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Fees & Key Money

Management Fee / Common Area Fee

Management Fee / Common Area Fee

Monthly common service fee for shared corridor lighting, elevator maintenance, waste disposal, and daily common area upkeep.

Sources checked

What common-area fees cover

Common-area fees share costs such as corridor lighting and lift operation. Ask what the particular listing includes rather than assuming identical services from the fee name.

Ask whether waste services, internet, parking and in-unit utilities cost extra. Keep included and separately charged items in one list when planning living expenses.

Sources[1]

Compare the complete monthly cost

Add rent, management fees and other fixed charges, then estimate variable bills separately. A lower management fee or advertised rent alone does not establish a lower monthly total.

If a guarantee or renewal fee is expressed in months, ask which charges its base includes. Use the written quote for each calculation rather than applying one monthly figure to every fee.

Sources[2]

Practical checklist

  • List rent, management fees and other fixed monthly charges.
  • Check whether internet, parking and utilities are charged separately.
  • Confirm the calculation base for guarantee and renewal fees separately.

References

Prepared from official and public sources. Checklists are ELB reading aids; confirm specific application, fee and contract terms with the relevant organization.

  1. National Tax Agency: Residential letting
  2. MLIT: Model residential lease

Turn the fee guidance into your own budget

Enter the quoted rent, key money and guarantee fees to estimate upfront and monthly costs. Ask an advisor about any charges that are still unclear.

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Deposit & Key MoneyA deposit secures obligations such as unpaid rent, with the balance returned after move-out settlement. Key money is normally a non-refundable signing cost.Rent Guarantor CompanyA company that fulfils a guarantee to the landlord for unpaid rent or other events covered by its contract. Registration under the ministry’s rent debt guarantor scheme is voluntary.Consumption tax treatment of Japanese rental costsResidential rent in Japan is generally non-taxable; office and other business rent is generally taxable. Treatment depends on the property’s use and the nature of each charge.