Are Share House Move-In Costs Really Lower? Comparing Different Pricing Systems ～ Column｜Share House and Rent vol.3 ～

Hello! Come on UP operates small, community-focused international share houses in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, and Kyoto, where Japanese and international residents can naturally connect. Each house has its own concept and atmosphere, creating opportunities for new encounters and a new way of living in Japan.

You may have heard:

“Share houses are cheap because there is no deposit or key money.”

Sometimes that is true. But not always.

Japan has no single standard pricing system for share houses. Some companies charge contract fees. Others require deposits. Some include utilities. Others charge them separately. And some properties require a guarantor company.

What Does “¥50,000 Initial Cost” Actually Mean?

This is one of the most important questions to ask.

A refundable deposit and a non-refundable administrative fee are not the same thing. A deposit may be returned depending on the contract conditions and the condition of your room when you move out. On the other hand, fees such as:

○ contract fees

○ administrative fees

○ cleaning fees

○ key money

are generally not refunded.

So comparing:

“Company A: ¥80,000”vs.“Company B: ¥100,000”

does not necessarily tell you which one is cheaper. You need to look at the breakdown.

🏠Other Company A

At one major share house operator, a private room may require a ¥50,000 contract fee, plus prorated rent and other small move-in charges.

Monthly common service fees can be around ¥14,000–¥20,000, depending on the property.

The exact conditions vary between houses.

🏠Other Company B

Another operator uses different conditions for each property.　At one example property, the move-in cost includes:

one month’s rent as a deposit + a ¥16,500 contract fee.

Monthly charges also include:

¥5,500 common-area fee + ¥11,200 utility fee.

That property additionally requires a guarantor company, with a monthly guarantee-related fee.

For foreigners new to Japan, checking whether a guarantor company is required can be particularly important, as the application process may involve additional documents or fees.

🏠Other Company C

Another international share house operator charges:

¥30,000 key money + ¥15,000 cleaning fee + first month’s rent and utilities.

Monthly utility costs vary by property.

For Japanese applicants, guarantor information may also be requested. This operator emphasizes international community and cultural exchange, so the value is not only based on price but also on the type of community residents are joining.

🏠Other Company D

Another company uses a somewhat different system. It advertises:

no deposit, no key money, no agency fee, and no guarantor required.

Water, gas, electricity, and Wi-Fi may also be included in the monthly price. This can be particularly convenient for people arriving from overseas who do not want to arrange separate utility contracts immediately after arriving in Japan.

🏠Other Company E

Another operator charges:

a ¥20,000–¥40,000 deposit + ¥15,000 administrative fee + first and following month’s rent and common charges.

The common service fee is generally around ¥15,000 and may include utilities and internet. A pre-move-in interview or screening is also conducted.

🏘What About Come on UP?

At Come on UP, the basic initial cost is:

◎ First month’s rent + Utilities + Security deposit of one month’s rent

Utilities are generally ¥10,000 per month. Furniture can be added for ¥3,000 per month if needed. Come on UP does not require a guarantor company.

For the application, we generally ask for:

→ proof of income or savings

→ an emergency contact

This can make the process relatively simple for:

◎ People who have just arrived in Japan

◎ International students

◎ Working holiday residents

◎ People relocating for work

If the Application Process Is Simple, Is It Still Safe?

This is a reasonable question.

“If there is no guarantor company, can anyone move in?”

No. Come on UP uses fixed-term contracts of up to one year at a time. A share house is not just a room rental. Other people are already living in the house.

So while we aim to make the application process simple, we also need to consider the existing residents and the overall living environment.

Using fixed-term agreements allows the living arrangement to be reviewed periodically.

Six Things to Check Before Comparing Share Houses

Do not only compare rent.

Check:

How much of the initial cost is non-refundable? How much is the deposit? How much are utilities each month? Is Wi-Fi included? Do you need a guarantor company or guarantor? How much do furniture and bedding cost?

A property that appears cheap at first may have higher monthly charges. Another property may require a larger deposit, but part of it could be refundable. The important thing is to separate:

monthly rent, recurring costs, non-refundable fees, and refundable deposits.

In the final article, we will bring everything together and look at housing from the perspective of total cost over six months or one year.

▼References

Come on UP - Cost

Come on UP - Moving in flow