• You can find accommodation by consulting a real estate agent in the area of your choice. If possible, have a Japanese person accompany you when you go.
• There are also many magazines and guides with listings of available rental properties. If you find a suitable place, directly consult the real estate agency managing it.
• Please check with the real estate agency as to what rental condition and what utility (electricity, gas, water etc.) fees are included in your rent.

※ The introduction and viewing of a property is a free service and you are under no obligation to rent or buy.
※ Foreign students can also find rooms through the Student Office
at their university or their university cooperative (Seikyo).

Osaka Prefectural Housing Corporation

06-6203-5451

HP: http://www.osaka-kousha.or.jp/chintai/g.html

Hirakata Administrative Center

072-844-1281

HP: http://www.osaka-kousha.or.jp/kousha/access_hirakata.html

Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center

06-6242-1177

HP: http://www.sumai.city.osaka.jp/

NPO Urban Renaissance Agency

06-6346-3456

HP: http://www.ur-net.go.jp/

Guarantor (Hoshonin):	The person who will take responsibility on behalf of the renter should any problems arise, for instance, with late rent payments, etc.
Deposit (Shiki-kin):	Generally equivalent to one to three months’ rent. Part of the deposit is returned at the end of the contract.
Key money (Rei-kin):	A non-refundable fee or ‘gift money’paid to the landlord.
Agent’s fee (Tesu-ryo):	A fee of about one month’s rent paid to the agent.

※ When renewing the contract, a renewal fee (Koshin-ryo) of about one to three months’ rent is necessary. The monthly rental fee may be increased at that time.
※ Remodeling and additions cannot be done without permission from your landlord (for instance, painting or hammering nails into the wall, etc).
※ According to Japanese law, it is not permissible to sublet your rental property without the landlord’s permission.
The rent for the following month must be paid by the end of the month. Apart from the rent you may also have to pay a maintenance fee (Kyoeki-hi) which in many cases is already included in the rent.

Maintenance fees are fees paid to cover maintenance and management, such as lightning at the entrance, cleaning, etc.