they asked for 10, 000 yen, which I paid just to get them out of my life. My point is, I was happy to hear you address this scam and yes, that wallpaper is cheap as dirt to buy in the first place!

[Stick-a-fork-in-Gmorks-tort]

Any information that protects one from scammers is never boring. Thanks for the tips.

[EnigmaDave]

Renting a place shouldn't require a broker and other businesses and fees just to get in the door. This is one process where I think the US is better. Renting directly from the apartment's owner eliminates so many possible points of contention and fraud. Your ability to break down a complex process, and explain it so even I can follow along is impressive.

[maigematthews]

Great video!
Can you make an updated video about:
What would be the best way for an American to learn Japanese?
From a Japanese person’s perspective, if you could guide an American to learn Japanese, then what would be the most efficient tools/resources that you would recommend?
What tools/resources have your American friends used that was very successful?
What schools, books, online classes, apps would be the most valuable for an American to learn Japanese?
Thank you so much!

[russellschaeffler]

That would be a miracle if you get back anything... They go through with a white glove.

[josefanstey]

Thank you Chika😍♥️ I personally am grateful for you giving the heads up. Also be aware of criminal landlords.

[jaredoz]

This situation seems like a universal. Thank you for recommending HOW to specifically navigate it in Japan.

[idksn]

You literally saved my life with this one. Could you post some resources in Japanese if we ever need to show them to the landlords? Foreigner but not stupid lol

[everettwashington]

Enlightening video, Chika! So omotenashi is not a practiced concept with apartment leases. What's the worst story you've heard from leasing?

[mclein]

I love your videos! It's like having a friend that will provide you with a bunch of tips on how to survive in Japan.

[michaelmcgilvary]

Her Contant is just so so and so … but I just can’t look away. Chica is so cute.❤❤❤

[robertwaynefathurrahman]

i'd really scared about scam such as debt collector you know...including my country just like Indonesia 🇮🇩🇮🇩 is a highest crime about scam which is online loan, where the people owe to the loan about 1 million rupiah you can count in dollar about 100 dollars, so these evidence always happen to around people when people to pay with a owe people he early said just 100 dollars and the bill went up to 209 dollars, and it's insane for a debt collector and always yelling and endanger, so here's the story

[bonwatcher]

I am surprised that they figure the life span to be six years. That's good, but it seems like a short time. 👍

[simonfung]

Very helpful. Thank you for telling us what to look out for. If the time comes and you purchased a house in Japan, I hope you can update or do another video about what to look for in purchasing a house.

[WorkLifeJapan]

Hey Chika. It is a big problem indeed. In Hiroshima, our real estate President hired 6 foreign workers including myself to try and help change the system and make it more comfortable for people to live in Japan without language support.

Thank you for making these things known and us aware. It takes a lot of small change to make big changes we realize. Let’s change Japan for the better together. 😊

[dominichill]

Thank you for sharing this information about Land lords in Japan who will try to scam. Glad I have someone like you who had informed us on the topic.

[Judy]

what a bunch of crooks . That is good you put this video out there so others can learn from it ! I never heard of going thru so many people to rent an apartment I live in Pennsylvania, maybe in bigger cities here in the States that I am not aware of what they do . You did your research & also from your experience to help others have a lovely day

[TheFuely]

Thank you for this video, it's very interesting and important to have informations about these kind of informations.
Hopefully for me, my company offers me to do 社宅, like I choose the appartment I want to and they'll handle contract and stuff, so I think (hope?) they should be a bit better at negociating in japanese than me lmao

[chelseagirl]

you are beautiful, not a joke. we all adore you!

[robsmith]

Interesting video, great advise, thanks for sharing Chika. Have a great week ..take care and stay safe